La stanza 13

Fliss Morgan #1

by Robert Swindells, Mariapia Chiodi (Translator)

Una normalissima gita scolastica, con i ragazzi che fanno chiasso sul pullman e i professori che guidano il gruppo da un monumento all’altro. Ma Fliss, tormentata da un incubo premonitore, si rende conto che l’albergo in cui la scolaresca è ospitata nasconde segreti inquietanti, e che la sua compagna Ellie May è in pericolo. Inutile chiedere aiuto ai professori: chi le crederebbe, se rivelasse che la misteriosa stanza numero 13 ospita una presenza malefica? Cosí Fliss e i suoi amici devono affrontare una terrificante avventura che non potranno raccontare a nessuno..

Genres: Horror, Childrens, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Mystery, School, Vampires

117 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Robert Swindells was born in Bradford in 1939, the eldest of five children. He left the local Secondary Modern School at fifteen to work as a copy holder on the local newspaper. At seventeen he enlisted in the RAF and served for three years, two in Germany. On being discharged he worked as a clerk, engineer and printer until 1969 when he entered college to train as a teacher having obtained five 'O' levels at night-school. His first book 'When Darkness Comes' was written as a college thesis and published by Hodder and Stoughton in 1972. In 1980 he gave up teaching to write full time. He likes travelling and visits many schools each year, talking and reading stories to children. He is the secutatry of his local Peace Movement group. Brother in the Land is his first book for Oxford University Press. He is married with two grown-up daughters and lives in Bradford.

Author description taken from Brother in the Land.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this novel as a nine-year-old, and then insisted on reading it to my brother. He has since read it to both of my nephews. For a child, it gives a delicious thrill. Swindells is a very effective horror writer. More importantly, for me, he gets the dialogue pitch perfect for children. The backdrop of the school trip will remind anyone of the trips they took while at school, from the coach trip to being allocated rooms to sneaking around at night. This is a great novel as well for reluctant readers, because it is written directly and simply. Very recommended for middle grade readers.

[[ J o ] · Rating 2 out of 5]

A spooky linen cupboard in a hotel makes Fliss think there's something not quite right happening in the seaside town of Whitby...

This is really cute little book, despite it being a "horror". A horror for children, of course. I wasn't wholly convinced by the dialogue, and I am sadly a bit too old to really care for the storyline, but it was utterly charming to be completely transported. Whitby is almost a second home to me and I was walking down every street and entering every single shop with these children on their little holiday.

It does create a very good atmosphere, but I think there could have been more added to bolster the mysterious element of the story. It seemed quick-paced, but on the wrong side of quick. Still an enjoyable read, though it would never have been picked up if it hadn't been set in Whitby.

[Ahmad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this at school

[Ajeje Brazov · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐⭐1/2

Un amarcord dietro l'altro di Piccoli Brividi d'antan, però poca caratterizzazione dei personaggi che comunque risultano ampiamente antipatici e sempre scontrosi, finale un po' tirato per i capelli.
Ma alla fine si fa leggere bene ed è scorrevole al punto giusto. Sicuramente lo avrei apprezzato di più una trentina d'anni fa, ma piacevole aver fatto un tuffo nel passato.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was absolutely brilliant. One thing I never knew before I read it; Dracula lives in a hotel. Haha, who knew?

Seriously though, it is an amazing read and I definitely recommend it to any YA readers. I first read this book in my English class at school when I was about 14, at first I wasn't too into it, but after the first couple of chapters I really started to like it. Every English lesson I became very excited to continue with the book. It has been a favourite of mine for a long time.

I hope others enjoy it as much as I have.

[Bette · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been some years since I read this book. 10 maybe? Yikes. It was back when I was in the first few years of comprehensive school so between 11 and 14. What I do remember though is that I absolutely loved it. I picked it up because my favourite number is actually 13. So I am drawn to a lot of things with 13 in them, some shape or form.

The book itself is about a group of tennagers who go on a schooltrip to Whitby and stay in a hotel. The main protagonist (Fliss I think) realises there is no Room 13 except at Midnight when a cupboard transforms into it. (Kind of reminds me of Toms Midnight Garden for some reason. Like I said I have a thing about the number 13). In the book there a ton of other mysterious and spooky(?) things apart from the room itself. Most of it points to the most infamous vampire in literature - as the setting suggests.

I'd question the spooky-ness of it because as a teenager, I did find it 'scary' in that thriller/mystery way. But if I read it now I probably won't think of it as creepy as I did back then. It is worth a read though, especially if you like teenage horror novels.

