The Girl in the Tower

Gr 3–5—Ten-year-old Violet is locked away in a castle tower with her mother, where she's been held since birth. She keeps sane by enjoying a vivid imaginary life, where she pretends to be a pirate and an artist. She is heartily encouraged by her mother to always remain positive. When one day the castle's wicked queen takes an unusual interest in Violet, she is unknowingly thrust into an evil plot. Forced to decide between her true destiny and the luxurious life of a princess, Violet makes tough decisions based on character and courage rather than fantasy and greed. Lines like "If I can survive all these years in this tower, I believe I can do anything!" make Violet appealing as a fairy tale heroine. The setting, though nonspecific, is typical of traditional fairy tales in period and design. The writing style and vocabulary are accessible and the story is well paced. It could also serve as a nice read-aloud for younger listeners not quite ready for the fractured fairy tale retellings of Gail Carson Levine or Shannon Hale.