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Seven Stories Up
In this companion to Bigger than a Bread Box, a leap back in time and an unlikely friendship changes the future of one family forever.
Annie has never even met her grandmother before. In fact, she’s never had much family to speak of. So when she and her mother pull into the drive of her grandmother’s home in Baltimore, Annie can hardly contain her excitement!
But when she actually meets her grandma, the bitter old woman doesn’t seem like someone Annie could ever love, or miss. Until one magical, stormy night changes everything.
It’s impossible that Annie could have jumped back in time. . . right? But here she is in 1937— the year her grandmother was just her age!
Molly is an invalid. She lives by herself, on the top floor of a hotel. She seems a little lonely, but friendly and fun, nothing like the horrible old woman Annie just met.
Annie entices Molly down from her room, and together the two girls roam. They sneak around the grand hotel, and explore the brick streets of old Baltimore. Carnivals and taxis, midnight raids on the kitchen. The two grow closer.
But as Molly becomes bolder, and ventures further from the safety of her room, Annie begins to wonder how she’ll ever get back home. Maybe she’s changed the past a little too much. . .
Annie has never even met her grandmother before. In fact, she’s never had much family to speak of. So when she and her mother pull into the drive of her grandmother’s home in Baltimore, Annie can hardly contain her excitement!
But when she actually meets her grandma, the bitter old woman doesn’t seem like someone Annie could ever love, or miss. Until one magical, stormy night changes everything.
It’s impossible that Annie could have jumped back in time. . . right? But here she is in 1937— the year her grandmother was just her age!
Molly is an invalid. She lives by herself, on the top floor of a hotel. She seems a little lonely, but friendly and fun, nothing like the horrible old woman Annie just met.
Annie entices Molly down from her room, and together the two girls roam. They sneak around the grand hotel, and explore the brick streets of old Baltimore. Carnivals and taxis, midnight raids on the kitchen. The two grow closer.
But as Molly becomes bolder, and ventures further from the safety of her room, Annie begins to wonder how she’ll ever get back home. Maybe she’s changed the past a little too much. . .
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 28, 2014
20 people are currently reading
1433 people want to read
About the author
Laurel Snyder
39 books807 followersLaurel Snyder is the author of six children's novels, "Orphan Island," "Seven Stories Up," "Bigger than a Bread Box," "Penny Dreadful," "Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains OR The Search for a Suitable Princess" and "Any Which Wall" (Random House) as well as many picture books, including "Charlie & Mouse," "The Forever Garden," "Swan, the life and dance of Anna Pavlova," and "Baxter, the Pig Who Wanted to Be Kosher."
A graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop and a former Michener Fellow, she also writes books for grownups, and is the author of a book of poems, "The Myth of the Simple Machines" (No Tell Books) and a chapbook, "Daphne & Jim: a choose-your-own-adventure biography in verse (Burnside Review Press) and the editor of an anthology, "Half/Life: Jew-ish Tales from Interfaith Homes" (Soft Skull Press).
Though Baltimore will always be her home, she now lives happily in Atlanta.
A graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop and a former Michener Fellow, she also writes books for grownups, and is the author of a book of poems, "The Myth of the Simple Machines" (No Tell Books) and a chapbook, "Daphne & Jim: a choose-your-own-adventure biography in verse (Burnside Review Press) and the editor of an anthology, "Half/Life: Jew-ish Tales from Interfaith Homes" (Soft Skull Press).
Though Baltimore will always be her home, she now lives happily in Atlanta.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
April 29, 2015
Time-traveling granddaughters, attack chickens, magic dust, deserted hotels, dumbwaiter rides, laundry chutes, thunderstorms, and midnight kitchen-raids.
I wrote this book, which may or may not be autobiographical...
I hope you like it!
I wrote this book, which may or may not be autobiographical...
I hope you like it!
