Parents' Guide to The Girl in the Castle

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Common Sense Media Review

Michael Berry By Michael Berry , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

Troubled teen exists in two eras in suspenseful thriller.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 13+

Based on 5 kid reviews

What's the Story?

As THE GIRL IN THE CASTLE opens, a teen psychiatric patient known as Hannah Doe is found half-naked and screaming on the street. She's taken to a hospital for observation and insists that she also lives as a peasant in 1397. A compassionate medical student, Jordan Assan, takes a special interest in her case, unearthing clues that may hold the key to her sanity.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say ( 5 ):

Time travel is a potent element to add to a thriller, and this psychological mystery pulls it off. Co-authors James Patterson and Emily Raymond wring the maximum amount of suspense out of their haunting scenario in The Girl in the Castle. Hannah is a powerful main character -- in whichever time frame she finds herself. The ending comes with plenty of surprises.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how The Girl in the Castle is split between two timelines. Why did the co-authors choose that structure?

  • How did feudalism work during the Middle Ages? Why were people like the Baron so powerful?

  • What behaviors might send a teen to a psychiatric ward for evalution?

Book Details

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