The Elevator Family

The Elevator Family #1

by Douglas Evans

WHAT’S THE STRANGEST HOTEL ROOM YOU’VE EVER STAYED IN? WHATEVER IT IS, THE WILSON FAMILY CAN TOP IT. BECAUSE FOR THREE DAYS, THEY LIVE IN AN ELEVATOR.

For the Wilson family, only the best will do! So when they arrive at the San Francisco Hotel and discover that there are no available rooms, they decide to stay in the place that suits them best of all: a room that has its ups . . . and its downs—a room called Otis, the hotel elevator.
 
Staying in the elevator is absolutely “fantabulous!” After all, where else would Mr. Walter Wilson, Mrs. Winona Wilson, 10-year-old Winslow Wilson, and his twin sister, Whitney Wilson get to meet:
·         A weary traveling salesman of kids' fads
·         A British rock group with a funny name
·         A lovesick bellhop
·         A society lady and her pampered poodle
·         And a slew of other surprising visitors!
 
For fans of middle-grade giants like Andrew Clements , Jerry Spinelli , Louis Sachar , and Judy Blume , The Elevator Family is a funny and heartwarming story about an eccentric family who’ll be remembered long after they check out of Otis. Drop in on them for an elevator ride filled with adventure and zany humor!

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Juvenile, Humor

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Douglas Evans lives in Berkeley, California. He grew up in Ohio and Minnesota and taught for many years in various settings ranging from a small logging town in Oregon, to a wealthy suburb in California; a private school in Berkeley, to international schools in Helsinki and London. Now he is a full-time writer of books, stories, plays, and screenplays for children. Doug spends a good part of each year living abroad and has visited over 100 countries. Doug plays a competent piano and guitar and has written over 400 songs and compositions. His published books include MVP: Magellan Voyage Project, The Elevator Family, and Classroom at the End of the Hall.

Reviews

[Pandora · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plot: A family unable to find a room in a hotel check into the elevator beliveing it is a room.

Review: I had trouble with this book. At frist I thought I was reading a British import but, then discovred that the author is from California. Which explained why the silliness wasn't working for me. YOU'RE A BAD MAN MR. GUM this is not. I also thought the book was a young reader but, discovered it is rated as 5.6 reading level. This makes the book without an audience with too silly a plot for older readers and too high a vocubluary for younger readers. For example some of the words used are: Petit, chronicle, ringamarole, frazzled, fantablous, and slivers.

As for the plot I had trouble understanding how a family could not understand what an elevator. I also had trouble understanding why everyone want along with this idea especially the cranky manger of the hotel. At least with THE STUPIDS by Harry Allard you understand that the family is stupid. Most other books with crazy plots, like CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS, has such a zany tone that you can go with it. With this book the tone doesn't support the plot.

Kids may be more forgiving of this book shortcomings. As for me I have trouble seeing how this book could work except as a read aloud for parents of third graders.

Quotes:

"On the twentieth floor, Tom and Tia Twiddle, two torists from Texas, entered Otis toting trunks."

"The light bathed the entire room in a soft golden glow."

"Top of the morning, gentleman."

[Shawn Deal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is quite the quirky, whimsical story of a family that takes a vacation and spends it in an elevator of a hotel. People come and go on the elevator, and the family welcomes them all. New friends are made, love blossoms and a kid napping is thwarted. Enjoyed it a great deal.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

"During the day, I'm really an actor...In the evening I practice how to act like a waiter," says Sydney, the waiter, as he serves dinner to a family living in said elevator. All the rooms are taken, hence a family parks their luggage into all-day up and down rides. It's all silly, but fun, and the illustrations are amazing: bedtime, lunchtime, etc., all perfectly arranged in that one single elevator. (Nope, not a single fire code violation at all!)

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky and fun. I think kids would love this.

[sofeah jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an 18 years old girl, I find this book very relaxing. I could distract myself from
the stressness of my work life. Happiness isn't always from large stuff, large events, or large spaces. Small things also could bring happiness. the only thing that matters is how you seize the opportunity and how you use the moment as memories.

