The Castle in the Attic

September 1, 1985
An author admired for realistic novels, Winthrop presents an absorbing fantasy about William Lawrence, 10. When Mrs. Phillips prepares to return to her native England, William grieves. She has taken care of him through the years while his parents have been away at work. Mrs. Phillips's parting gift to the boy is a medieval castle, authentically complete, but with only one small figure, a knight. Picking up the knight, William is thrilled when it comes to life. The knight tells of the times when a wizard had spellbound all the king's subjects and unsurped the throne. But William is more interested in the tiny man's magic amulet and he uses it to shrink Mrs. Phillips, to keep her in the castle. Then his conscience insists that he miniaturize himself and join the two in the fight to undo the wizard and restore the kingdom. Suspense and colorful details, as well as a gentle moral percept, make the story special.

February 1, 1986
Gr 4-6 -A satisfying quest fantasy with a strong element of modern realism which will appeal to a wide range of readers. Ten-year-old William is so distraught at the idea of his beloved housekeeper/nanny Mrs. Phillips returning to England that, with the aid of a magic token, he shrinks her into the size of the toy knight which inhabits a wooden castle that has been passed down in her family for generations. To undo his rash deed, William must be miniaturized himself and accompany the silver knight, Sir Simon, on a quest to overthrow Alastor, a wicked magician who long ago usurped the throne of what should have been Sir Simon's kingdom. William's pure and gentle heart enables him to triumph over both the magician and his own childish yearning to possess Mrs. Phillips. The plot is carefully constructed. William's real-life situation is a strong component of the story rather than a device whereby he can enter the fantasy world. His too-busy parents and his struggle to be mature enough to let Mrs. Phillips go are juxtaposed with his quest and struggle to defeat Alastor. Both William and Mrs. Phillips are sympathetic, well-developed characters. In contrast, William's pediatrician mother and architect father are sketchy, both in William's emotional life and in the author's realization of them. Adults may find the theme that a pure heart can triumph over evil is a bit overstated, and fantasy buffs may desire a more fully developed fantasy world, but for young readers new to fantasy this will be successful. Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, N.J.