Goblins in the Castle (Minstrel Book)

I first purchased this book when I was seven years old at a school book fair because I was raised by my father on The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings and the cover, title and description looked cool. I remember vividly being in second grade and being absolutely tantalized by the day or two it took for me to finish it. It was just a wonderful tale of charming adventure that immediately struck the right chord with me. I'm 21 years old now and I still find myself taking time every year or so to pick up the very copy of the book I purchased when I was 7 to re-aquaint myself with the characters and the adventure and the feeling of being so completely absorbed with a story that can't really be captured beyond grammar school levels that the rest of the world doesn't matter. This book has stood the test of time for me. It served as a fantastical escape when I was a wee lad and can still provide that exact same charm now as I finish college that I don't believe I'll ever be able to find anywhere else. Stellar book that will do nothing but encourage young people to read; it's something that's really needed today.

This is a great book. I have read it to my 4th and 5th grade students and to my own children and they have all loved it. It has just the right mix of "scary" and funny to keep the reader's (or listener's!) interest. This book is not one of Bruce Coville's best known stories, but once you read it, it WILL be one of your favorites!

I was in junior high in the early 90s when this book was for sale the school book fair. It was one of the first fantasy books I ever read, and it really made me fall in love with the genre. It's the only book I read more than 5-10 times. I still have it, though it's a bit below my reading level now. I still love the rich imagination Bruce Coville has when he wrote this book. Parents, get this for your kids. They really will love it.

Goblins in the Castle is truly one of the best works of fiction I have ever read in my life. I have read it many times over and I enjoy it every time. Nothing about it gets old to me. I have introduced the book to many of my friends and they all have borrowed and read it with sheer delight, all giving the same review of, "Goblins in the Castle rules! " This book is non-stop adventure as William, an 11 year old boy, unknowingly lets the goblin's souls out of the North Tower on Halloween night. The goblins are now loose and William has to find a way to get them back in to the tower. He has help from friends along the way such as Igor, Fauna, and Herky. Throughout the book he hears different opinions of many people and in the end, has to make a decision over what to do about the situation. Really, this book is a million times better than my description of it. I beg of you, if you only read one book in your life, read "Goblins in the Castle". It stretches the imagination, and brings out the adventure in us all.

I am a 5th grade teacher, and I enjoy reading this book to my class every year. The students really seem to enjoy the book, especially when I "do the voices". I have just about read the cover off my copy (literally). Of course, I have had some help. Every year after I read it to the class, at least three of the students ask to read it themselves. (A definite plus!)"Goblins" has all the elements of fantasy, so it works in nicely when discussing that type of book. Bruce Coville really did an outstanding job with this one. I really take a great deal of delight in "torturing" the students by reading only a chapter or two a day. Mr. Coville did an awesome job building suspense at the end of each chapter. It makes for GREAT cliffhangers!If you teach upper elementary, or if you have children aged 8-12 that you read to, and you don't own this book, then SHAME ON YOU! This one is a must. I have yet to have a class that didn't enjoy this book (even when I taught 6th grade). However, if you don't "do the voices" you are missing half the fun.I have heard a *rumor* that Bruce Coville is working on a prequel to _Goblins in the Castle_. One can only hope.Mike Frazier