Genre: children’s fantasy

This was one of the most delightful books I’ve read in a long time! My only regret is not having read it sooner—I would have absolutely loved it as a child. But better late than never. 🙂

Aside from the playful writing style and quirky fantasy world, the sibling relationships in this story really shine. The author does an incredible job of depicting siblings who don’t always get along—but who always love each other, and are able to work together when they really need to.

I also appreciated that the story didn’t feel sanitized or condescending. The action stays at an age-appropriate level, but the stakes are high and the story is exciting. Despite the betrayals in the story, the mood never bordered on cynical, and the children found several friends and allies in unexpected places.

As far as plot goes, I kinda saw the ending coming . . . but that’s also normal for me. (I’m not always a very fun person to watch movies with. . . .) But there were a lot of twists and turns along the way, and the ingenuity and teamwork of the children was an absolute delight.

So all in all, Tuesdays at the Castle is a charming and delightful middle grade fantasy with beautiful sibling relationships. Any child who likes fantasy or fairy tales should enjoy it, and it would make a great family read-aloud for all ages! And, as proven by my own experience, a lot of adults will enjoy it, too.

You may have noticed I’m deviating from my typical review structure—like in this book review—in this review. I’m not sure which one is more appealing to readers. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!