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Ben Guterson

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Winterhouse (Winterhouse, 1) Hardcover – January 2, 2018

by Ben Guterson (Author), Chloe Bristol (Illustrator)

4.6 1,069 ratings

Book 1 of 3: Winterhouse

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An Edgar Award Finalist
An Agatha Award Finalist

An enchanting urban fantasy middle-grade debut―the first book in a trilogy―set in a magical hotel full of secrets.

Orphan Elizabeth Somers’s malevolent aunt and uncle ship her off to the ominous Winterhouse Hotel, owned by the peculiar Norbridge Falls. Upon arrival, Elizabeth quickly discovers that Winterhouse has many charms―most notably its massive library. It’s not long before she locates a magical book of puzzles that will unlock a mystery involving Norbridge and his sinister family. But the deeper she delves into the hotel’s secrets, the more Elizabeth starts to realize that she is somehow connected to Winterhouse. As fate would have it, Elizabeth is the only person who can break the hotel’s curse and solve the mystery. But will it be at the cost of losing the people she has come to car for, and even Winterhouse itself?

Mystery, adventure, and beautiful writing combine in this exciting debut richly set in a hotel full of secrets.

Christy Ottaviano Books

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4–6—Puzzle-loving bibliophile Elizabeth Somers is an 11-year-old orphan living with her impoverished and disagreeable Aunt Purdy and Uncle Burlap. Right before the holidays, Elizabeth finds herself locked out of her home and sent off to the amazing and magical hotel, Winterhouse. While there, she befriends the peculiar proprietor, Norbridge Falls, and is drawn to a unique book which opens up many secrets about Winterhouse and Elizabeth herself. Elizabeth also encounters a suspicious duo who are up to something nefarious and push her deeper into the mystery of the odd hotel. Elizabeth is a daring girl trying to get to the bottom of it all with her newfound and first friend Freddy while also enjoying all the wonderful things that she has been unable to experience living with her Aunt and Uncle. This entertaining mystery romp is a must-have for all young bibliophiles; it is chock full of book titles and literary references, both contemporary (Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabentein) and classic (Anne of Green Gables). Each chapter title also includes a word ladder for puzzle lovers. Bristol's art is whimsical and enhances the spirit of the story. VERDICT A charming, atmospheric mystery with some fantasy elements, for fans of Kate Milford's Greenglass House and Trenton Lee Stewart's The Mysterious Benedict Society.—Kristyn Dorfman, The Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn

Review

Praise for Winterhouse:
An Edgar Award Nominee
An Agatha Award Nominee
An Indie Next List Pick
Winner of the Washington Book Award
Winner of the Morning Calm Medal
Winner of the California Young Reader Medal
An Oklahoma Book Award Nominee

"Guterson provides readers a treat: mean caregivers à la the Dursleys; a vast, luxurious hotel where oddities abound; a new word-puzzle-loving friend; a shrouded history for Winterhouse; and sinister circumstances. . . Clever and captivating."--Kirkus Reviews

"Filled with puzzles and magic, Guterson’s debut keeps suspense high as the secrets of Elizabeth’s past unwind. This satisfying mystery leaves just enough unanswered questions to have readers eager for the next book in this planned trilogy."-Publishers Weekly

"A charming, atmospheric mystery with some fantasy elements, for fans of Kate Milford’s Greenglass House and Trenton Lee Stewart’s The MysteriousBenedict Society. . . Bristol’s art is whimsical and enhances the spirit of the story."--School Library Journal

"A natural fit for readers with a penchant for puzzles and wordplay in the vein of the Mr. Lemoncello’s Library series and Pseudonymous Bosch."--Booklist

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (January 2, 2018)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250123887
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250123886
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 9 - 13 years, from customers
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 880L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 4 - 6
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.9 x 1.41 x 8.54 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #327,255 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #450 in Children’s Books about Libraries & Reading
- #2,534 in Children's Mystery, Detective, & Spy
- #6,540 in Children's Fantasy & Magic Books

Customer Reviews:
4.6 1,069 ratings

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Ben Guterson

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Ben Guterson was a high school and middle school teacher in New Mexico and Colorado for a decade before working for several years at Microsoft as a program manager. He and his family live near Seattle in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains.

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Denverangel68

Great Read!

Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2023

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Lovely story! Couldn't put it down....lots of twists, turns, and heartfelt moments. A coming of age story wrapped into mystery.

2 people found this helpful

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Ashley Marcu

Fun story of friendships and adventure

Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2020

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My daughter (age 10) and I both read this book. I found the book to be charming and sweet with a twist of mystery and mild suspense. The characters are well developed and interesting. I ordered the next book in the series and am looking forward to finding out what happens next. I give this book a 9/10, my daughter says its a 8/10. Worth the read!

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Sydney Jones

A fun and well written story!

Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2023

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This story gave constant intrigue and the questioning that made me want to read faster! Great character design and story detail. Vivid story telling perspective. This would be a fun summer middle school read or Christmas break book.

One person found this helpful

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The family

Fantastic Read!!

Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2024

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A great read, well paced with both likable and despicable characters. Can’t wait to read the next installments of this fantastic adventure!

Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2023

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Really enjoyed this novel and I hope there is a sequel soon :)
The characters were engaging and the setting was fantastic.

One person found this helpful

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miss marple

For much older audience than is claimed

Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2019

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Bought this for a 10-year-old.

But after reading/perusing the entire book, (spoiler alert) it turns out that the protagonist has special "powers" from which the story is not quite clear about; but the fact that the other "power holders" in the story are evil, and that there are paranormal types of things that happen --- it's just too heavy for a child.

I actually wish that even teenagers would not romanticize this type of story, but of course they would.

Bottom line: it is very well written, interesting plot, good characters. However (a BIG however) the story could be very disturbing for a young reader, I believe. Or more to the point, it might influence a belief - however distant - that can shape a young blank slate in their view of our world, the universe, spirituality, etc.

recommended for young adults who like escapist literature

63 people found this helpful

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boyschool5

The best hardcover art I’ve seen

Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2021

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This book is so adorable! The dust jacket has little cutouts, that let the people underneath show through. I love it. I read it aloud to my 8 and 9 year olds and it was perfect. There WERE a couple scary parts, and one illustration that scared my 8 year old, but she loved it. Some kids like to be frightened a tiny bit. If your child is especially sensitive, maybe wait until they are older. The story takes place in that big beautiful hotel on the cover, called Winterhouse. There is a girl, Elizabeth and a boy, Freddy, who have adventures and solve ghostly mysteries in the hotel. The book has a lot of fun with word ladders and codes. My girls totally loved it, and we’ve bought the entire series. There is nothing inappropriate in this book, no words I wouldn’t want my children saying, no bad behavior by the children, though Emily does tell a lie. She realizes her mistake and apologizes.

15 people found this helpful

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V. Johnson

Great mystery

Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2023

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A bit of Harry Potter and Sherlock Holmes mixed with an
Amazing hotel set in the mountains. Elizabeth and Freddy uncover a mysterious code that will test their skills.

5 people found this helpful

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Lourdes Gomes Leocadio

Adorei

Reviewed in Brazil on November 10, 2022

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É um livro engraçadinho e encantador. Não consegui parar de ler. Mais mistérios surgiram a cada virada de página, a trama se complicava, e eu estava ansiosa para descobrir o que estava acontecendo. Fiquei até acordada de madrugada para ler um pouco mais, brigando com o sono, de tão entretida e curiosa que estava.

O livro não poderia ser mais atrativo. A edição em capa dura é belíssima, com a imagem da fachada do hotel na jacket e o esqueleto dele na capa nua. As ilustrações são lindas! Têm um traço fofo e fascinante. Você sente vontade de olhar por horas, admirando e analisando os detalhes.

É um livro voltado para um público mais jovem. A história é simples; as reviravoltas, as descobertas e explicações não são bobas, mas também não são complexas. Qualquer leitor desvenda tudo de cara, se quiser, mas eu não quis. Preferi curtir a história, respeitar seu ritmo e aguardar as revelações virem. Estava muito mais divertido assim.

Não teve um momento de tédio pra mim. Nem sempre o enredo estava concentrado em Elizabeth focada nos mistérios de Winterhouse, tentando resolver os enigmas. Às vezes mostrava ela simplesmente aproveitando a oportunidade que recebeu de estar hospedada num hotel magnífico se distraindo com todas as atividades que o local oferecia. Pra falar a verdade, eu gostava desses "respiros" da história e acho que ajudou a mantê-la mais dinâmica e menos repetitiva.

Elizabeth é uma graça de personagem. Freddy também. Realmente lembrou a mim mesma nessa idade. Ela ama livros, enigmas e quebra-cabeças, é descrita como uma garota comum e sem amigos. Já li essas características antes, mas não pareceu mais do mesmo. Ela era inteligente, mas não sabichona. E uma garota de 11 anos que se comportava assim, mas sem ser chata ou madura demais pra idade.

Freddy é um pouco nerd também, mas de novo não deu a sensação de um personagem reciclado nesse tipo de livro.

A meu ver, o autor soube conduzir bem a história que criou, não forçou a barra. Não deixou tudo correr conveniente demais, mesmo quando dava as soluções mais simples.

É um livro perfeito, menos por um detalhe: não caiu bem para mim o papo sobre como conviver com membros familiares desagradáveis.
Freddy crê não ser amado pelos pais. E tem a própria Elizabeth, órfã, mora com os tios que não a suportam. O ranço entre eles é mútuo. Acredito eu que o ranço dela surgiu depois, ao perceber que não era querida pela família que a acolheu.

E basicamente a dica que o autor dá para crianças que estão nestas situações é ser "the bigger person". Vai que o adulto está passando por algo grave que você não sabe, vai que você está enganado e seus pais te amam.
Não acho que essa seja a solução. Pior que isso: acho preocupante dizer isso num livro para essa faixa etária. Crianças são suscetíveis a lares abusivos, sabe?

Foi uma abordagem tão pobre, tão rasa para uma situação tão maior que seria melhor se o autor nem tivesse tocado no assunto. Até porque tanto Elizabeth quanto Freddy são crianças educadas e boas. Não são elas que estão erradas e não cabe a elas ser conforto para adultos. Enfim...