Deadman’s Castle – Iain Lawrence, Margaret Ferguson Books/Holiday House, (9780823446551), 2021
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5
Genre: Mystery
What did you like about the book? At the age of five, Igor (first name he picks himself), now twelve, has had to move at the drop of a hat because his father witnessed something that put a man in jail – and the man’s father swore he would seek retribution. So every time The Lizard Man shows himself the family (now with 5-year-old Bumble) grabs their meagre belongings and moves where the Protectors tell them. This time they have settled in a town that begins to look familiar to Igor. And Igor cannot take any more; he insists upon going to school where he makes friends and is very happy even with the number of restraints his father places upon him. One of his friends, to whom Igor confides, insists that it is a hoax, that the father is crazy. Is he? Spoiler alert: he’s not.
In an afterword Lawrence explains how the story mirrors his own childhood with the absence of a Lizard Man.
Anything you did not like about the book? No.
To whom would you recommend this book? Give this to kids who like a strong involved mystery with very believable characters and where the reader really does not know what’s going on and can’t wait to find out.
Who should buy this book? Public and elementary school libraries
Where would you shelve it? J Fiction
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? It’s worth it!
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Katrina Yurenka, Retired Librarian, Administrator, Youth Services Book Review
Date of Review: 7/27/2021
Youth Services Book Review 
You must be logged in to post a comment.