Castle Hangnail by Ursula Vernon

This is one of those books that I thought I should read because it was new in our library and looked like a good book for fourth grade readers. Honestly, I had the preconceived notion that it wasn't going to be for me. It's kind of like when I went see Frozen begrudgingly. Both that movie and this book had me very pleasantly surprised. This is a charming and clever story about a deteriorating castle whose misfit minions are in need of a master, and a 12-year old girl who really needs a special place to grow into a full-fledged witch.

When little Molly shows up at the castle's massive front door, the guardian, who Molly names Majordomo, is very skeptical. For Molly to be declared master of the castle, she first needs to complete a list of tasks provided by the Board of Magic. Molly proves her skills by successfully smiting and blighting and she begins to earn the quirky castle residents' trust. Will the arrival of an evil sorceress with chiseled cheekbones ruin Molly and the minions' plans to save the castle?

This book is more of a tender-hearted romp than a scary story. It is filled with charming characters and clever wordplay. If your middle-grade reader has read Ursula Vernon's Dragonbreath or Princess Hamster series, I am certain they will love this book. And, as in those books, Ms. Vernon does all her own illustrations. This book would also be for fans of the Tuesdays at the Castle series by Jessica Day George.