When I discovered that Sharon Creech had written a book with a castle I was excited and intrigued. The cover, with it’s intricate illustrations reminiscent of an illuminated manuscript drew me in. Sadly, the apex of my interest in the story occurred before I even started it. Once I was reading, the story completely and utterly failed to capture my imagination.
Pia and Enzio are orphans who discover a pouch belonging to the king. They quickly discover that a thief is sought and worry they will be accused of its theft. At the same time, they are reluctant to part with their find. Back at the castle, there lives a King who is neither observant, intelligent or brave, his wife, who is wiser than she generally shows, a completely airheaded princess and two princes who are nearly opposites. The elder prince, the heir, is far too dreamy. The younger is too rash and prone to violence. There are of course a cast of characters who support the story, but none are drawn much more deeply than the central characters. As with many fairy tales, both the characters and the reader are supposed to learn something from the story, but this one is far too dull to make any real impression on its readers. In terms of complexity, I would say this could be read by advanced third grade readers and up. If they don’t fall asleep in the middle, of course.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – The prince wishes a girl were eligible to be his wife. During a horseback right a boy’s arms are around a girl. A girl thinks a boy is handsome.
Profanity – “idiot,”
Death, Violence and Gore – A man threatens to hit children with a leather strap if they do not pay attention. Two children who are no longer with their parents speculate about what might have happened to them, including that they might have fallen off a cliff. Prince Vito proposes that they hear a story where a prince kills a thief. In a story the Wordsmith tells the thief is dying, pierced by a sword. Also in the Wordsmith’s story the thief attempts to poison the king but instead a boy dies. The Count tells about some he knows who was poisoned. Supposedly the poisoner was hanged. The prince and Enzio fence. A father died while working in the fields. A mother died in childbirth.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – A man drinks ale. Wine is drunk at dinner.
Frightening or Intense Things – Pia and Enzio are kidnapped and brought to the castle.
