Patrick
Carman
Scholastic,
2011
272
pages
Leo Fillmore and his father live and work at the incredible Whippet
Hotel. While his father fixes all of the remarkable gadgets, gizmos and plumbing
in the hotel, Leo spends his time looking after the ducks (who live on the roof)
and avoiding the terrible manager of the hotel who seems bent on getting rid of
Leo and his father. But things are not going well in the hotel, for its founder
and builder, Merganzer D. Whippet, has gone missing, and the hotel is starting
to fall apart. And then a mysterious box appears addressed to Leo from the
missing Mr. Whippet, a box that will send Leo on the adventure of his life
through the mysteries of the hotel, find him new friends, and possibly give him
a chance to save the hotel from a terrible fate.
Patrick Carman is one of my favourite authors currently writing for
children. His books explore all sorts of fantastical situations and his
characters are believable, good hearted, and great, strong role models for
younger readers. Carman also doesn’t shy away from the sad realities of life –
Leo’s mother has died, and the reader can see how that has affected both he and
his father. These sad situations, however, are treated with grace, allowing
younger readers to understand and sympathize with the characters. Part Charlie and the Chocolate Factory yet
entirely original, Floors would make
for a great read-aloud book for parents and children to
share.
Book Count: 29
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