August 21, 2019
I actually read Laurel Snyder's Seven Stories Up in 2014, and then promptly forgot to rate and review it, leaving it forgotten and languishing on my "currently reading" shelf until today, mostly because while I have absolutely adored the general storyline, I was finding the ending of Seven Stories Up to be somewhat of an annoying and personally frustrating if not massive let-down for me, as it was feeling like yet simply another standard time travel fantasy conclusion (with the main protagonist, with Annie, returning from her sojourn into the past, into her family's past, and having indeed changed it to make the future, to make the present more positive for everyone, but NO ONE except for Annie is seemingly aware of this, NO ONE but she realises and remembers). And while yes, it is indeed cheering and heartening that Annie is able to go back in time and that she thus basically rescues her grandmother Molly from a lifetime of nasty bitterness and curmudgeondom, I for one would have definitely enjoyed Seven Stories Up considerably more if upon Annie's return to the present, her grandmother (who had been on her death-bed and bitter, had never met her granddaughter and was refusing to even see her) had still been both alive and eager to meet Annie (and had actually remembered her granddaughter from the past, from their meeting as little girls and their adventures and escapades both in and outside of the Baltimore hotel room that had been Molly's home, that had been in fact, her entire life, her entire existence).
For while it is positive and indeed very much and massively so that Annie's time traveling sojourn has been successful, that her meeting with Grandmother Molly as a lonely and ill little girl stuck in a hotel room all by herself makes Molly not only considerably less lonely and increasingly bold, less timid, but actually changes Molly's entire life for the better (and by extension, also the lives of both Annie's mother and herself), reading about all these wrought changes rather second-hand so to speak (simply being told about them by Annie's mother) feels more than a trifle frustrating for me as a reader. And quite frankly, I also rather choose to believe that this really must (or at least should) also seem similarly annoying to and for Annie (who at the end of the novel, at the end of Seven Stories Up, gets told, gets informed by her mother that in the new and better, more positive reality created by her due to her time travelling, her grandmother has always been a part of their lives, has often visited, has much loved and cherished her granddaughter, but to Annie, these "new" memories at first feel strange and unknown, and in my opinion, a much more satisfying ending for Seven Stories Up would have been for Annie to still have been able to meet with her grandmother, her new and improved grandmother, upon her return from the past, to actually have met Molly in person and in a positive, loving manner before the grandmother's death, and perhaps for the grandmother, for Molly, to even have remembered Annie from the past, to have been able to discuss the past and Annie's role in changing the past for a better present and future with her).
Still, Laurel Snyder's Seven Stories Up is to be recommended, as Annie's and Molly's Baltimore adventures (both in and out of the hotel) are not only fun and entertaining, they are also a very good and readable, approachable history lesson of early to mid 20th century America (and especially how invalids, how those with fragile health, like Molly with her severe asthma, often were approached, that doctors often simply isolated the ill, and that this was considered a perhaps lonely but essential and acceptable way of medical "treatment"). And while the novel, while Seven Stories Up, clearly demonstrates that Molly's wealthy and socially connected parents obviously much love their asthma inflicted young daughter, they also do see no issue with absolutely and utterly following the doctor's insistence that Molly be kept alone and isolated, believing that her loneliness and increasing social stagnation and isolation are actually medically necessary and not a recipe for potential disaster for turning a shy but inherently friendly but increasingly depressed and lonesome little girl, turning Molly into an Ebenezer Scrooge like curmudgeon (who is then only rescued from this by a fantastical intervention, by Annie, her time travelling granddaughter, who opens up Molly's world and makes Molly stand up for herself and her future happiness). Two and a half stars (and while I truly have much enjoyed Seven Stories Up, the oh so mundanely standard and as such to and for me supremely tedious time-travel novel ending does kind of take much of the shine off of my reading pleasure, and yes, enough to not be willing to as yet consider three stars).
For while it is positive and indeed very much and massively so that Annie's time traveling sojourn has been successful, that her meeting with Grandmother Molly as a lonely and ill little girl stuck in a hotel room all by herself makes Molly not only considerably less lonely and increasingly bold, less timid, but actually changes Molly's entire life for the better (and by extension, also the lives of both Annie's mother and herself), reading about all these wrought changes rather second-hand so to speak (simply being told about them by Annie's mother) feels more than a trifle frustrating for me as a reader. And quite frankly, I also rather choose to believe that this really must (or at least should) also seem similarly annoying to and for Annie (who at the end of the novel, at the end of Seven Stories Up, gets told, gets informed by her mother that in the new and better, more positive reality created by her due to her time travelling, her grandmother has always been a part of their lives, has often visited, has much loved and cherished her granddaughter, but to Annie, these "new" memories at first feel strange and unknown, and in my opinion, a much more satisfying ending for Seven Stories Up would have been for Annie to still have been able to meet with her grandmother, her new and improved grandmother, upon her return from the past, to actually have met Molly in person and in a positive, loving manner before the grandmother's death, and perhaps for the grandmother, for Molly, to even have remembered Annie from the past, to have been able to discuss the past and Annie's role in changing the past for a better present and future with her).
