Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Diana Wynne Jones’s unique combination of magic, humor, and imagination dazzles in this modern classic—beloved by readers of all ages.

Sophie Hatter has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the attention of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself transformed into an old woman. Her only chance at breaking the curse lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl’s castle. And Howl has a reputation for stealing young women's hearts. At least Sophie will be safe from that...right? To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there’s far more to the irresistibly charming Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye. They might even capture each other’s hearts.

Howl’s Moving Castle is beloved by generations of fantasy readers and the source for Hayao Miyazaki’s film, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and was recently rereleased in celebration of its twentieth anniversary.