The Fish in Room 11

by Heather Dyer

Toby can't remember a time he didn't live at the seaside hotel. When he meets Eliza Flot down by the pier, he takes to her, well, like a fish to water. And when he meets her parents, that tips the scales even more. So what if they're mermaids?

Genres: Fantasy, Mermaids, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Mystery, Young Adult

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Rizal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this one much better than The Boy In The Biscuit Tin.

[Kizzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this when I was 11 years old, and found it both hilarious and sweet. It's stayed with me throughout my teen years and, dare I say it, I'd read it again in a heartbeat. Definitely an enthralling story for young girls and boys alike, and a charming one for older teens like me.

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went through a mermaid stage when all I read was mermaid books!!! And this was one of them!!!

[Jessica Riben]

Title: The Fish in Room 11
Author: Heather Dyer
Illustrator: N/A
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Theme(s): Ocean, Underwater creatures, Orphan, Greed
Opening line/sentence: Cook’s red stockings were the first to escape.
Brief Book Summary: Toby has lived in the Grand Hotel ever since he was born because the cleaning people found him in a room and no one ever claimed him. The mean hotel manager put him to work everyday in exchange for room and board. One day when Toby forgot to get the laundry, he went outside to get it and he met a mermaid named Eliza. He went back with her to a cave where she lived with her parents, who were also mermaids. The mother gave Toby a ring that belonged to the Duke. When the mean manager saw the ring, he had treasure hunters search for more gold and jewelry. Toby realized the family of mermaids was no longer safe so he stuck them into the hotel to keep them away from the Hunters.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Alison Poore (Children's Literature)
The young protagonist, Toby, lives in the attic of a beachfront hotel, The Grand, where he does laundry and waits on guests. One day, he leaves the laundry out on the line, and it blows away. Toby has to go along the beach looking for the missing laundry. While searching, he meets a mermaid named Eliza Flot. Eliza takes Toby into her family's hidden cave to meet her parents, Gertrude and Albert Flot. Inside the Flots' cave are trunks of jewelry and other odds and ends. The Flots give Toby a ring as he leaves their cave. Once Toby is back at the hotel, Mr. Harris, the hotel manager, sees Toby's new ring and immediately knows where it came from. It is part of the Duke of Dudley's jewels that were lost at sea when his ship sank. Word gets out that some of the jewels have resurfaced, and people start searching the beach for the remainder of the treasures. The beach is covered with holes, and Toby fears that someone will discover the Flots' hidden cave. The real adventure starts when Toby has to disguise the Flots and sneak them into the hotel. Together, Toby and the Flot family embark on a hilarious quest of survival and trickery as they try to outwit the grouchy, money-hungry Mr. Harris. During the adventure, the fun-loving and carefree Flots make many friends who enjoy the light-hearted singing and joy they bring to the hotel. The limited number of black pencil illustrations allow the readers to use their imagination and develop the characters and setting of this story. 2004, The Chicken House/Scholastic Inc, $15.95. Ages 9 to 12.
(PUBLISHER: Chicken House/Scholastic (New York:), PUBLISHED: c2004.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Janice M. Del Negro (The Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books, June 2004 (Vol. 57, No. 10))
Toby lives in the attic of The Grand, a seaside hotel palace fallen into disrepair. A foundling, left on the bed in number twenty-three some years ago, he has been brought up by the hotel staff and earns his place by doing whatever jobs the hotel manager, Mr. Harris, assigns him. Toby's circumscribed existence undergoes a startling transformation when he makes friends with Eliza Flot, a young mermaid living with her parents in a cave under the pier. After a gift from Eliza's mother puts Toby in the spotlight and endangers the merfolk, Toby sneaks the Flots into the hotel and hides them from hordes of treasure seekers who have invaded the beach. Nigel, Harris' sneaky son, discovers the Flots' true nature and tells his father; Mr. Harris schemes to exploit the merpeople through exhibits and experiments, but a last-minute escape discredits him and puts the Flots far beyond his reach. The humorous plot is farfetched but cohesive, well supported by the wholesome charm of the innocent Toby and his good-natured friends. The carefree writing, replete with dialogue, is well shaped for reading aloud, and the black-and-white line drawings have a jolly insouciance that suits the cheery tone of the text. The saving of the sometimes cheerily oblivious Flots is not surprising, but the redemption of Nigel is another kettle of very satisfying fish. Younger fantasy readers, as well as grownups seeking a chapter-by-chapter bedtime story, will appreciate this just slightly suspenseful, good-humored story. Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2004, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2004, Chicken House/Scholastic, 158p, $15.95. Grades 3-5.
(PUBLISHER: Chicken House/Scholastic (New York:), PUBLISHED: c2004.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews talk about the crazy adventures that Toby has with the Flots, having to sneak them into the hotel and hiding their identity. The first review tells is that the limited number of black pencil illustrations allows the readers to use their imagination and develop the characters and setting of this story. The second review talks about how this book would be a good bedtime story for children because it is slightly suspenseful and filled with good humor.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
This book is broken up into little chapters with few illustrations that force the children to use their imaginations. It gives us a story about a boy who meets a nice family and helps them escape trouble when they are put in danger. Toby shows that he is a great friend to the mermaids and the mermaids enjoy their time sneaking around the hotel. This book shows how to help a friend in need.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This is a fun story to read to a class because it has twists and turns that force them to think about what will happen next. For a writing activity I would give the students a storyboard and tell them that they just got a new pet that their parents do not want them have. The students will come up with a story telling us where and how they would hide their new pets. They will also tell us what will happen in their parents ever found out. Once they have their story written out, they will be able to draw pictures of the different places that they would hide their secret pet.