Still, Laurel Snyder's Seven Stories Up is to be recommended, as Annie's and Molly's Baltimore adventures (both in and out of the hotel) are not only fun and entertaining, they are also a very good and readable, approachable history lesson of early to mid 20th century America (and especially how invalids, how those with fragile health, like Molly with her severe asthma, often were approached, that doctors often simply isolated the ill, and that this was considered a perhaps lonely but essential and acceptable way of medical "treatment"). And while the novel, while Seven Stories Up, clearly demonstrates that Molly's wealthy and socially connected parents obviously much love their asthma inflicted young daughter, they also do see no issue with absolutely and utterly following the doctor's insistence that Molly be kept alone and isolated, believing that her loneliness and increasing social stagnation and isolation are actually medically necessary and not a recipe for potential disaster for turning a shy but inherently friendly but increasingly depressed and lonesome little girl, turning Molly into an Ebenezer Scrooge like curmudgeon (who is then only rescued from this by a fantastical intervention, by Annie, her time travelling granddaughter, who opens up Molly's world and makes Molly stand up for herself and her future happiness). Two and a half stars (and while I truly have much enjoyed Seven Stories Up, the oh so mundanely standard and as such to and for me supremely tedious time-travel novel ending does kind of take much of the shine off of my reading pleasure, and yes, enough to not be willing to as yet consider three stars).
September 23, 2013
I love this book. I LOVE this book.
SEVEN STORIES UP is heartfelt and honest. Emotionally, it is gripping; intellectually, it is stimulating (and just challenging enough for young readers, I might add). In short, it is pitch perfect. It hit me on a gut, personal level - especially early this morning as I finished reading its final pages. The premise is this: Annie, who has never met her grandma before, travels with her mom to the Hotel Calvert, where her grandma is actually on her deathbed. (See what I mean when I say this book is "heartfelt" and "honest?") I don't want to give away too much about what happens. SEVEN STORIES UP is released on January 14, so go ahead and add it to your "to-read in 2014" list and be prepared to get waaay more out of it than you think you're in for... And it's not morose; it's just real. And it's full of love - gosh, if there isn't love on every page. I found Annie's relationship with her mother to be remarkable, and it reminded me quite a bit of my relationship with my own mom.
I lost a grandparent when I was Annie's age. I also lost a grandparent this past summer. And though it's an experience nearly everyone goes through, no one can quite prepare you for it. It is hard; it is one of the hardest things ever, I think. About a month ago, I finished Lydia Netzer's SHINE SHINE SHINE and said, "sometimes a book just comes into your life at the perfect time." I feel exactly the same about Laurel Snyder's book here. Comforting, fulfilling, and optimistic, it is exactly the kind of book that every young reader deserves to have on his or her shelf. And, I guarantee, this is one book that will be shared and loved for generations and generations to come.
SEVEN STORIES UP is heartfelt and honest. Emotionally, it is gripping; intellectually, it is stimulating (and just challenging enough for young readers, I might add). In short, it is pitch perfect. It hit me on a gut, personal level - especially early this morning as I finished reading its final pages. The premise is this: Annie, who has never met her grandma before, travels with her mom to the Hotel Calvert, where her grandma is actually on her deathbed. (See what I mean when I say this book is "heartfelt" and "honest?") I don't want to give away too much about what happens. SEVEN STORIES UP is released on January 14, so go ahead and add it to your "to-read in 2014" list and be prepared to get waaay more out of it than you think you're in for... And it's not morose; it's just real. And it's full of love - gosh, if there isn't love on every page. I found Annie's relationship with her mother to be remarkable, and it reminded me quite a bit of my relationship with my own mom.
