Edith Nesbit 
The Enchanted Castle 

First published in 1907, Edith Nesbit’s “The Enchanted Castle” is the story of Gerald, James, and Kathleen, three young children living in the English countryside. They discover a castle while exploring during their school holidays and they pretend that it is enchanted. While in the castle’s garden they discover what they believe to be a sleeping princess, who is actually Mabel, the housekeeper’s niece. Mabel, pretending to be a princess, tells the children that the castle is full of magic. She takes them into the castle and shows the children a treasure room and what she says is a magic ring. Much to Mabel’s and the children’s surprise, the ring truly is magical and a fantastical adventure begins. The ring can also grant wishes and the children soon learn that not all wishes should come true and they must battle with a ghost, dinosaurs, and fearsome creatures called Ugli-Wuglies before they are all safe again. “The Enchanted Castle” is a delightful and entertaining tale of adventure which continues to entertain readers of all ages more than a century after its original publication. This edition includes a biographical afterword.