Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Scholastic Inc.
Pages
344
Description
Moving into an inherited mansion in Maine with their mother and stroke-afflicted father, three siblings uncover a mystery involving hidden passageways, family rivalries, and healing waters.
Description
Ephraim Appledore-Smith is an ordinary boy, and up until his father’s stroke he lived an ordinary life. But all that changes when his family moves to the Water Castle—their ancestral home in the small town of Crystal Springs. Mallory Green’s family has always been the caretakers of the Water Castle—and the guardians of the legendary Fountain of Youth, hidden on the estate grounds. Will Wylie’s family has been at war with the Applegates for generations, all because of the Water Castle’s powerful secrets. When Ephraim learns of the Fountain, he’s sure finding it can cure his dad. With Mallory and Will’s help, he embarks on a quest that will blur the lines of magic and science, creativity and discovery, leaving readers left to wonder: Do you believe in the unbelievable?
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
344 p.; 8.5 inches
ISBN
054569485X / 9780545694858
Similar in this library
Lexile
690L
User reviews
LibraryThing member foggidawn
After Ephraim Appledore-Smith's father has a stroke, his mother relocates the family to Crystal Springs, Maine -- not only can Ephraim's father get better medical care there, but Crystal Springs is also the ancestral home of the Appledore family, and there is plenty of room for them in the formerly
I really enjoyed this book, though I suspect young readers may find it slow going at the beginning. The writing is solid, and the plot is tightly woven, with a few intriguing details for careful readers to discover -- and a few small mysteries left unsolved at the end, perhaps with an eye to writing a sequel? Readers who liked Natalie Babbit's Tuck Everlasting and Rebecca Stead's When You Reach Me will find that this book hits the spot.
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vacant Water Castle. Ephraim has mixed emotions about the move, and about his father's illness. He would do almost anything to see his father return to health. When he learns that some of his ancestors were obsessed with the idea that the Fountain of Youth was located there in Crystal Springs, he begins to hope that something in the town might be able to help his father. With the help of two unlikely new-found friends, Ephraim begins exploring the grounds of the Water Castle. Magic and science, the past and the present -- many unexpected discoveries await Ephraim and his friends. Will it be enough, though, to cure Ephraim's father?I really enjoyed this book, though I suspect young readers may find it slow going at the beginning. The writing is solid, and the plot is tightly woven, with a few intriguing details for careful readers to discover -- and a few small mysteries left unsolved at the end, perhaps with an eye to writing a sequel? Readers who liked Natalie Babbit's Tuck Everlasting and Rebecca Stead's When You Reach Me will find that this book hits the spot.
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LibraryThing member Mad.River.Librarian
Absolute gem. A modern, contemporary fantasy that reads like vintage Edward Edgars or Elizabeth Winthrop. Blakemore can write, and write she does, imagining the fictionalized town of Polar Springs, Maine and the intersecting lives of three kids who seek out the truth behind the magical, powerful
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healing waters of their town. I loved this book and think it would make a stellar read-aloud. Grades 4-7. Show Less
LibraryThing member kaulsu
I think this would be a fun book for the 9+ crowd, girls and boys. Finding appropriate books for boys can be challenging.
The Appledore-Smith family moves from Boston to Crystal Springs, Maine in an attempt to help their stroke-affected father be rehabilitated. The mother thinks her neurology
There is enough spookiness in this book to satisfy the under 11 crowd; teens may find it a tad too predictable. All readers may find their science interest tweaked. The flashbacks were done well and were aided by being set aside in a boxed format. I don't think young readers will find it difficult to understand this literary device.
The Appledore-Smith family moves from Boston to Crystal Springs, Maine in an attempt to help their stroke-affected father be rehabilitated. The mother thinks her neurology
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professor from medical school will give the best care. The oldest boy, Price, fits right in as an athlete. The youngest girl, Brynn, always a good student, excels in her new school. Only the middle son, Ephraim, finds himself more awkward and friendless. That is, until he makes a couple of improbable friends.There is enough spookiness in this book to satisfy the under 11 crowd; teens may find it a tad too predictable. All readers may find their science interest tweaked. The flashbacks were done well and were aided by being set aside in a boxed format. I don't think young readers will find it difficult to understand this literary device.