I lost a grandparent when I was Annie's age. I also lost a grandparent this past summer. And though it's an experience nearly everyone goes through, no one can quite prepare you for it. It is hard; it is one of the hardest things ever, I think. About a month ago, I finished Lydia Netzer's SHINE SHINE SHINE and said, "sometimes a book just comes into your life at the perfect time." I feel exactly the same about Laurel Snyder's book here. Comforting, fulfilling, and optimistic, it is exactly the kind of book that every young reader deserves to have on his or her shelf. And, I guarantee, this is one book that will be shared and loved for generations and generations to come.
April 18, 2014
When I stand in front of a class with a stack of 15 books my book talk is similar to an auction chant, "Here's a book 'bout a girl locked in a room. That's right, locked in a room. She's rescued by her granddaughter who's traveled back in time. Imagine that, grandma as a teen. Who wants to read this book? Do I see a taker? Adventures in a hotel. Explorations in dumbwaiters. Flights down fire escapes. Travels in laundry chutes. Again who wants to read this book? Do I see a hand? One hand up, do I see two, will ya give me two? Two hands, now three, will ya give me three? Going, going, gone! Sold, to the first person that raised her hand." Just kidding. I have never tried that before. Might be a good way to mix things up in the routine. Either way I will chant about "Seven Stories Up" in my next booktalk.
Annie Jaffin travels with her mom to visit her estranged grandma in a Baltimore hotel where she grew up. The grandma is hostile and mean making 12-year-old Annie wonder what happened to her in life to make her such a nasty, rotten egg. A strange storm hits in the night and Annie wakes up 50 years earlier in 1937 where she meets her grandmother, Mary Moran, a young girl who is locked in a room because she has asthma and her parents are afraid she'll die if she's around others. Mary, who goes by the name "Molly", wishes so hard for a friend that Annie magically appears there although Molly doesn't know Annie is her granddaughter. Annie knows that Molly will live to be old and talks her into escaping the "Lonely Room." The two have fun adventures that capture childhood and friendship and how small or large decisions can have consequences as to how a person will grow into an adult.
I have a folder labeled, "Great starts," to a novel. I added this book's beginning to that folder. The first pages hooked me with the tension and great description of setting and character. "You're supposed to cry when your grandma is dying. You're supposed to be really sad. But as Mom and I sped through the dark streets of Baltimore, I couldn't stop bouncing in my seat. At last I stuck my head out the window and leaned into the muggy night. My hair whipped around. The sharp rush of air felt good on my face." I was immediately drawn to the liveliness and energy of Annie that could not be contained. She sounds like a puppy who gets to go for a car ride and life is just too much fun to be sad. Annie's mom is mysterious about her past and Annie doesn't really know her grandma. Her character is such that she is brave and inquisitive, making her actions consistent throughout the entire story, which is necessary in the development of her relationship with Molly.
One of the best things about reading children's books is it reminds me of the fun kid-things I used to do such as playing games like "Jinx" that Annie and Molly play. The two also play hand-slapping games and have fun exploring the hotel.The laundry chute and dumbwaiter escape from the "Lonely Room" is great fun and the late night run for food that they dubbed, "Sneakypies," was something I know my best friend and I would have acted out if this book was written in the 1970s. The "Sneakypie" connection in the future at the end with the restaurant was a nice touch as well. I particularly liked it when the girls make a list of what they want to do for the next day that leads them into a pretend game of dreaming big. Annie says she wants to travel to Egypt. Molly says she wants to fly. They add famous people and pizza to the list. It is imaginative and shows how children don't set boundaries on themselves like adults do. When Annie adds to the list that she wants to save someone's life, meaning she wants to save her grandma from a lifetime of unhappiness, she is revealing the overall story arc. Every action points to Annie trying to help her grandma.
While the book references "Eloise" who lived in a grand hotel and the magic of the wardrobe in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," it is mostly patterned after "The Secret Garden." Mary Lennox in "The Secret Garden" was spoiled and unlikable to people. She is so lonely and isolated that her only friend is a maidservant. Molly in "Seven Stories" is also unlikable and mean toward her nurse at first before becoming friends. The relationship between Molly and her nurse felt rushed to me because Annie is telling it from her point of view. Molly's point of view would have given me a feel for what she was thinking and feeling. As is, Molly's bossy attitude toward her nurse changed because of Annie's scolding and it happened quickly. I kept expecting Molly to be more nasty and self-centered. She is more likable than the characters in "The Secret Garden."
