There May Be a Castle

There May Be a Castle

Eleven-year-old Mouse is travelling to see his grandparents on Christmas Eve with his mother and two sisters. But it’s snowing, and visibility is bad, and the car goes off the road, and crashes.

Mouse is thrown from the car.

When he wakes, he’s not in his world any more. He meets a sheep named Bar, who can only say Baaa, and a sarcastic horse named Nonky, who is a surprising mix of his beloved toy horse and his older sister.

So begins a quest to find a castle in a world of wonder – a world of monsters, minstrels, dangerous knights and mysterious wizards; a world of terrifying danger but also more excitement than Mouse has ever known.

But why are they looking for a castle? As the cold grows, we realise it might just have something to do with the family he’s left behind; and that Mouse’s quest is more important than ever.

This is a novel about the power of stories to change the way we view the world – and it’s about the power of a child to change their own world. Emotionally arresting but ultimately uplifting, this is a remarkable novel for our times.

Publisher: Quercus Children's Books
Published: 05/10/2017
ISBN: 9781848668621

Awards

PEOPLE'S BOOK PRIZE FINALIST 2018
NOMINATED FOR CARNEGIE MEDAL
A TIMES CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR
A SUNDAY TIMES CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE WEEK
THE BOOKSELLER BOOK OF THE MONTH
BOOK FOR KEEPS BOOK OF THE WEEK

Reviews

“Sheer originality…shows Piers Torday is one of the best writers working for children today”
Tony Bradman, THE GUARDIAN

“The new master of children’s books”
Alex O’Connell, THE TIMES

“If you were to dislike this book, I would not be your friend!”
OMER (age 11)

“Original, ingenious and bold…I am still reeling”
Nicolette Jones, THE SUNDAY TIMES

“An outstanding book and a future classic”
THE SCHOOL LIBRARIAN

“Not many books change readers’ view of the world – this might be one of them.”
Andrea Reece, LOVEREADING4KIDS

“Proves that stories really matter. They really do.”
THE BOOKBAG

“Another fantastic tale from Piers Torday and not one to miss”
CAROUSEL

“Brimming with humour, beautifully described…and the tension never breaks”
Philip Womack, SCOOP