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LibraryThing member JalenV
When I requested The Water Castle from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program, I thought it sounded interesting. I've loved castles since I was a little girl (I'm 59 now). When my copy arrived, the cover enchanted me. The Water Castle looked just like the sort of place I would have loved to have
Because I've often been an 'open mouth, insert foot' sort myself, I could feel for poor Ephraim Appledore-Smith. I was never popular in school, either, although I didn't have the added burden of being the ordinary one between two extraordinary siblings. It doesn't help that the inhabitants of Crystal Springs are healthier, stronger, and smarter than your average person; and great things are expected of members of the Appledore family. Ephraim's first days at his new school made me cringe. (Of course his older brother and younger sister are doing just great there.)
These being modern times, it's Ephraim's mother who is a doctor and his father who was an artist before a stroke left him locked in his own body. His dad was the parent who understood Ephraim, the one he could talk things over with. All of the family want to have him back so much.
Mallory Green is a talented artist, but that doesn't make her popular at school, either. Her lack of popularity has nothing to do with the fact that she's the only African-American in class. Her mother's family, the Darlings, helped build the Water Castle and have been its caretakers since the Appledores moved to town. Mallory believed all the stories her parents told her about the castle and its magical, healing water when she was a child. She's bitter about them now because her belief in them was what made her classmates ridicule her when she entered school. She's even more bitter because her mother has moved out, leaving her father to carry on the Darling promise to care for the castle. Mallory and Ephraim may be the same age, but they don't hit it off.
Will Wylie, one of their classmates, is a loner. The Wylies have blamed the rich Appledores for their own lack of riches for generations. Will's father is particularly bitter and has reared Will in his 'it's all the Appledores' fault'. The Darlings are despised for working for that hated family. Then their science teacher assigns Ephraim as Will's lab partner. It's a good thing Mr. Wylie doesn't know about that. Certainly Will has no reason to feel inferior to such an ignoramus as Ephraim!
When Ephraim learns about the legend of the healing water, he's desperate to find it to cure his father. Will Mallory and Will help him, or get in his way?
The flashbacks to 1908-1909, involving the present-day children's ancestors: the brilliant Nora Darling, the brilliant, but eccentric Orlando Appledore, Henry Appledore, Jr.; and Will's cruel and nasty great-aunt Wilma Wylie, is just as interesting. The race to discover the North Pole that is historical fact to our present-day characters is part of the news for those in the past. Nora and Henry are extremely interested, an interest that makes them friends. Wilma has obviously set her cap for Henry, son of the wealthy water bottler and grand hotel/spa owner. She can't understand how Henry could prefer the company of Nora, who isn't even white, but her personality makes her failure to catch his eye very understandable. From the clues we're given as the book goes on, I suspect Mallory's parents are quite special.
In the present, Will, Mallory, and Ephraim (sometimes helped by Ephraim's siblings), use research and exploration to try to solve the mystery of the healing water. At the same time, they come to terms with themselves and their parents.
I know I would have loved this book when I was the age of its intended audience. That I'm old enough to be the grandmother of any member of the intended audience didn't prevent me from being enchanted by it.
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explored when I was a child (and still would, though with much less energy, alas.) Because I've often been an 'open mouth, insert foot' sort myself, I could feel for poor Ephraim Appledore-Smith. I was never popular in school, either, although I didn't have the added burden of being the ordinary one between two extraordinary siblings. It doesn't help that the inhabitants of Crystal Springs are healthier, stronger, and smarter than your average person; and great things are expected of members of the Appledore family. Ephraim's first days at his new school made me cringe. (Of course his older brother and younger sister are doing just great there.)
These being modern times, it's Ephraim's mother who is a doctor and his father who was an artist before a stroke left him locked in his own body. His dad was the parent who understood Ephraim, the one he could talk things over with. All of the family want to have him back so much.