Molly in "Seven Stories Up" has asthma and is so sick the parents think she will die. Colin in "the Secret Garden," suffers from some spine problem that isn't explained and confined to a bedroom just like Molly is in this novel. Colin is the most ill-tempered character of all having spectacular temper-tantrums. Molly is not as cranky as either Colin or Mary in "The Secret Garden," being more desperate for a friend to play with on a daily basis. Colin believes the garden can heal him because it has Magic. Molly believes a bottle of Magic potion will heal her from her asthma. While the garden was a symbol of rebirth for the two kids who lost their parents in "The Secret Garden", Molly's rebirth occurs from being saved by Annie who gives her the courage to stand up to her dad and not be locked in a room. Annie will turn Molly from the future unhappy grandma into a person who is not stunted by fear and loneliness. This message actually reminds me of the Chronicles of Narnia where unhappy humans are portrayed as people that do not reach their potential; hence, they never find happiness in life and are stunted in their growth as individuals.
An interesting note by the author in the back explains how she had a grandma who owned a hotel and was a very unhappy person. While the story is not about the grandma it is the author's fantasy of changing her relative into a person that led a full life full of joy and happiness. This reminds me of "The Hundred Dresses" where the author wrote it to change how she reacted to a girl being bullied when she was little. In that book, she stands up for the girl and rights a wrong. Life can be full of regrets and disappointments. Books help readers and authors cope with life. Another book that is patterned after "The Secret Garden" is "The Humming Room" by Ellen Potter that readers might like. "Seven Stories Up" is a great addition to any library. Going, going, gone! Sold, to the "girl chewing her thumbnail."
Annie Jaffin travels with her mom to visit her estranged grandma in a Baltimore hotel where she grew up. The grandma is hostile and mean making 12-year-old Annie wonder what happened to her in life to make her such a nasty, rotten egg. A strange storm hits in the night and Annie wakes up 50 years earlier in 1937 where she meets her grandmother, Mary Moran, a young girl who is locked in a room because she has asthma and her parents are afraid she'll die if she's around others. Mary, who goes by the name "Molly", wishes so hard for a friend that Annie magically appears there although Molly doesn't know Annie is her granddaughter. Annie knows that Molly will live to be old and talks her into escaping the "Lonely Room." The two have fun adventures that capture childhood and friendship and how small or large decisions can have consequences as to how a person will grow into an adult.
I have a folder labeled, "Great starts," to a novel. I added this book's beginning to that folder. The first pages hooked me with the tension and great description of setting and character. "You're supposed to cry when your grandma is dying. You're supposed to be really sad. But as Mom and I sped through the dark streets of Baltimore, I couldn't stop bouncing in my seat. At last I stuck my head out the window and leaned into the muggy night. My hair whipped around. The sharp rush of air felt good on my face." I was immediately drawn to the liveliness and energy of Annie that could not be contained. She sounds like a puppy who gets to go for a car ride and life is just too much fun to be sad. Annie's mom is mysterious about her past and Annie doesn't really know her grandma. Her character is such that she is brave and inquisitive, making her actions consistent throughout the entire story, which is necessary in the development of her relationship with Molly.
One of the best things about reading children's books is it reminds me of the fun kid-things I used to do such as playing games like "Jinx" that Annie and Molly play. The two also play hand-slapping games and have fun exploring the hotel.The laundry chute and dumbwaiter escape from the "Lonely Room" is great fun and the late night run for food that they dubbed, "Sneakypies," was something I know my best friend and I would have acted out if this book was written in the 1970s. The "Sneakypie" connection in the future at the end with the restaurant was a nice touch as well. I particularly liked it when the girls make a list of what they want to do for the next day that leads them into a pretend game of dreaming big. Annie says she wants to travel to Egypt. Molly says she wants to fly. They add famous people and pizza to the list. It is imaginative and shows how children don't set boundaries on themselves like adults do. When Annie adds to the list that she wants to save someone's life, meaning she wants to save her grandma from a lifetime of unhappiness, she is revealing the overall story arc. Every action points to Annie trying to help her grandma.
