Winterhouse

Gutterson, Ben. Winterhouse. 2018. 370p. ISBN 978-1-250-12388-6. Available at FIC GUT on the library shelves.

Elizabeth Somers has been living with her aunt and uncle ever since her parents died in a fiery explosion when she was very little. Now eleven, Elizabeth has spent a lifetime dealing with two people who really don’t want her there and would rather not spend any money or energy dealing with her. When an anonymous benefactor pays to send Elizabeth to the Winterhouse Hotel for three weeks during Christmas vacation, her aunt and uncle are thrilled. Elizabeth is concerned, but at the same time she looks forward to time away from her mean-spirited aunt and her lazy uncle.

Traveling to Winterhouse on a bus, Elizabeth finds herself attracting the unwanted attention of two strange passengers, a thin man and his equally thin wife. Shaking it off, Elizabeth returns to reading her book, one of the seven she owns. Arriving at Winterhouse, Elizabeth discovers that the hotel possesses a massive library with more books than she could ever read. There are large puzzles, skating, sledding, swimming, lectures and concerts after dinner, and a myriad of other activities. The owner, Norbridge Falls, is peculiar, and Winterhouse contains memories from three generations of Falls. Finally, there’s Freddy, another teen spending his vacation at the hotel. The two hit it off immediately.

Searching the reference section of the library for a book to read, Elizabeth discovers a book called A Guide for Children: Games, Secrets, Pastimes, and More, and on impulse she steals it from the library. Soon she discovers that this book is The Book, a legendary volume left behind by Norbridge’s grandfather that can be used to solve a mystery that has plagued the hotel since its construction. Connected to the Falls family somehow, Elizabeth is eager to discover the solution to this mystery, but malevolent forces have other plans for her in mind. As Elizabeth gets closer, the stakes get higher, and Winterhouse will never be the same.

A grand setting and a fast-moving plot keep the reader engrossed in Elizabeth’s adventure. The cast of characters is unique, and illustrations help provide context to the story. Fans of mystery and light magic will enjoy and cheer Elizabeth on as she takes necessary risks to solve the curse of Winterhouse.

Mort Ziff Is Not Dead

Fagan, Cary. Mort Ziff Is Not Dead. 2017. 176p. ISBN 978-0-14-319847-5. Available at FIC FAG on the library shelves.

Norman Fishbein is the youngest kid in his family, and his two older brothers are always picking on him. As Norman himself says, it’s as if, when he was born, they received instructions that their only goal in life was to make Norman miserable. Tormenting Norman relentlessly, Marcus and Larry are always topping each other, leaving Norman behind.

When Norman and his brothers enter a contest to guess the number of candies in a jar at the mall, they don’t expect to win, but Norman is surprised months later when he receives a letter in the mail instructing him that he won $1,000. In the winter of 1965, $1,000 is a lot of money. Instead of saving it for himself, buying things he doesn’t need, he decides that the family needs a vacation Florida. Everyone readily agrees with him, and soon the Fishbein family arrives in Miami.

There they meet the Horvath family. Their three girls are the same age as the Fishbein children, and share the same hobbies. Instead of being friends, they become instant enemies. Except for Amy and Norman. Owing no loyalty to siblings who always pick on them, they decide to bow out of this little contest and enjoy their vacation instead. They soon discover that Mort Ziff, one of the most famous comedians from the 1950s, is still working at their hotel, telling bad jokes during dinner. But with Ziff’s position threatened by a Beatles cover band, Amy and Norman come up with a plan to ensure that Ziff will keep working as long as he wants to.

Anyone who has ever been picked on by older siblings will appreciate the quiet and graceful way in which younger siblings Norman and Amy deal with being eclipsed by their brothers and sisters and how they regain a sense of being in control of their own lives. Their success at making their siblings respect them will inspire the reader to reach out to his or her family members and thank them for being part of their family.