Mallory Green is a talented artist, but that doesn't make her popular at school, either. Her lack of popularity has nothing to do with the fact that she's the only African-American in class. Her mother's family, the Darlings, helped build the Water Castle and have been its caretakers since the Appledores moved to town. Mallory believed all the stories her parents told her about the castle and its magical, healing water when she was a child. She's bitter about them now because her belief in them was what made her classmates ridicule her when she entered school. She's even more bitter because her mother has moved out, leaving her father to carry on the Darling promise to care for the castle. Mallory and Ephraim may be the same age, but they don't hit it off.
Will Wylie, one of their classmates, is a loner. The Wylies have blamed the rich Appledores for their own lack of riches for generations. Will's father is particularly bitter and has reared Will in his 'it's all the Appledores' fault'. The Darlings are despised for working for that hated family. Then their science teacher assigns Ephraim as Will's lab partner. It's a good thing Mr. Wylie doesn't know about that. Certainly Will has no reason to feel inferior to such an ignoramus as Ephraim!
When Ephraim learns about the legend of the healing water, he's desperate to find it to cure his father. Will Mallory and Will help him, or get in his way?
The flashbacks to 1908-1909, involving the present-day children's ancestors: the brilliant Nora Darling, the brilliant, but eccentric Orlando Appledore, Henry Appledore, Jr.; and Will's cruel and nasty great-aunt Wilma Wylie, is just as interesting. The race to discover the North Pole that is historical fact to our present-day characters is part of the news for those in the past. Nora and Henry are extremely interested, an interest that makes them friends. Wilma has obviously set her cap for Henry, son of the wealthy water bottler and grand hotel/spa owner. She can't understand how Henry could prefer the company of Nora, who isn't even white, but her personality makes her failure to catch his eye very understandable. From the clues we're given as the book goes on, I suspect Mallory's parents are quite special.
In the present, Will, Mallory, and Ephraim (sometimes helped by Ephraim's siblings), use research and exploration to try to solve the mystery of the healing water. At the same time, they come to terms with themselves and their parents.
I know I would have loved this book when I was the age of its intended audience. That I'm old enough to be the grandmother of any member of the intended audience didn't prevent me from being enchanted by it.
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LibraryThing member hailelib
Ephraim Appledore-Smith is the middle child, an ordinary boy sandwiched between two more than ordinary siblings. His mother is a medical doctor and his father is an artist. Ephraim is close to his father who is the one member of his family who "gets" him but then everything changes. Their father
In the town itself, there's Mallory Green whose family has always been the caretakers of the The Water Castle and Will Wylie whose family has always resented the success of the Appledores. They are Ephraim's new schoolmates and become his friends as they work together on a major school project. Not only do they join him in the research on the Arctic expeditions of Peary but they join him in trying to discover the secrets of the Water Castle.
Woven into the story are flashbacks to 1908 as told in Nora Darling's diary. Nora's family works for the Appledores and Nora and Henry Jr. become friends through their shared interest in Admiral Peary's attempt to reach the North Pole. Nora is working as an assistant to the eccentric scientist Orlando Appledore helping him in his laboratory. Both stories are about exploring the earth, exploring science, and exploring the possible magic of Crystal Springs where everyone is a little smarter, healthier, and longer lived.
I liked the ending which left things a little ambiguous, letting the reader decide if the special water was really "magic" and what the relationship between Nora and Henry became and how Mallory fit into the Darling's history. There are potentially good discussion questions for elementary students reading this book and good subjects for them to explore on their own or with a group. I would definitely recommend it for the 9 to 10 age level. And, I had fun reading it.
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has a stroke and the family moves from the city to their mother's ancestral home in a small town in Maine. The house is known as the Water Castle, built of stone and steel with secret rooms, hidden doors, tunnels, gardens and outbuildings.In the town itself, there's Mallory Green whose family has always been the caretakers of the The Water Castle and Will Wylie whose family has always resented the success of the Appledores. They are Ephraim's new schoolmates and become his friends as they work together on a major school project. Not only do they join him in the research on the Arctic expeditions of Peary but they join him in trying to discover the secrets of the Water Castle.
