Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle by Hayao Miyazaki
Miyazaki, H. (2004). Howl's moving castle. San Francisco: VIZ Media, LLC
ISBN: 1421500906

Plot

Eighteen year old Sophie is placed under a curse by the Witch of Waste that turns her into a 90 year old woman. Howl is a wizard  who lives in a large moving castle. Sophie is ashamed and runs and hides in Howl's moving castle. She makes friends with Calcifer the fire demon who powers the castle. Howl and Calcifer are joined by a mysterious curse. Howl allows Sophie to stay and clean his castle. He is troubled and unhappy. Sophie and Howl become friends. Eventually they must defeat Suliman, the royal sorceress of His Majesty of Kingsbury who secretly runs the kingdom and wants Howl's heart for herself. Sophie travels to the past and discovers that Calcifer was once a falling star who was caught by Howl. To save the star, Howl had given him his heart. This is why Howl can never give his heart to another. Sophie returns to the present. She places an injured and fading Calcifer into Howl's chest and they both are restored to health. Suliman gives up here quest to control Howl's heart. Howl and Sophie admit their love for each other.

Critical Evaluation

This is a story about self love, humility and forgiveness. The curse on Sophie can only be lifted by Sophie when she learns how to love herself and accept love. She forgives the witch who has cursed her. Howl must regain his heart by accepting the help of another. This is a picture book, but it is of interest level to anyone who loves anime. It is based on Diana Wynne Jones' award winning novel of the same name. The illustrations are by Japanese anime master Hayao Miyazaki. This book is not to be missed by anime aficionados.

Readers Annotation

This is an amazing adventure set in a fantasy world illustrated by anima master Hayao Miyazaki. This book is a must read for anime/fanasy aficionados.

About the Author

Diane Wynne Jones was born in London in 1934. She is a British writer of fantasy novels for children and adults. Born in 1941, Hayao Miyazaki an Academy Award winning Japanese animator. Miyazaki's stories often involve the themes of humanity's relationship to nature, the pitfalls of technology and the difficulty of maintaining a nonviolence. He is immensely succesful in Japan and has enjoyed crossover success in the United States with Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away. He was named one of the Time 100 Most Influential people in 2005.

Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts, Art

Booktalk Ideas: Self love, forgiveness

Reading Level: Grade 4+
Interest Level: Grade 4+
Challenge Issues: None

This book is included because it is a beautiful picture book targeting the early tween audience.