[Ti Emme Rock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Libro per ragazzi, letto per lavoro, adatto alla prima media. Sebbene rivolto ad un pubblico di pre adolescenti, risulta troppo banale e scontato. I personaggi sono stereotipati e privi di spessore.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a gripping story. Cannot wait to share this with my class!

[AlenGarou · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Romanzo di culto del genere horror per ragazzi, La stanza 13 è una tappa obbligatoria che ho saltato durante l’infanzia e mi sono ritrovata a recuperare sulla soglia dei 30 anni. Bene ma non benissimo, mi dicono dalla regia.
L’idea di per sé è funzionale: una gita scolastica, il mistero dell’albergo, un cittadina costiera che nasconde un segreto. A livello di narrazione, sfrutta bene le atmosfere e il mistero legato agli eventi che scombussoleranno Fliss, la protagonista. Persino le scene finali sono ben pensate e costruite, arrivando a un climax compatto e adrenalinico.
Il problema principale è che i personaggi sono irritanti da morire. Almeno per me.
Ma dopotutto sono ragazzini e io una vecchia acida pronta a menarli col bastone. Mea culpa.
Sarà che sono di molto fuori target, ma non nascondo che l’avrei apprezzato di più se fossi stata più giovane. Ad ogni modo rimane una buona lettura per ragazzi, sopratutto in astinenza di Piccoli Brividi.

[Shauna Jane]

Room 13 was a great story, it was about some school kids about 12 or 13 going on a school trip to Whitby, then they end up going to a stange hotel called The Crows Nest. I would say that the main genre is horror with a bit of imagination in it.

Fliss is one of the main charcters with her best friend Lisa, there are some boys which are in there to, I would say that they are likable because I liked them. I liked Lisa and Fliss and the boys because it feeled like I was there with them feeling there fears, also like I was feeling the whole experience.

I like when Fliss got her friends to stay up with her and watched..... because it was quite scary and not what you get in an normal horror book. I didn't like when Fliss had that drem about the room because I think it gave it away, but antherwise it was amazing.

I think I would recommend this book to 12 and 13 year olds, because I like they would have the same experience that I had. GOOD LUCK READERS!!!

[Francesca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un horror gotico per ragazzi intrigante e coinvolgente, capace di catturare l'attenzione fin dalle primissime righe.
La lettura è scorrevole, adatta anche a ragazzi e ragazze che masticano pochi libri (133 pagine che si divorano in un attimo!). L'ambientazione è perfettamente in linea con il genere: il fascino del North Yorkshire, delle abbazie e dei ruderi mette voglia di partire all'avventura per scoprire i luoghi e le leggende che fanno da sfondo alla storia.
Peccato per il finale un po' affrettato, mentre libri di questo genere si reggono molto sulla suspense.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beware the Room of Doom!

A book my Mum would read with her Year 6 class in the early 2000s. Feels old-fashioned (published in 1989), which only adds to it's charm. An easy read with some cool characters. A bit of a Goosebumps feel - but maybe not as scary? Glad I dipped into this old skool number. Worth a read if you want something a bit different!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am perhaps a little old for the storyline and the usage of language, as it is geared towards children and young teenagers, however I read this as a child myself, and as someone from Yorkshire, who often holidays to Whitby, with a particularly strong interest in vampires and Dracula, it brims with nostalgia, and I enjoyed this little two and a half hour read thoroughly.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I read it repeatedly in primary school, although I can't remember the end. And I remember going to a different library and borrowing "Room 13", and it ended up being a completely different book, and I loved that one too, but I could never find it again...

[Sally68 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mia figlia darebbe una stellina in più...
Corto, poco piu di cento pagine, scorrevole, di facile comprensione, adatto per avvicinare i ragazzi ai primi libri "da paura" ..
Mia figlia si è appassionata...

[Sammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this book in a charity shop and I got all nostalgic! I read this book in Year 7 English and thought I’d read it again! Very fast moving book and short only 123 pages, which is good! It’s made me what to go to Whitby, that’s for sure, haha. Overall I’d give this book a 4.3/5

[Catherine Pinkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely children's read for Halloween. Especially enjoyed it as set in Whitby which is about twenty miles away from my home.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nervously revisiting some favourites from childhood, hoping they hold up.

Update: delightful.