Woven into the story are flashbacks to 1908 as told in Nora Darling's diary. Nora's family works for the Appledores and Nora and Henry Jr. become friends through their shared interest in Admiral Peary's attempt to reach the North Pole. Nora is working as an assistant to the eccentric scientist Orlando Appledore helping him in his laboratory. Both stories are about exploring the earth, exploring science, and exploring the possible magic of Crystal Springs where everyone is a little smarter, healthier, and longer lived.
I liked the ending which left things a little ambiguous, letting the reader decide if the special water was really "magic" and what the relationship between Nora and Henry became and how Mallory fit into the Darling's history. There are potentially good discussion questions for elementary students reading this book and good subjects for them to explore on their own or with a group. I would definitely recommend it for the 9 to 10 age level. And, I had fun reading it.
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LibraryThing member melydia
When his father has a stroke, Ephraim's family moves to Maine to live in his ancestral home, a place called the Water Castle because his family used to bottle the local spring water and sell it. The town of Crystal Springs is full of unusually talented people, which makes Ephraim feel even more out
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of place. Soon, however, he begins to suspect there is something strange going on in his family's home. With the help of some new friends, he investigates a legacy that goes back more than a century. Tied into all this are the North Pole expeditions of Robert Peary, Matthew Henson, and Frederick Cook. This mix of fantasy and history and mysterious old houses is right up my alley. I liked this story as an adult, but I would have loved it in middle school. I was forever hoping for secret passages and magical relics to uncover. The story took a little bit to really get going, and the ending was a little abrupt (without technically leaving anything hanging), but otherwise it was a lovely little tale. Show Less
LibraryThing member kiesa
My son and I really enjoyed listening to this book. The main story revolves around Ephraim and his struggle to deal with the changes in his life brought on by his father's stroke. The Water Castle, the ancestral home Ephraim's family move to after his father's stroke, was fantastic. I love stories
I received this book through LibraryThing's Earlier Reviewer program.
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with houses that have secret passages and weird quirks. While the story is ostensibly about Ephraim figuring out how to "heal" his father, the other children have their own struggles that they have to work through. The book skirts the edges of fantasy but I'd consider it more realistic fiction with some minor magical elements to it. Chris Henry Coffey's narration was very good and seemed to work well with the story. Overall it was a great book and I look forward to reading more by Ms. Blakemore.I received this book through LibraryThing's Earlier Reviewer program.
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LibraryThing member polarmath
Enjoyable listen. I enjoy a good story when I have to travel and this one was good to listen to and ok to leave when I had to stop for a while.
LibraryThing member edjane
I received 'The Water Castle' by Megan Frazer Blakemore in exchange for a honest review.
After I completed listening to the audio book version I got, I felt this is a book teachers and parents would like their kids reading (or listening). Part mystery, part historical with bits of science facts, it
However, because the story switches back-and-forth between past and present and the age of the protagonists, the story is suited for a narrower age-band (10 to 13 year old). Younger kids might have a harder time following the two parallel stories unfolding almost simultaneously, while older teens might not think it's interesting enough as it doesn't have much action.
The ending might feel somewhat inconclusive to some, but I thought it was an appropriate end and a good way to introduce kids to stories that do not always end as a nicely wrapped package with a bow on top.
The narrator "Chris Henry Coffrey" was pleasant to listen to. He maintains a nice cadence and reads in a clear voice (some narrators mumble in parts making it harder to hear parts of the book or certain characters).
After I completed listening to the audio book version I got, I felt this is a book teachers and parents would like their kids reading (or listening). Part mystery, part historical with bits of science facts, it
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aims to draw kids into a story, that while hinting about magic (water that will keep you young forever), it's more grounded on more realistic world where kids have to face bewildering and confusing problems and try to make sense of why things (good and bad) happen to them and the one's they love.However, because the story switches back-and-forth between past and present and the age of the protagonists, the story is suited for a narrower age-band (10 to 13 year old). Younger kids might have a harder time following the two parallel stories unfolding almost simultaneously, while older teens might not think it's interesting enough as it doesn't have much action.
