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Opening in January of 1285, this work of picture-book historical fiction chronicles one year in the life of Tobias Burgess, a knight's son who sets out for his uncle's castle, there to become a page. Presented as a diary, the story here follows Toby as he learns what life in a castle is like, and becomes accustomed to his new duties, from waiting upon his aunt, Lady Elizabeth, to studying Latin with the Chaplain. There are adventures as well, as he goes on his first hunt, sees his first jousting tournament, befriends a poacher, and participates in a great feast for a visiting earl. When Christmas comes, he learns that his father is coming to take him home for a visit. The book closes with a detailed afterword giving more information about Toby's time...

British author Richard Platt has penned four of these historical diaries, one of which, Egyptian Diary: The Journal of Nakht, so impressed me that I decided to seek out the others. Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess, Page was every bit as informative and entertaining as that other volume, and appears to be the first of the four titles published. It pairs an engrossing story of a young boy who finds himself in a new situation, and must struggle to find his feet, with detailed and immensely entertaining illustrations from artist Chris Riddell, whose many illustrative projects include Paul Stewart's middle-grade fantasy series, The Edge Chronicles. I liked the mix of fictional and non-fictional elements here, with enough of a story to make this entertainment, and enough information to make it educational. I'd recommend it to middle-grade readers who enjoy historical fiction, or are interested in medieval castles and knights. It would make an excellent additional text in a study unit on the medieval period in European history. ( )

This book is about a farmer boy named Tobias Burgress as he moves to the castle and settles in with the way they do things there. He does archery, and also plays with the other boys there. At one point, he missed and hit a sparrow, which he got a small bite of.
I liked this bok because it tells it in a first person point of veiw, and is also enjoyable with him missing, and also playing around with the other pages. It is also very informative, telling you the ranks of the castle, and also some festivals and other things that happen in them. ( )