In the land of Ingary, where such things as seven-league boots and cloaks of invisibility really exist, it is quite a misfortune to be born the eldest of three. Everyone knows you are the one who will fail first, and worst, if the three of you set out to seek your fortunes.
Appearances can be deceptive as they are in this fantasy YA novel about three sisters in a land where magic is commonplace, and a house with portals designed to give the appearance of a moving castle in which a wicked wizard (who's not really all that bad) lives. As an aside, John Donne's suggestion to go catch a falling star is not always good advice at all.