Sophie, the eldest of three daughters, has dutifully resigned herself to a dull life running a hat shop.

But when she runs afoul of the evil magic of the powerful and testy Witch of the Waste, her life becomes very interesting indeed. The Witch's curse turns Sophie from a young woman into an old one.

In shock and desperation, Sophie finagles herself a job as housekeeper in the Moving Castle belonging to Howl, a wizard with a (perhaps undeserved) unsavory reputation, in hopes that either Howl or his fire demon Calcifer prove capable of removing the spell.

Acclaimed Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki based a 2004 animated film on this book.

Dianna Wynne Jones is known for her intelligent, humorous, and decidedly oddball children's and young-adult fantasy and science-fiction books.

Jones was inspired to start writing because of her own dismay at the children's fiction available for her sons.

Her best-loved books are the Chrestomanci series, which includes CHARMED LIFE, THE LIVES OF CHRISTOPHER CHANT, THE MAGICIANS OF CAPRONA, WITCH WEEK, CONRAD'S FATE, and THE PINHOE EGG.