Callie's Castle
Ruth Park (author)
Kilmeny Niland (illustrator)
Angus&Robertson, Australia: 1974; 89pp
ISBN: 9780207128004
Genre: realistic fiction
Issues: adolescence, family, identity
Callie, the eldest in a loving, if somewhat noisy family, longs for a private place where she can think and grow up without the invasions of her younger siblings.
Her beloved grandfather builds her such a place, which can only be reached by a small spiral staircase. 
Ruth Park's work is always worth reading for her sympathetic characters and her understanding of the complexities of ordinary relationships. Although usually considered appropriate for younger readers (RA:8-9), older readers should at least skim it if they haven't met Callie before. Callie's Castle is a good introduction to Playing Beatie Bow.
Sequel: Callie's Family
Both books in one volume currently available through HarperCollins, ISBN: 9780732289218
Same Author: My Sister, Sif; Harp in the South; Playing Beatie Bow
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Did you know?
Gifted children vary a lot. Some are great at sports. Some have disabilities. Children can be gifted or not along one or more of a large number of dimensions. Labels like "gifted" need to be used carefully as all children are different. |
