Winterhouse (Winterhouse, 1) - Hardcover

Guterson, Ben

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1250123887 ISBN 13: 9781250123886

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 2018

Synopsis

An Edgar Award Finalist
An Agatha Award Finalist

An enchanting urban fantasy middle-grade debut―the first book in a trilogy―set in a magical hotel full of secrets.

Orphan Elizabeth Somers’s malevolent aunt and uncle ship her off to the ominous Winterhouse Hotel, owned by the peculiar Norbridge Falls. Upon arrival, Elizabeth quickly discovers that Winterhouse has many charms―most notably its massive library. It’s not long before she locates a magical book of puzzles that will unlock a mystery involving Norbridge and his sinister family. But the deeper she delves into the hotel’s secrets, the more Elizabeth starts to realize that she is somehow connected to Winterhouse. As fate would have it, Elizabeth is the only person who can break the hotel’s curse and solve the mystery. But will it be at the cost of losing the people she has come to car for, and even Winterhouse itself?

Mystery, adventure, and beautiful writing combine in this exciting debut richly set in a hotel full of secrets.

Christy Ottaviano Books

About this title

About the Author

Ben Guterson was born and raised in Seattle. Before working at Microsoft as a Program Manager, Ben spent a decade teaching public school on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico and in rural Colorado. He has written features and book reviews for newspapers, magazines, and websites, as well as a nature-travel guide to the Southwest. Ben and his family live in the foothills of the Cascades east of Seattle. Winterhouse is his first book.

From School Library Journal

Gr 4–6—Puzzle-loving bibliophile Elizabeth Somers is an 11-year-old orphan living with her impoverished and disagreeable Aunt Purdy and Uncle Burlap. Right before the holidays, Elizabeth finds herself locked out of her home and sent off to the amazing and magical hotel, Winterhouse. While there, she befriends the peculiar proprietor, Norbridge Falls, and is drawn to a unique book which opens up many secrets about Winterhouse and Elizabeth herself. Elizabeth also encounters a suspicious duo who are up to something nefarious and push her deeper into the mystery of the odd hotel. Elizabeth is a daring girl trying to get to the bottom of it all with her newfound and first friend Freddy while also enjoying all the wonderful things that she has been unable to experience living with her Aunt and Uncle. This entertaining mystery romp is a must-have for all young bibliophiles; it is chock full of book titles and literary references, both contemporary (Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabentein) and classic (Anne of Green Gables). Each chapter title also includes a word ladder for puzzle lovers. Bristol's art is whimsical and enhances the spirit of the story. VERDICT A charming, atmospheric mystery with some fantasy elements, for fans of Kate Milford's Greenglass House and Trenton Lee Stewart's The Mysterious Benedict Society.—Kristyn Dorfman, The Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn

About this edition

• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1250123887
• ISBN 13: 9781250123886
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 384
• Illustrator: Bristol Chloe