The Hotel Under the Sand [Paperback]

Kage Baker (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Appealing to boys and girls alike, this beguiling adventure explores classic fantasy themes from a unique young heroine’s perspective. Nine-year-old Emma loses everything she has in a fearsome storm and finds herself alone in the wilderness of the Dunes—an area desolate since the mysterious disappearance of a resort known as the Grand Wenlocke. Finding a friend in Winston, the ghostly bellboy who wanders the Dunes, Emma learns that it has been more than 100 years since the hotel with an unsavory reputation vanished; but, unbeknownst to either of them, the long slumbering resort has just begun to stir. Allying herself with a motley crew of companions—the ghost bellboy, a kindhearted cook, a pirate with a heart of gold, and the imperious young heir to the Wenlocke fortune—Emma soon learns that things are not always as lost as they seem, especially if you have a brave heart and good friends.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Baker's (the Company series) first book for children introduces a young heroine named Emma, who finds herself on the Dunes after an unspecified disaster. Her apparent solitude is an illusion: the Dunes are home to the lost Grand Wenlocke, the most luxurious hotel in the world, as well as the ghost of dutiful Bell Captain Winston Oliver Courtland. The hotel is uncovered by conveniently timed winds and in short order the orphan and ghost are joined by cook Mrs. Beet, tugboat pirate Captain Doubloon and fellow orphan Masterman Wenlocke. The five form an ad-hoc family and begin operating the hotel once more. At the outset, the omniscient narrator assures readers that Emma has the required "cleverness and bravery" to tackle an adventure, but the book offers scant opportunities for Emma to demonstrate this. The tragedy that maroons Emma is deliberately vague, Doubloon is amiable, Masterman proves reasonable and the servants are properly submissive. The element of danger introduced by the arrival of Masterman's conniving guardian seems perfunctory. Although skillfully written, the book is undermined by a lack of tension. Ages 9-12.
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Review

"Skillfully written."  —Publishers Weekly

"There are few books that I immediately want to press into the hands of other readers the instant I turn the last page. My copy of Hotel will be one that I hand to my daughter in a few years. First, however, I'm going to force it on everybody I know."  —Locus

"Although Baker is an established author of science fiction and fantasy for adults, this novel is written so naturally that it is difficult to believe it is her debut for younger readers."  —VOYA

"I read it all in one sitting, enjoying the characters and the well-crafted plot very much, and want to read it soon to my granddaughters . . . reassuring but exciting, and the Wenlocke itself is a wonderful creation."  —Cecilia Holland, author, Until the Sun Falls

"Ms. Baker has written something like an Edwardian storybook by E. Nesbit but still suitable for modern tastes and attention-spans. There are also some beautiful and ethereal illustrations by fantasy artist Stephanie Pui-Mun Law. The Hotel Under the Sand is smart and funny, filled with old-fashioned wonder."  —i09

"It's exciting to come upon a book that serves not only as a great story to share with your kids, but one that has some undeniably unusual—and geeky—features. So, here are five particularly good reasons to read The Hotel Under the Sand with your kids this summer."  —Geek Dad, Wired.com

"Wow! I read The Hotel Under the Sand with delight and  joy. It’s wonderful, wacky and spooky and serious and FUN . . . it wouldn’t surprise me if it turned out to be a classic and went on down the ages along with Alice and Oz and the very few others that have become immortal."  —Diana Wynne Jones, author, Howl’s Moving Castle

"Charming . . . Baker's first book for younger readers is a delight."  —Denver Post

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Tachyon Publications (July 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892391899
• ISBN-13: 978-1892391896
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #382,663 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I wish I could have read this book when I was a kid!, November 5, 2009

By 

tangerine (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hotel Under the Sand (Paperback)

The Hotel Under the Sand is simply the most charming children's book (ages 8-11) that I have read in recent memory. Emma, a brave little girl, is lost at sea and washes up on a desert island. There she discovers a magical hotel where time is stretched out so that you can vacation as long as you wish (I seriously need that). She also discovers some stalwart friends (like a ghost, a chef, and a pirate) and uncovers the mysteries of the hotel in a wonderfully creative treasure hunt. There are also excellent illustrations that skillfully capture the flavor of the story.

I could say more, but I wouldn't want to spoil the book for you. The Hotel Under the Sand is suitable for children, but also for older readers who just want an old-fashioned adventure (not like, say, Twilight) told from the perspective of a spunky little heroine who is based on a real little girl named Emma. It's truly a breath of fresh air.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Steam Punk Fairy Tale, September 23, 2009

By 

Wayne Fisher - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hotel Under the Sand (Paperback)

I have read most of the stories Kage Baker has published and I found "The Hotel Under the Sand" to be a delightful blend of fantasy and science fiction for the younger reader. I too recognize certain "stock" characters from Ms. Baker's stories. I find the characters charming in this context, Ms. Baker has her own mythological archetypes to draw from and we see different renditions of them in her shorter stories.

I call this a Steam Punk Fairy Tale, for that is exactly what it is. A delightful story to read to my daughter, or have her read to me, at bedtime. Adventures abound, magic happens, a strong and intelligent young lady overcomes all obstacles with the help of friends.

Excellent seed for fertile minds to dream over!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My review, October 9, 2009

By 

Kelly A. Rettinhouse (Vallejo, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hotel Under the Sand (Paperback)

We ordered this book before we went on vacation, so I would have something to read on the plane. My kids got their hands on the book first, and loved it! It was a quick read for them, kept them entertained with the fast paced action and adventure of Emma and her friends. I was finally able to read it over the past 2 days, and did not want to have to put it down. While I would have liked to see more, I realize this book was geared toward younger readers, and allows them to start getting hooked on Kage Baker's books, like a lot of adults have. I can't wait to see what else she has rolling around her fantastic brain.