Our Castle by the Sea

In wartime England, 1939, an insular family live and work in a lighthouse, watching over Dragon Bay in the village of Stonegate. Youngest daughter Pet is mesmerised by the Daughters of Stone and terrified of the Wyrm, the perilous sandbank/sea monster from the legends told by her father. Pet knows that her fate is to become a part of this ancient story and as the war creeps closer and closer to Stonegate, she realises increasingly just how big a role she has to play. Just like the Wyrm, Our Castle by the Sea is full of twists and turns. Be prepared for heartbreak, mystery, intrigue and suspense! The plot builds wonderfully, however, it is the human narrative which is the highlight of the book, with carefully written, complex characters who will take your breath away. Based on significant events during the Second World War such as the passing of the Treachery Act, the evacuation of allied soldiers at Dunkirk and the formation of Local Defence Volunteers, Our Castle by the Sea could easily be used to support History lessons. The treatment of refugees, foreign nationals and 'enemy aliens' in the novel also reflect similar situations in the modern world, making it a valuable read in terms of possible PSHE sessions and developing empathy generally. I would highly recommend Our Castle By the Sea as a class read and for individuals interested in history, adventure or mystery. 321 pages / Ages 9+ / Reviewed by Rhiannon Cook, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 9+