[Xiao Wen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is kind of funny to me, but I do not like it that much, and I do not know the reason why neither. The only thing that I like about this book is the good relationships between people and the good socialization between people. The evidence of showing good relationship is no matter where the family is and what condition are surrounding them, they can still keep their happy mood. This shows the significance of a UNITED family, because if the family is not united, all the members will be complaining when they need to stay in the elevator.

[Jeff Coffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

My nine year old daughter brought this book home from the school library and asked if we could read it during our pre-bedtime reading. The first night, I wanted to stop because the concept was so ridiculous. Plus, the family seemed so clueless. But since my daughter had asked to read it, I kept on going. And it was sort of a cute book. The family met some interesting characters and had some unique adventures, and through the book revealed they had hearts of gold. It was short, but engaging, and there are certainly worse ways to spend time with your kids.

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

My daughter asked me to read this, and I'm glad it was short. Outside of the positive messages, the book was rather dry. Simplistic, but I suppose it has more to offer to young children. I just think there are many better books within this novellette's age range.

[♥Mrs.Ally Cullen♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was ok, i liked how ignorant the family was to live in an elevator. ;-)

[Cathy Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a cute story and a funny premise, what with a family parking themselves in an elevator. But the story itself wasn't as good as the set-up. Still, it's an entertaining read.

[Kim Brosius · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember doing a poster board project on this book when in grade school.

[Jennifer Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Wilson family can’t find an ordinary room at the hotel, they decide to stay in the little room that “has its ups and downs.” During their vacation in the elevator, all sorts of interesting people drop in to visit—and the Wilsons even get to solve a mystery.

When I first started reading this book, I thought it seemed pretty dumb… but it grew on me. It is clean and clever and funny, and in its zany way it centers around the importance of families and relationships. I think it would be ideal as a family read-aloud: there’s plenty of silly alliteration that would be best enjoyed out loud, it has a variety of accents for the reader to have fun with, and some of the clever bits will probably only be appreciated by parents (for instance, the British rock band called What). Also, it’s only 87 pages long, so it’s not an intimidating read-aloud commitment. Reading level: 3rd-4th grade

[Kira Nerys · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? I love this book. Both times I've read it I've felt too old for it and I've still been endlessly amused. Yeah, it's a bit ridiculous, and I couldn't keep the four Wilsons straight, but it's also sweet and heartwarming and all about the virtue of welcoming people into your life.

Of course, it must have been a fairly large elevator.

[Jentry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is silly and fun. I read it after a boy at the library told me he loved it so much that he made a model of the elevator for his room. Axel and I read it to each other on a vacation and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. :)

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know, it never says until the end that they’re staying in an elevator. A short, but delightful book about a family on vacation staying in an elevator. It’s surprising how many people they are able to help in their three day stay!

[Andenelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family who decides to stay in a elevator will get many visitors! but this family wanted to stay anyway they thought that is was a perfect room to stay in. people would come and go up and down the elevator but the family enjoyed it all! They had an amzing stay.

[Stephanie Carter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute story. I read it aloud to my class over a couple weeks. I had to explain a lot just because my students don’t have much experience with elevators or hotels, so they had a harder time enjoying it.

[Coolcat · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok.

[CraftyChara · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Adrienne]

I thought this book was ridiculous, but the boys really liked it so, I guess my opinion doesn't matterr much.

[Ali (TechStar,Electroclan)]

great book
fun surprises
elevator fun

[Mbilmey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly entertaining. The plot does jump about in a way that's a bit confusing, jerking one along a bit, but loved the idea of a family living in an elevator. Great chapter book for young readers.

[Syed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as I remembered it but still what a funny book

[Mhd]

Finished sample...seemed ok but perhaps a bit too juvenile. LIbrary doesn't have it at all.

[Concetta Kellough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quirky characters and plot that I enjoyed.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute book!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, quick read. Silly. Through some of the details felt outdated. Charlie gave it a 4. I would have done more of a 3.5

[Charissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book many times as a young kid. This book has ignited my bibliophile self that I want to. be in the bookstore just to look at books and eventually read them.

[Library Lady Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hockessin Library - 7 & 8 Year Old Book Group - March 2024

[Joyce Shutts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice little story!