The Water Castle (YA)

Book #28 Read in 2014
The Water Castle by Megan Frazer Blakemore (YA)

Ephraim's father has had a stroke and his mother moved the family back to the family home in the country in the hopes that it will help his father recover.  Ephraim realizes that the kids in his new school are more academically advanced than he is so he is struggling to fit in.  He joins forces with Will and Mallory to find the Fountain of Youth in the hopes that the magical water will cure his father; Ephraim's family has spent generations on this quest.  Will the kids be able to find the fountain?  If they do, will it cure his father?

This book had a decent plot that will keep readers engaged.  The characters were interesting and well-developed.  There is a parallel story from the early 1900s told alongside the main story but this is done in a way (different page setup, dates on the top of the page) that will not be confusing to younger readers.  I enjoyed this book.