While the book references "Eloise" who lived in a grand hotel and the magic of the wardrobe in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," it is mostly patterned after "The Secret Garden." Mary Lennox in "The Secret Garden" was spoiled and unlikable to people. She is so lonely and isolated that her only friend is a maidservant. Molly in "Seven Stories" is also unlikable and mean toward her nurse at first before becoming friends. The relationship between Molly and her nurse felt rushed to me because Annie is telling it from her point of view. Molly's point of view would have given me a feel for what she was thinking and feeling. As is, Molly's bossy attitude toward her nurse changed because of Annie's scolding and it happened quickly. I kept expecting Molly to be more nasty and self-centered. She is more likable than the characters in "The Secret Garden."
Molly in "Seven Stories Up" has asthma and is so sick the parents think she will die. Colin in "the Secret Garden," suffers from some spine problem that isn't explained and confined to a bedroom just like Molly is in this novel. Colin is the most ill-tempered character of all having spectacular temper-tantrums. Molly is not as cranky as either Colin or Mary in "The Secret Garden," being more desperate for a friend to play with on a daily basis. Colin believes the garden can heal him because it has Magic. Molly believes a bottle of Magic potion will heal her from her asthma. While the garden was a symbol of rebirth for the two kids who lost their parents in "The Secret Garden", Molly's rebirth occurs from being saved by Annie who gives her the courage to stand up to her dad and not be locked in a room. Annie will turn Molly from the future unhappy grandma into a person who is not stunted by fear and loneliness. This message actually reminds me of the Chronicles of Narnia where unhappy humans are portrayed as people that do not reach their potential; hence, they never find happiness in life and are stunted in their growth as individuals.
An interesting note by the author in the back explains how she had a grandma who owned a hotel and was a very unhappy person. While the story is not about the grandma it is the author's fantasy of changing her relative into a person that led a full life full of joy and happiness. This reminds me of "The Hundred Dresses" where the author wrote it to change how she reacted to a girl being bullied when she was little. In that book, she stands up for the girl and rights a wrong. Life can be full of regrets and disappointments. Books help readers and authors cope with life. Another book that is patterned after "The Secret Garden" is "The Humming Room" by Ellen Potter that readers might like. "Seven Stories Up" is a great addition to any library. Going, going, gone! Sold, to the "girl chewing her thumbnail."
December 19, 2016
Annie’s grandmother, Molly, has never been a part of her life. The old woman’s bitter unhappiness has kept her family members at a distance, and even now, as she lies dying, she still can’t seem to connect with Annie’s mom, let alone Annie. Annie is troubled by Molly’s cold and nasty disposition, and she wonders what possibly could have happened in her grandmother’s past to cause her bleak outlook on life. When she slips on an old sleeping mask in the room where she is staying, Annie has the opportunity to find out. She is transported from her present life in the 1980s back to her grandmother’s 1930s childhood. As Annie and Molly become friends, Annie realizes that she might have the power to change some things in her grandmother’s past that will bring her peace before she dies.
Though this book is described as a companion novel to Bigger Than a Breadbox, the connection was not immediately obvious to me because it had been so long since I read the first book. Eventually, though, I realized that Rebecca, the protagonist in Bigger Than a Breadbox, is Annie’s daughter, and that Annie’s mom in Seven Stories Up is the grandmother who gives Rebecca the breadbox. Knowing this is not absolutely essential to understanding either story, but the connections do make both stories stronger and more interesting, so hopefully kids will pick up on them more quickly than I did. (I think it helps to read one book right after the other, instead of waiting two years in between.)
Like Bigger Than a Breadbox, Seven Stories Up is a gentle family story with a minor magical twist. The storytelling is very straightforward, and the book is well-structured and well-plotted. The narrative doesn’t rely on gimmicks, tricks, or surprise twists; rather, it is carried quite well by the author’s excellent writing skills. It is simply a good story well told. The language, though simple, is quite lovely in many places, and though the author must have worked hard to create such beautiful sentences, the writing appears effortless and the words flow very naturally. The dialogue sounds genuine, and the descriptions, particularly of emotions, ring very true.