The ending might feel somewhat inconclusive to some, but I thought it was an appropriate end and a good way to introduce kids to stories that do not always end as a nicely wrapped package with a bow on top.
The narrator "Chris Henry Coffrey" was pleasant to listen to. He maintains a nice cadence and reads in a clear voice (some narrators mumble in parts making it harder to hear parts of the book or certain characters).
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LibraryThing member JRlibrary
Shockingly, this received a wonderful review in the Globe and Mail so I went out and bought it. Kept reading and reading waiting for it to get better, but I just didn't enjoy it. Obviously lots of others did since it has an average rating of 4, but for me, it was severely lacking and the ending was
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disappointing. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rachel.Seltz
Ages 10-14.
Ephraim Appledore-Smith’s family moves to the Water Castle in Maine to help their father recover from a devastating stroke. Ephraim soon hears the legend that his ancestors discovered the Fountain of Youth on the grounds. Ephraim won’t rest until he finds this healing water and saves
Two friends join Ephraim. Mallory Greene loved the castle, but she lost all belief in its stories when her mother left home. Will Wylie’s family despises the Appledores, but Will just wants to become a scientist. Interwoven throughout the children’s story is a journal written in 1908 by Norah Darling, a young African American woman working as Dr. Appledore’s research assistant.
The children are not pursuing magic precisely, but trying to understand the science behind a water that could heal and mutate a human being to live indefinitely. Closed minds are not conducive to discovery. To make the next great scientific breakthrough, the children must believe in possibilities, and there is magic in belief.
The text of this book is small, and there is some high-level vocabulary. Readers on the younger end of the spectrum will find it at an advanced level.
For any reader who likes an old-fashioned mystery, this book hits the spot with irresistible secret passageways, antique journals, and scientific puzzles. The Water Castle feels modern and vintage at once, and inspires readers to believe in their own ability to discover. Recommended.
Ephraim Appledore-Smith’s family moves to the Water Castle in Maine to help their father recover from a devastating stroke. Ephraim soon hears the legend that his ancestors discovered the Fountain of Youth on the grounds. Ephraim won’t rest until he finds this healing water and saves
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his father.Two friends join Ephraim. Mallory Greene loved the castle, but she lost all belief in its stories when her mother left home. Will Wylie’s family despises the Appledores, but Will just wants to become a scientist. Interwoven throughout the children’s story is a journal written in 1908 by Norah Darling, a young African American woman working as Dr. Appledore’s research assistant.
The children are not pursuing magic precisely, but trying to understand the science behind a water that could heal and mutate a human being to live indefinitely. Closed minds are not conducive to discovery. To make the next great scientific breakthrough, the children must believe in possibilities, and there is magic in belief.
The text of this book is small, and there is some high-level vocabulary. Readers on the younger end of the spectrum will find it at an advanced level.
For any reader who likes an old-fashioned mystery, this book hits the spot with irresistible secret passageways, antique journals, and scientific puzzles. The Water Castle feels modern and vintage at once, and inspires readers to believe in their own ability to discover. Recommended.
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LibraryThing member stined
I received the audio version of this book and had difficulty finding time to listen to the story. I was finally able to listen in a couple short trips, but just remember it is a lengthy story. The characters are fairly well developed and their difficulties are similar to those faced by most
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children. Although this book is primarily about family, it also has quite a lot of science, discovery, adventure, and maybe even a little magic.I found this story to be interesting but with a bit disappointment. I wanted the story to give a few more answers at the end and maybe even in the beginning. But i guess that's the magic of story telling. Show Less
LibraryThing member Renee.Brandon
This book is a great modern way of telling Tuck Everlasting. It is filled with adventure, mystery, and flashbacks to 1908 and 1909. Children who want to be explorers, find what they are good at, and solve problems. Each major character finds out something important about themselves. It's a great
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book to teach themes, traits, and even explorers. Definitely worth reading over and over again. Show Less
LibraryThing member kittyjay
Set in a small town in Maine, the book follows Ephraim Appledore-Smith and his family as they move into an inherited castle following his father's stroke. He quickly finds himself out of depth in the unique town, populated by extraordinary people who are just a tad smarter and stronger than
With the help of the Appledores sworn enemy, Will Wylie, and a descendant of the caretakers of the castle, Mallory, he tries to find the secrets the castle holds.
