The Children of Castle Rock

by Natasha Farrant

Key information 

Author: Natasha Farrant

Cover artist: David Dean

Release Date: 1st March 2018

Star rating: ★★★★★

Book type: Chapter, 320 pages

Genre: Adventure

Reader level: Confident reader, Shared read 7+

Age: Year 4+

Overview

The Children of Castle Rock by Natasha Farrant is a middle-grade adventure novel that follows Alice Mistlethwaite, an imaginative and introspective girl sent to an unconventional boarding school in the Scottish Highlands after the death of her mother. At Stormy Loch Academy, Alice befriends Jesse—the youngest of four brothers longing for adventure—and Fergus—a highly intelligent boy grappling with his parents' acrimonious divorce. 

The school organizes a three-day orienteering challenge, during which Alice receives a secret package from her estranged father, with instructions to deliver it to a remote Scottish island. Determined to reconnect with her father, Alice persuades Jesse and Fergus to deviate from the planned route and embark on a perilous journey across the rugged Scottish landscape. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles, including treacherous weather and mysterious pursuers, testing their resilience and the strength of their friendship. 

Throughout their adventure, the trio confronts personal challenges: Alice struggles with her father's unreliability and her grief over her mother's death; Jesse seeks to prove himself beyond the shadow of his older brothers; and Fergus copes with the emotional turmoil stemming from his family situation. Their journey becomes one of self-discovery, highlighting themes of friendship, trust, and personal growth. 

Additional teaching opportunities 

Vocabulary

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