[Elza Kinde · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a chance discovery leads to everyone at The Grand becoming treasure hunters, it's up to Toby to keep a family of merpeople safe from unwanted attention. And what better place to hide them than at the hotel he calls home?

The Fish in Room 11 is a lighthearted story that you can't help but want to read all in one sitting. The seaside hotel setting is absolutely charming, all the quirks about Toby living at The Grand sparks the imagination, there's a clear antagonist in Mr. Harris, but the adult characters are still treated with respect. And I really loved the mermaids.

While a bit slower paced, I enjoyed this thoughtful story immensely and would probably pick it up again just because I enjoyed the setting and language so much. I will definitely be looking for more books from the same author.

[Alice magical library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join Toby on his adventure to save the Flots family from danger.
I found that this book was very gripping g to read, and I loved how Toby sort of lived in this hotel, and how it’s setting is near a beach.
My favourite chapter would probably be either chapter 5 because he met the Flots, or chapter 19 because Toby finally knew who he was and who left him in room 23 in The Grand.
With beautiful descriptions and meaningful illustrations, I would probably rate this a 5 out of 5, and would recommend to all sea lovers.

[Judy Wollin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toby had always lived at the Grand Hotel. Left there as a baby he was the staff’s child. He had one set of clothes, yellow pyjamas, and did all the jobs Mr Harris didn’t want to do.
Cook’s washing had blown all over the beach. Searching under the pier Toby found someone very unusual. She led him into a cave where more things surprised Toby.
What were they and how could Toby, Margot and the Captain keep them safe?
I enjoyed the fantasy of the story.
Recommended for Middle Grade.

[Rosa Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a classic. Utterly charming, with light humour, gorgeous details and memorable characters. An orphan boy in pyjamas, a family of mermaids, a sympathetic cook, a mean hotelier, an aunt who has withdrawn to the attic... all brought together in a (once) Grand Hotel by the sea. A tremendously fun read. Highly recommended.

[Angela Tuson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For younger fans of Eva Ibbotson comes this delightful swish of mermaid-meets-mystery-boy entertainment. Filled with fabulous words like 'promenade', 'billowing', 'opalescent' and 'wriggle-worthy' , while still an easy and encouraging read. A real fluency-builder!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun book for 3 to 4th graders . All the right stuff, old hotel, orphaned boy, treasure, a mystery and mermaids

[James Koppert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute simple but lovely presented little book.

[Federica · Rating 4 out of 5]

another one of my childhood books, i absolutely loved it!

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a surprise, I'm reading middle grade mermaid books again. I love this book it's just so much fun

[July · Rating 2 out of 5]

nu sunt iubitoare a acestui gen ... carte de copii 😑

[Georgina Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute story about a boy and his encounter with one remarkable mermaid family. I would give this one five starfish out of five.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🐠🐠🐠🐠🐠

[Jo Bennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great early reader book for about 7 years of age

Toby lives in the Grand Hotel. He was found abandoned in one of the rooms as a baby and has stayed even since, doing unpaid odd jobs around the hotel for the mean spirited owner Mr Harris.

But then one day during a storm Cook's washing blows away and it's Cake Day, the day when a cruise ship comes to dock. Toby is sent to recover the washing and has found all but Cook's hat, he goes down onto the beach and under the pier and finds Cook's hat, on the head of a girl mermaid, Eliza.

As Eliza introduces Toby to the her parents, Albert and Gayor Flot, a charming story is set in motion which solves the mystery of who Toby's parents are and brings joy back to the Grand Hotel.

Great line illustrations by Peter Bailey capture each character, and the pace and length of the book is just right for an early reader

[Kierra Enty · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a boy named Toby, who was raised by a wealthy household, but was treated as if he were an orphan child. Toby was a bright, smart, and a very clever little boy. He and his family lived by an ocean, and he had seen mermaids one day. He met a girl named Eliza, which was the only child of the Flots. The thing is that Mr.Harris, Tobys biological father, is in search for treasure, so he thinks Toby has an idea of where these valuable items could be found. So with the Captain, and Margots help, Toby helps the Flots move into their Hotel home, to keep not only themselves a secret, but their home full of treasures as a secret.

[Birladeanu Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aceasta carte mi s-a părut una interesantă pe care mi-o doream de mult timp și pe care nu o găseam nicăieri...Este plină de fantezie🧜🏻‍♀️(sirenele) și de realitate👦🏻(povestea de viața a lui Toby). Dar ne arată și o parte urâta a lucrurilor și anume ca oamenilor le plac comorile⚱️și sunt disperați sa le fure!🦹🏻

[Kennedy Cabanus · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fish in room 11 is a good book!
It is about mermaids finding gold and terser. But a mean man found out about it and tried to capture the mermaids.

What i liked about the book is that it was a very funny book!

What I did not like about this book is that the chapters are very long but it is still fun to read it!

[Stephanie Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Toby was left at The Grand when he was just a baby and he has always wondered about who his parents were. When he discovers a family of Mermaids, they say they have been watching him and give him a ring. Toby tries to save them before Mr. Harris exposes them to the world for a profit.

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big Band soundtrack - loads of windy fun that brings a surprise from the sea.

[Mikaylah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one! It is funny,mysterious and well written.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was sweet and funny. No meat on this book though so if you're looking for a thoughtful story, keep looking.

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a cute story to read. children will definitely enjoy reading this!

[Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is about mermaids who come to a hotel. C.V.S.

[Katy Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice simple but fun story for newly emergent independent readers.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amusing and extremely funny book that has you frightened for the lovely Flots, hating Mr. Harris for all of his diabolical deeds and so much more.

[Carrie Dalby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, one my son picked out from the library and I decided to read, too.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty good!