| The Castle in the Attic | |
|---|---|
First edition cover |
|
| Author(s) | Elizabeth Winthrop |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject(s) | Fantasy |
| Genre(s) | Children's Books |
| Publisher | Holiday House |
| Publication date | August 1985 |
| Pages | 137 |
| ISBN | 0823405796 |
| Followed by | The Battle for the Castle |
The Castle in the Attic is a children's fantasy novel by Elizabeth Winthrop, first published in 1985. The novel has won the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award and the California Young Reader Medal.[1] It has also been nominated for twenty-three state book awards.[2]
William is given a realistic model of a castle by the housekeeper, who tells him that it has been in her family for many years and that its silver knight is said to be under a spell. The silver knight, Sir Simon, comes to life and tells William stories about olden times. They enter the castle and find themselves in the Middle Ages. They go together on a quest against a dragon and an evil wizard.
Jennifer Hadlock writing for Teacher Link said "This book can be used effectively to teach a unit on the Middle Ages. It is a great book for teaching about the architecture of the time period with its descriptions of castles and the surrounding territory. The issue of how an effective ruler should govern the country, as well as the rules which govern society, can be taught. The book also has an underlying theme of overcoming fears so this would also be good to address".[3]
Carol Otis Hurst writing for Teaching K-8 Magazine said, "The fantasy must be grounded in reality in order for us to "get into it". Sometimes the author accomplishes this with attention to detail, sometimes by showing us the real world that surrounds the magic, sometimes by giving us very believable characters. Which techniques did Elizabeth Winthrop use? When, if ever, did she stretch your credulity too far?" [4]