I Had Seen Castles

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Summary: I Had Seen Castles
Review: I Had Seen Castles is a touching story which tells the struggles, horrors, and triumphs one family experienced during World War II. It's about a "teenage rebel," John, who wants to get away from Pittsburgh and fight in the war. John is uncertain about his future and his family's future. John meets Ginny, a bright girl who doesn't believe in fighting. Even with two completely different opinions they become great friends. But once John reaches the enlistment age, he joins the war. There, he learns how wrong it is to fight and how it will affect his life forever.

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Summary: The effect was numbing . . . left me amazed, silent.
Review: I have known Rylant as a writer of children's books from a middle school teacher's point of view and have never been disappointed. However, I Had Seen Castles presents a side to her writing I have not seen. Although a very quick read, the power of this small book lies in its narration, overwhelmingly rich in many poignant scenes dealing with life, death, coming of age, first love. I had to stop many times to reread passages simply because of their effect. Although too mature in some ways for a class of mine, what wonders a highschool lit teacher could weave with this book. Overall a beautiful, moving piece which should be read by everyone, regardless of their age, gender, or profession.

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Summary: If you read only one book this year, let it be this one!
Review: I have not read many books until recently and this is one that I am glad I had the opportunity to read. The book expresses such a powerful antiwar message at such a time when war war was encouraged. It was very easy for me to slip into John's shoes throughout the book and often times found myself looking to the sky.

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Summary: Must read
Review: I have not read many books until recently and this is one that I am glad I had the opportunity to read. The book expresses such a powerful antiwar message at such a time when war war was encouraged. It was very easy for me to slip into John's shoes throughout the book and often times found myself looking to the sky.

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Summary: Exciting Easy Reader
Review: I just finished reading this book and I loved it! It told historical facts and what was going through soldier's minds, yet it was also a light love story. It is easy to read and not too complicated, I think everyone should read this book!

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Summary: I use this book in a tenth grade honors English class.
Review: If you want a book that shows kids great writing, this is it. A quick read but one which every one of my students loves. In a few short pages, Rylant demonstrates the power of her pen.

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Summary: Brilliant and tragic.
Review: Never have I been so moved by a book before. I Had Seen Castles is a moving, haunting, brilliant, powerful picture of war that left a great impact upon me. I would bet anything that anyone who reads this won't come out the same. The book presents such a powerful, true anti-war message. Every aspect of this novel is woven together so perfectly.

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Summary: Short but Deep
Review: One word came to me when I finished this short novel: profound. It switched from the present tense: a 67 year old man in Toronto, writing his memoirs, to the memoirs themselves: the man as a 17 year old boy preparing to fight in WWII. It was written in sparse prose, but the brief words easily conveyed the feelings of the boy as he faced the reality of war. It was a quick read but one that I know will stay with me for a long time. I would strongly suggest this novel to anyone interested in WWII, or anyone in the mood for a profound read.

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Summary: Vivid, poetic, instant classic.
Review: The author has painted a trully meaningfull and thought provoking picture of war, and of love, and of life, and of innocence, and of innocence lost. A short read that will leave a lifelong mark on it's reader. I challenge anyone who reads this book to come away from it the same person.

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Summary: Leia's Review
Review: The book "I Had seen Castles" is an exciting novel By Cynthia Rylant. It is about a young man, named John Dante, who loved a castle toy set when he was little. Now he can't wait until his 18th birthday to enlist for World War 2. John's father is called away to a secret nuclear plant and is missed very much by John. But then he meets the most perfect girl named Ginny. She is totally against the war. Ginny tries to change John's mind, but her efforts fail, and he goes into the war. On the battlefield, John sees a castle, but he hates what he sees that is going on all around it. People are being shot and killed and blown to pieces. John returns home from the war, to find Ginny gone. It is a terrible loss in his life. He feels he has to move to France, where people understand what happened. From there he moves to Toronto. He wishes to say to Ginny, "I want you to know that I am really alive. And I still love you." It is a short love story with a good point and a great ending!