Winner of The Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award and The California Young Readers Medal.

Ten year old William can’t wait to play with the mysterious castle his housekeeper, Mrs. Phillips, has given him. For years she has been telling him about the old stone and wood model with its drawbridge, moat and the finger-high knight to guard the gates. And now it is his.

But when William learns that Mrs. Phillips is going back to England to live with her brother, he vows to find a way to keep Mrs. Phillips with him forever. And when he breaks the spell cast on the tiny silver knight, he suddenly knows how to do it.

But William’s big idea turns out to be the worst mistake of his life!

This is an enthralling story of magic and fantasy, which weaves the everyday problems of growing up into the age-old battle between good and evil. William’s quest takes him on a journey to a land where he must fight a ferocious dragon, a wicked wizard and worst of all, the darkness within himself.

“A satisfying quest fantasy with a strong element of modern realism which will appeal to a wide range of readers.” -School Library Journal

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Holiday House, 1985

Junior Literary Guild, 1985

Bantam Skylark edition, 1986

Irish Edition, 1992

Winner of the 1987 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award and the 1989 California Young Reader Award

Unabridged Audio Book, Listening Library, 1996

(ALA Notable Recording)

An enthralling story of magic and adventure which weaves the everyday problems of growing up into the age-old battle between good and evil.

“An absorbing fantasy…suspense and colorful details make the story special.” – Publishers Weekly

ISBN: 0823405796

Audio ISBN: 0807277878