The Girl Who Kept the Castle

An utterly enchanting escapade with the promise of bigger adventures to come.

Bursting with empathy and magical delights. 

When vainglorious Wizard West--one of the four wizards responsible for maintaining the balance of magic on the island of Solum--dies in his sleep and becomes a ghost, his pride won't allow him to accept such a mundane death. So, it's up to the members of his estate staff, including the groundskeeper's 12-year-old daughter, Faye Gardner, to pretend all is well while helping West conduct a highly publicized contest to select his successor. As the contestants descend upon his castle, Faye--who reads as white and sports feline features thanks to one of West's curses--is run ragged trying to keep the spirit focused, the contest on track, and the estate's magical creatures safe. She must also use her own clandestine talent for spells despite a prohibition against unauthorized (i.e., non-wizard) magic. And if a successor isn't chosen soon, the magic maintaining the castle will vanish, and the structure will crumble. Graudin (The World Between Blinks) offers a heartfelt romp featuring a resourceful heroine and an engrossing setting. Faye's struggle to preserve her home and prove her own worth in the face of societal restrictions and Wizard West's ego proves satisfyingly upbeat and all-around entertaining. Ages 8-12. Agent: Tracey Adams, Adams Literary. (June)

Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 4-6--Twelve-year-old Faye Gardener was feeding kitchen scraps to the castle's dragon when she was chosen to inform Wizard West that he died in his sleep and is now haunting the castle as a ghost. He is no longer able to renew the foundation spells that keep the castle Celurdur standing and needs to find an apprentice before the next full moon. West, a temperamental and self-absorbed man, decides to host a competition to choose his successor. Wizard West's bumbling efforts to maintain his reputation as one of the kingdom's four official wizards puts Celurdur and all of its inhabitants in grave danger. Not only is the semi-sentient castle beginning to collapse, but the evil Shadow Queen is stirring from her prison and sending her smoke rats to infiltrate Celurdur. Now, on top of her usual chores (such as gathering the cockatrice eggs and collecting moonfruit), Faye must try to save the only home she's ever known from ruin. Faye is an endearing, plucky, and resourceful heroine. The story's many characters show developing emotional depth at all the right times, and the descriptions of the kingdom's magic are marvelous. VERDICT An enchanting middle grade fantasy and excellent start to this adventurous duology.--Maria Martin

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Exquisitely charming and outrageously fun, The Girl Who Kept the Castle is the latest spellbinding story from the formidable imagination of Ryan Graudin. Magic and humor dance off the page, and readers looking for a tale of heartwarming adventure and escape won't be able to put it down." — Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of the Aru Shah series

"This addicting read is packed with charm, heart, and enchanting characters who will wrap their hands, paws, and claws around your heart and never let go. It is an essential magical read for every young witch and wizard!" — Jessica Khoury, bestselling author of The Mystwick School of Musicraft

"Everything Ryan Graudin touches turns to magic. She's the most enchanting writer I know." — Amie Kaufman, New York Times bestselling author of the Elementals trilogy

"The Girl Who Kept the Castle has it all—an enchanted castle, dead wizard, vegetarian dragon, ancient talking cat, and a bighearted girl determined to save the place she loves. This heartwarming page-turner will thrill fans of fantasy fiction—and all readers!" — Mary Alice Monroe & Angela May, New York Times bestselling authors of the Islanders series

"A whimsical adventure that instantly swept me away! Ryan Graudin has masterfully woven a tale that is incredibly enchanting from the eye-catching first line all the way to the stunning ending!" — Julie Abe, author of the Eva Evergreen and Tessa Miyata series

"This fantastic duology starter conjures a world full of magic, mystery, and merriment, and wonderful world building puts readers in the thick of it. An utterly enchanting escapade with the promise of bigger adventures to come." — Booklist

"Marvelous. An enchanting middle grade fantasy and excellent start to this adventurous duology." — School Library Journal

"Descriptions of magic imbue the story with life. The book replicates the whimsy and subtle feminism of Hayao Miyazaki's work. Bursting with empathy and magical delights." — Kirkus Reviews

"Sharp and clever. This duology opener offers plenty of resolution, while also leaving whole swaths of storylines wide open for the second volume; readers will likely eagerly anticipate seeing what Faye will do next." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Graudin offers a heartfelt romp featuring a resourceful heroine and an engrossing setting. Satisfyingly upbeat and all-around entertaining." — Publishers Weekly