Reviewed by William Rowen Healthy Roar reporters
Max’s Castle
Written by Kate Banks
In Max’s Castle, three boys are using alphabet blocks and their imaginations to tell an adventure story. They use the blocks to spell out rhyming words that help them escape from the dungeon of a castle.
Even though the story isn’t specifically about health, the fourth grade Rowen readers thought that reading and using your imagination are both healthy things to do because they get you off screens and give you a chance to work together with friends.
The illustrations in Max’s Castle help tell the story because the blocks spell out the words they are as tools. For example, in the story, an “adder” becomes a “ladder,” and the ladder helps the boys escape from the dungeon.
All three reviewers of this book said they enjoyed it because they liked how the boys use their imaginations. The story is exciting but not violent.
The reviewers said most people would enjoy this book—especially kids who can read harder words.
This book could be good for students who want to be inspired to use their own imaginations.
