The Ravens of Castle Keep

For many children, the idea of attending school in a possibly haunted, treasure-filled castle would be daunting; however, for Marcy, it is a dream come true. After her mother is in a car accident, her father sends her to school in a real castle. After settling in and meeting her classmate Ryan, they imagine things like ghosts and werewolves living in the school. Soon, with talks of treasure, efforts to save the castle, and new bird friends, life turns into a full-blown adventure. The Ravens of Castle Keep by Angel Dunworth is a fast-paced story about friendship, family, and the unexpected connections one can form with the natural world. Written for children, the book tackles significant issues such as injury, death, and bullying in age-appropriate ways, focusing on Marcy’s inner monologue about the situations she and Ryan face. As the two become friends with the ravens on the roof, they find an outlet for their time and collective grief while also learning to view the world around them differently. Writing from Marcy’s point of view, Dunworth excels at capturing a child’s perspective, from the imaginative roles given to the castle staff to the ideas about ghosts and treasure. Despite the sparse castle setting, the supporting characters are given ample personality, including the ravens, who are developed with distinct traits. Interspersed between the chapters are illustrations of corvids, accompanied by facts about ravens and crows, providing educational insights that enhance the story. This fun addition helps immerse readers further into the narrative. As Marcy and Ryan grow closer, each feeding off the other’s strengths, it becomes increasingly clear that family is about more than blood relations. The Ravens of Castle Keep is a delightful children’s story with moments of heartbreak, enriched by the corvid facts and a sense of adventure that permeates the entire book. The ending was purely delightful. Writing for children is often more challenging than it appears, but Dunworth has done an exceptional job with this one!