I have been in full homeschooling mode over the past few months, so this blog is going to naturally become more homeschool focused.
We just finished reading The Castle in the Attic, by Elizabeth Winthrop. It was a book which appealed to my pre-teen son, and kept his interest somewhat piqued throughout.
The story is about a boy named William who refuses to allow his long-time nanny to leave. So, he uses a magic token to shrink her and keeps her hidden in a castle in his attic, along with a knight. The story tells of the adventures William has with the Silver Knight as they venture out for battle an evil ruler, Alastor, to reclaim the other half of the token, which will also restore Mrs. Phillips, (the nanny) for her full stature.
I enjoyed the book for the medieval references and terms that we don't use in conversation today. In fact, my son wrote a paragraph about portcullises after researching what they are and for what they were used.
Initially, I was hesitant to read this book with my son. My now-ninth-grade daughter did not find this book enjoyable at all four years ago. There are no strong young female characters in this book, so perhaps my daughter could not relate to any of the characters. I am glad I revisited this book and read it again through the eyes of my son.
We just finished reading The Castle in the Attic, by Elizabeth Winthrop. It was a book which appealed to my pre-teen son, and kept his interest somewhat piqued throughout.
The story is about a boy named William who refuses to allow his long-time nanny to leave. So, he uses a magic token to shrink her and keeps her hidden in a castle in his attic, along with a knight. The story tells of the adventures William has with the Silver Knight as they venture out for battle an evil ruler, Alastor, to reclaim the other half of the token, which will also restore Mrs. Phillips, (the nanny) for her full stature.
I enjoyed the book for the medieval references and terms that we don't use in conversation today. In fact, my son wrote a paragraph about portcullises after researching what they are and for what they were used.
Initially, I was hesitant to read this book with my son. My now-ninth-grade daughter did not find this book enjoyable at all four years ago. There are no strong young female characters in this book, so perhaps my daughter could not relate to any of the characters. I am glad I revisited this book and read it again through the eyes of my son.