Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors (Children of the Red King Series #4) by Jenny Nimmo

From the Publisher

Charlie Bone’s power takes on a new dimension at Bloor’s Academy in Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors. There is a new cast of characters, including Mr. Pilgrim’s replacement, Tantalus Ebony, and the mysterious new student Joshua Tilpin, who appears to be magnetic. Billy has been adopted by a mysterious couple and is locked up in an odd place called The Passing House. Meanwhile, Charlie and Olivia discover the secret of the Castle of Mirrors, and along with Uncle Paton, they must free Billy before it is too late.

Leah Hanson - Children's Literature

Charlie Bone hears voices. Not just any voices—he hears voices of people in paintings and photographs. As one of the endowed children descended from the Red King, Charlie is part of a magical, mysterious group trying to keep the forces of good in the world balanced with the forces of evil. In this latest installment in the "Charlie Bone" series, readers begin a new school year with Charlie and a new cast of interesting characters. A new teacher, Tantalus Ebony, is frighteningly stern at times and at others, droopingly drowsy. A new student seems to be literally magnetic and up to no good. Surrounded by old friends and new, Charlie sets out to save his friend Billy from his new adopted parents, while investigating a mysterious phantom horse and a castle made of mirrors. Despite his unusual abilities, Charlie remains an approachable, empathetic character as he struggles with his personal desire to find his missing father. The cast of characters and their magical abilities is vast, and a genealogy chart and prologue are necessary additions to help unfamiliar readers understand the relationships within the book. However, the variety and creativity of this magical world are sure to please fantasy readers. 2005, Orchard Books/Scholastic, Ages 12 up.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-Charlie Bone is off on another action-packed adventure in this recording of Jenny Nimmo's fourth book (Orchard Books, 2005) in the Children of the Red King series. Listeners will need to be familiar with the previous books in the series in order to follow the extended cast of characters and their endowments-magical gifts that are bestowed upon descendents of the Red King-or they will become lost in the quickly moving plot. Charlie begins his second year at Bloor Academy with a bang, receiving detention his very first morning back at school. A literally magnetic new student, a mystical white horse, an ethereal woman with a gift for plants, and young Billy Raven, who can talk to animals, each play a substantial part while Charlie is swept up into a mystery revolving around the Castle of Mirrors during his ongoing search for his missing father. Subtle humor brings a lighter touch into the convoluted and shifting loyalties among the students and instructors at Bloor. Actor Simon Russell Beale reads with aplomb and grace, giving each character, whether man or beast, a distinct voice that makes the many players come to life. A good purchase for both school and public libraries where the series is popular.-Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

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