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misspippireads's review against another edition
3.0
Welcome to the Wippet Hotel! The Wippet was created by an excentric gentlemen who excelled at creating strange inventions. Each floor of the hotel is unique and full of surprises and adventures. No one knows the ins and outs better then the janitorial staff of the Fillmore family. Leo Fillmore discovers all this and more when a mysterious box is discovered...which leads to more myserious boxes.
Carman writes an amazingly imaginative tale that will appeal to a wide range of listeners. If you need a book that needs to span a range of ages during a roadtrip, this is an excellent selection. The older listeners might be able predict the some plot points, but there are plenty of surprises along the way. The ending wraps up happily with hints at more Wippet adventures.
Jesse Bernstein reads the first Floors novel. The narrator is well-known for his reading of The Lightning Thief and the Percy Jackson series. His voice is youthful and he differentiates between the characters. I prefer consistancy between books, so if the Floors series continues, I hope Berstein will return to tell the tale.
Reviewed from a library copy.
Carman writes an amazingly imaginative tale that will appeal to a wide range of listeners. If you need a book that needs to span a range of ages during a roadtrip, this is an excellent selection. The older listeners might be able predict the some plot points, but there are plenty of surprises along the way. The ending wraps up happily with hints at more Wippet adventures.
Jesse Bernstein reads the first Floors novel. The narrator is well-known for his reading of The Lightning Thief and the Percy Jackson series. His voice is youthful and he differentiates between the characters. I prefer consistancy between books, so if the Floors series continues, I hope Berstein will return to tell the tale.
Reviewed from a library copy.
amotisse's review against another edition
5.0
How wonderful to listen to some junior fiction. It really allows the imagination to run wild and free. The Whippet Hotel is somewhat exclusive but incredible! Full of secret floors and passages, interesting people and plenty of mystery.
Definitely a place I’d love to explore.
Definitely a place I’d love to explore.
jenniepicky's review against another edition
2.0
I usually don't have much trouble listening to a book in the car while driving, but I had real trouble paying attention to this one. It wasn't the narrator's fault (as has been suggested by other reviews) because I have listened to other books read by him and haven't had any troubles at all. I just didn't find the characters or plot particularly unique or interesting. But children who love Wayside School may find just what they are looking for.
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting details, but I just kept thinking of Willy Wonka as I read.
izumisano's review against another edition
4.0
Would have liked the ending better if it wasn't exactly like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
saidtheraina's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a sucker for cool world-building.
This is definitely a book about a place. Leo is the son of the maintenance guy at the fantastical Whippet Hotel. This hotel is right in the middle of a major city and has many quirky characteristics. Each room has a theme. My favorite was the pinball room, because in addition to pinball-themed décor and actual pinball games, the ENTIRE ROOM turns into a giant pinball game! The features of this hotel border on (and quite possibly slide over the edge into) fantastical and science-fiction.
Within this world lives a cast of wacky characters - employees, guests, and strangers to the hotel.
The best part about this book is definitely exploring the different crazy rooms Carman has cooked up. Although I remember there were wacky characters featured in the story, I only vaguely remember individuals, and only vaguely remember the plot of the central mystery. If you're like me, you'll eagerly look forward to the moments when Leo visits a room you haven't seen yet.
I featured this book in my outreach visits to local elementary schools leading up to Summer Reading 2013. It's definitely been a hit!
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However, can we talk about how much better the pbk cover is than this?!?
This is definitely a book about a place. Leo is the son of the maintenance guy at the fantastical Whippet Hotel. This hotel is right in the middle of a major city and has many quirky characteristics. Each room has a theme. My favorite was the pinball room, because in addition to pinball-themed décor and actual pinball games, the ENTIRE ROOM turns into a giant pinball game! The features of this hotel border on (and quite possibly slide over the edge into) fantastical and science-fiction.
Within this world lives a cast of wacky characters - employees, guests, and strangers to the hotel.
The best part about this book is definitely exploring the different crazy rooms Carman has cooked up. Although I remember there were wacky characters featured in the story, I only vaguely remember individuals, and only vaguely remember the plot of the central mystery. If you're like me, you'll eagerly look forward to the moments when Leo visits a room you haven't seen yet.
I featured this book in my outreach visits to local elementary schools leading up to Summer Reading 2013. It's definitely been a hit!
---
However, can we talk about how much better the pbk cover is than this?!?
karieh13's review against another edition
5.0
(Written by my 8-year old son.) This book was AWESOME – 5 stars. I liked the plot the best, it was interesting and I liked the characters, especially Leo and Remi. They teamed up and they saved the Whippet Hotel.
One thing that makes the book so interesting is that every single hotel room is different and not like your average hotel room. There was one that was a life sized pinball machine, one that was a railroad room and one that was a HUGE junk maze.
“The entire thing appeared to be made of junk, pile after pile rising all the way to the ceiling. Chairs, old dishwashers, cans of paint, picture frames, books, shelves, computers, telephones, car tires – it went on and on and it all looked like as if it might crumble to the floor any moment.” The author described the rooms really well so that I could see them in my head.
I can’t wait to read the next book and find out what happens to Leo and the Whippet Hotel!
One thing that makes the book so interesting is that every single hotel room is different and not like your average hotel room. There was one that was a life sized pinball machine, one that was a railroad room and one that was a HUGE junk maze.
“The entire thing appeared to be made of junk, pile after pile rising all the way to the ceiling. Chairs, old dishwashers, cans of paint, picture frames, books, shelves, computers, telephones, car tires – it went on and on and it all looked like as if it might crumble to the floor any moment.” The author described the rooms really well so that I could see them in my head.
I can’t wait to read the next book and find out what happens to Leo and the Whippet Hotel!
clairegoatcher's review against another edition
4.0
it was a great book filled with adventure and suspense about a ten year old boy who found these strange boxes and now has to make it through many secret rooms in the whippet hotel. a small hotel with many whacky rooms. can he make it?....
P.S. I wish they made a second book :)
P.S. I wish they made a second book :)
lorathelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
This book is beyond creative. Carman has designed the perfect setting, a hotel that isn't just a normal hotel. It's filled with hidden rooms and floors. Each room has a unique theme filled with robots and holograms, and of course...ducks. The characters are also very well written and created. Every single one is great and fully developed.
I would recommend this to kids that are fans of great mysteries and love to solve puzzles and clues. But it's also a great whimsical adventure full of humor and intrigue. Kids will love this book.
I would recommend this to kids that are fans of great mysteries and love to solve puzzles and clues. But it's also a great whimsical adventure full of humor and intrigue. Kids will love this book.
menniemenace's review against another edition
3.0
I'm getting too old for middle-grade novels, and it's the saddest thing ever.
This book is cute and adorable. The relationship between Remi and Leo is mostly lovely and the whole book is super cute.
**Book 6 of 10 in the reading marathon
This book is cute and adorable. The relationship between Remi and Leo is mostly lovely and the whole book is super cute.
**Book 6 of 10 in the reading marathon