Floors

Ten-year-old Leo lives and works as a maintenance apprentice at the Whippet Hotel, an eccentric establishment in New York City. The hotel contains bizarre rooms filled with mechanical wonders, secret passageways, and unexplained mysteries. When the hotel's owner Mr. Whippet disappears, Leo becomes entangled in a quest involving cryptic boxes left throughout the building. Along with his friend Remi, Leo must solve puzzles and navigate the hotel's unusual features while racing against time to complete his mission. The story combines elements of adventure, mystery and friendship as Leo explores the hotel's many floors. The Whippet Hotel itself functions as a character, with each unique room presenting new challenges and revelations. Through its imaginative setting and puzzle-solving plot, Floors examines themes of loyalty, curiosity, and the value of maintaining a sense of wonder. The novel suggests that extraordinary things can exist in plain sight - if one knows where to look.

Readers describe Floors as a whimsical mystery with elements similar to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The quick pacing and quirky hotel setting appeal to middle-grade readers ages 8-12. Readers appreciated: - Creative room descriptions and imaginative details - Clean content suitable for young readers - Short chapters that maintain interest - Puzzles that readers can solve alongside the protagonist Common criticisms: - Plot relies on coincidences - Character development feels shallow - Some find the writing style simplistic - Several readers wanted more explanation of the hotel's mechanics Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (120+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 "A fun adventure that keeps kids turning pages," noted one teacher on Goodreads. Multiple parents mentioned their reluctant readers finished it quickly. Some reviewers felt the story "loses steam halfway through" and "leaves too many questions unanswered."

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The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart Four children pass tests to enter a secret society and uncover mysteries in an institute with puzzles, riddles, and hidden passages.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg Two siblings run away to live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and become entangled in an art mystery that leads them through secret rooms and hidden clues.

The Hotel Between by Sean Easley Twins discover a magical hotel that connects to locations across the world through doors and passages while searching for their missing father.

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🔷 The author, Patrick Carman, got his inspiration for Floors from staying in unique hotels during his book tours, particularly one with themed rooms similar to those in the story. 🔷 The Whippet Hotel in the book has unusual features like a pinball machine room and a room filled entirely with ducks - elements that appeal to both young readers and adults. 🔷 Before becoming a writer, Patrick Carman owned an advertising agency and created board games, which influenced his ability to create intricate puzzles in the story. 🔷 Floors is the first book in a trilogy, followed by "3 Below" and "The Field of Wacky Inventions," each expanding the mysteries of the Whippet Hotel. 🔷 The book combines elements of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Mysterious Benedict Society, featuring elaborate mysteries and whimsical inventions that test the protagonist's problem-solving abilities.