The text cuts between the kids and a journal from 1902 written by Nora Darling. The story starts out promising, though I'll admit the journal entries never really caught me and seemed to plod along until making a jump at the end to tie up the loose ends, and I found myself enjoying the adventure immensely at the beginning. Toward the end, the story falters - there are some plot holes that were never truly resolved, and the climax has more of a resigned tone than a triumphant one. The ending left several threads hanging, as if there should have been another chapter to wrap things up completely.
It also, and this is a quibble, had the worst example of Latin I've ever encountered (Nemo can teneo, which was supposed to mean "Nobody can know". As any Latin student can tell you, that... does not at all mean that).
For those minor things, however, this was an enjoyable book, and possibly the only reason I noticed these was that I have the benefit of reading it as an adult; a juvenile probably would never even pause.
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everyone else. Driven by his need to find a cure for his father, he gets caught up in an ancient legend surrounding the castle and the secret of a magical elixir supposedly drawn from the fountain of youth located somewhere on its grounds.With the help of the Appledores sworn enemy, Will Wylie, and a descendant of the caretakers of the castle, Mallory, he tries to find the secrets the castle holds.
The text cuts between the kids and a journal from 1902 written by Nora Darling. The story starts out promising, though I'll admit the journal entries never really caught me and seemed to plod along until making a jump at the end to tie up the loose ends, and I found myself enjoying the adventure immensely at the beginning. Toward the end, the story falters - there are some plot holes that were never truly resolved, and the climax has more of a resigned tone than a triumphant one. The ending left several threads hanging, as if there should have been another chapter to wrap things up completely.
It also, and this is a quibble, had the worst example of Latin I've ever encountered (Nemo can teneo, which was supposed to mean "Nobody can know". As any Latin student can tell you, that... does not at all mean that).
For those minor things, however, this was an enjoyable book, and possibly the only reason I noticed these was that I have the benefit of reading it as an adult; a juvenile probably would never even pause.
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LibraryThing member antmusic
It sounded good to me, but my 9 year old just couldn't get into it. I think he'll try again in the future.
LibraryThing member rhoadesm1
Ephraim Appledore-Smith moves to his family's ancestral home in Maine, the Water Castle, in the wake of his father's stroke. The Water Castle is a magical estate due to its "fountain of youth" on the property that is coveted by neighbors. It falls to Ephraim and his siblings to protect the Water
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Castle and its magical secrets from those who wish to take it from them. This chapter book would be a great reading choice for advanced elementary school students who are interested in the fantasy genre. Show Less
LibraryThing member michelleannlib
Uuuuuuuggggghhhhh. This was a slog, and then the ending kind of stunk. Yuck.
LibraryThing member jothebookgirl
I just didn't enjoy this book. I know many are pegging it for a Newbery hopeful. I enjoyed getting to know Mallory, Will and Ephraim. but i don't ever re,ember Teaching any middle school students that dedicated to a school project.
LibraryThing member saramcla
Moving into an inherited mansion in Maine with their mother and stroke-afflicted father, three siblings uncover a mystery involving hidden passageways, family rivalries, and healing waters.
LibraryThing member reader1009
children's fiction; fantasy/sci-fi. Frazer Blakemore manages to transport to an improbably magical setting; other elements of the story fall somewhat short (science of "fountain of youth" water is flimsy as you might expect; story is resolved quite easily and quickly for younger minds, but older
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kids will recognize that things are not necessarily back to 100%) but the characters are likeable enough. Show Less
Awards
Massachusetts Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2017)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades 3-5 — 2015)
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2015)
Lupine Award (Honor — Juvenile/Young Adult — 2013)
Mark Twain Readers Award (Nominee — 2016)
Maine Literary Award (Finalist — Young Adult — 2014)
The Best Children's Books of the Year (Nine to Twelve — 2014)
Call number
J4A.Bla