[Les McFarlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous little spooky story! Fliss has a vivid dream the night before her class leaves for a residential trip to Whitby. The dream shakes Fliss up to the point where she doesn’t want to go. But with the light of the next day comes Fliss’ resolve to go and have a good time. This will not be the class holiday she was hoping for.
Her dream starts to rip through into reality. She does have friends who help her to crack the mystery of room 13. They need to be more courageous than they’ve ever needed to be before.
I love the writing. I love the vivid descriptions of Whitby. Without harping on and saying too much, Swindells captures that coast beautifully.
Obviously written in a time when children didn’t speak to teachers as they do now. However, if you’re old enough to remember when things functioned as they do in the story then you will probably really (as I did) enjoy this. You’ll go a long way to find a better example of suspense writing for children to experience.

[Anna [Floanne] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un horror per ragazzini (come età di lettura non andrei oltre gli 11/12 anni) che mi ha ricordato un po’ la serie dei “Piccoli Brividi” (come anni mi sa che ci siamo). Alla mia età è una lettura che non dice molto, ma sicuramente nella mente dei più giovani le avventure vissute da Fliss e i suoi amici durante questa gita indimenticabile rimarranno ben impresse, complice lo stile narrativo semplice ma in grado di creare nel lettore quella giusta suspense che impone di girare la pagina ma con un po’ di tremarella. Voto: 3 stelle.
Ora lo passo al giudizio della piccola di casa che ha l’età giusta per apprezzarlo (o stroncarlo).

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was read to me at school when I was about 8/9 years old and I loved it. I have been looking for my own copy since my teacher read it. I am now 24 and I finally found a copy yesterday in Whitby (I know!). The story had stayed with me since I first heard it but it was great to reread it and have my own copy for my bookcase. I mean is is the book that made me fall in love with the supernatural and is probably why I love Whitby and Dracula so much!

[Ellie Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I'm too old to really get into the storyline or find it scary as it is clear this book is directed at children. I do like the creativity and imagination that went into this book though.

[Uliii · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bellissimo dopo aver letto Coraline ho voluto leggere horror e questo è perfetto per i ragazzi di 12 anni. Molto Consigliato.

[Jay Wagemans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leuk boek voor kinderen. Geeft me het Kippenvel-gevoel. De opbouw van het verhaal en de spanning zat goed in elkaar, alleen was de climax voor mij te gehaast.

[chiaa.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

CHE ANSIA💫

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the first audiobooks I listened to when I was younger. Was one I always listened to!

[Dannielle Potts · Rating 3 out of 5]

How Sad That This Took Me Years To Read. I Started This Long Ago, Many Times But The Threat Of What Was Behind Room 13's Door Always Made Me Stop. So, At The Grand Age Of 28 I Delved In Again & Managed To Finish It. The Fact That The Writing Scared Me So Much Back Then Makes This A Great Book

[Miss Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great pace and a lovely story line, although it seems like it’s taken me almost 24 hours to actually read it, I think it took 4 when actually squishing the minuets together! But to review…

This was such a lovely little read, definitely had some creepy elements and some funny little moments, I can fully see the Appeal to children, I will be passing it onto my boys now. The spook aspect of Dracula and the haunting of his legend mixed with children’s imagination and the potential for it to feel so read to them when reading was great! I’m glad I finally got round to reading this little gem!

[Racheline Keto · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is about a class that when into an hotel and there was something wrong about it.This genre is horror you can tell because of the front cover and how the girl is opening the door.

The charecters are very likabel because when there acting you can tell if there rude of there sceared sometime they don't like each other but in the end the are triying to find out what is going on in the hotel.

I like when one charecter called fliss what triying to find out what was happening and why every night the number 13 was coming on the door bt in the morning there was no number on the door.I diden't really like the part when fliss had a dream that she was walking about and then she saw the hotel or the big gates.

I would recommend this books to 12.13 years of age because it horror and if littel kids read this they will be scared and they won't go to bed children from this age will love this book because if you staret to read it you can't waite to finish it.

[Fatima · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is about room 13
fliss has a bad dream and then she gose to her mum and says i dont want to go to the trip and then the mum says dont worry
its just a dream it want happen.The next day
she went to the trip and then i came true.
when she first got there her teachers were puting them in rooms.fliss got room 10 and besid her room there was a cupbored
and it was room 13.her friend lisa went to the shop and bought
a toughch and then her teacher found out and had to write and sorry letter and lisa had to miss out the fun.lisan was besid her best friend fliss her room was 11.fliss heard crying when she was in bed.