Kids who have already grown fond of Laurel Snyder will not be disappointed by this newest book, and those who have not yet read her work might just have a new favorite author when they have finished this story. The only possible criticism might come from die-hard fantasy fans, as the time traveling component of the story is not fully explained. I actually liked not knowing the ins and outs of the magic, as the mysterious nature of it is part of the fun, but sticklers for strong world-building might find themselves wishing to know the rules of time travel in this universe versus others. My advice would be just not to think too much about the logistics of the time traveling and just go with it. The characters and their relationships to one another at various points in time are the true focus of the book, and the ending of the story is completely and utterly satisfying for anyone who falls in love with these characters.
Though this book is described as a companion novel to Bigger Than a Breadbox, the connection was not immediately obvious to me because it had been so long since I read the first book. Eventually, though, I realized that Rebecca, the protagonist in Bigger Than a Breadbox, is Annie’s daughter, and that Annie’s mom in Seven Stories Up is the grandmother who gives Rebecca the breadbox. Knowing this is not absolutely essential to understanding either story, but the connections do make both stories stronger and more interesting, so hopefully kids will pick up on them more quickly than I did. (I think it helps to read one book right after the other, instead of waiting two years in between.)
Like Bigger Than a Breadbox, Seven Stories Up is a gentle family story with a minor magical twist. The storytelling is very straightforward, and the book is well-structured and well-plotted. The narrative doesn’t rely on gimmicks, tricks, or surprise twists; rather, it is carried quite well by the author’s excellent writing skills. It is simply a good story well told. The language, though simple, is quite lovely in many places, and though the author must have worked hard to create such beautiful sentences, the writing appears effortless and the words flow very naturally. The dialogue sounds genuine, and the descriptions, particularly of emotions, ring very true.
Kids who have already grown fond of Laurel Snyder will not be disappointed by this newest book, and those who have not yet read her work might just have a new favorite author when they have finished this story. The only possible criticism might come from die-hard fantasy fans, as the time traveling component of the story is not fully explained. I actually liked not knowing the ins and outs of the magic, as the mysterious nature of it is part of the fun, but sticklers for strong world-building might find themselves wishing to know the rules of time travel in this universe versus others. My advice would be just not to think too much about the logistics of the time traveling and just go with it. The characters and their relationships to one another at various points in time are the true focus of the book, and the ending of the story is completely and utterly satisfying for anyone who falls in love with these characters.
February 10, 2021
#27 in my 365 Kids Books challenge and request to Goodreads that the Top Readers, etc. lists be fixed. For a full explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.
It's not a picture book, but this one has been on my want-to-read list for quite a while and now turned out to be the right time. Snyder does a great job of staying focused on a single relationship and also taking a look around. Most kids don't think too much about how the world differed when their grandparents were kids, so I love that Snyder very deliberately examines history from a modern viewpoint. And also, it's just a great story about a little bit of adventure, and friendship, and being homesick.
Library copy
It's not a picture book, but this one has been on my want-to-read list for quite a while and now turned out to be the right time. Snyder does a great job of staying focused on a single relationship and also taking a look around. Most kids don't think too much about how the world differed when their grandparents were kids, so I love that Snyder very deliberately examines history from a modern viewpoint. And also, it's just a great story about a little bit of adventure, and friendship, and being homesick.
Library copy
June 17, 2015
Yes, I admit that I am an adult reading a children's book, but I knew the author once upon a time, and I thoroughly enjoy her books. I am not surprised that she is an author, although I can't say I would have pegged her as a children's author, but hey, she does a great job, in my opinion. As a native of Baltimore, I love that this book is set in Baltimore, and I really appreciated all of the details that the author included to make the setting genuine and realistic. Only a native would know that the city used to smell of cinnamon, people here scrub their marble steps, screens are often painted in certain areas of the city, and there really used to be a restaurant called the Buttery on Charles Street! Aside from the setting, I enjoyed the characters and felt like I connected with Annie and Molly. Normally I am not a fan of magic or fantasy in books, but the way Ms. Snyder uses magic in her novels, it works for me. I guess the magic doesn't overwhelm or take away from the story for me. It exists, but mostly as a vehicle for the development of the story. I would have liked to have had the character of Molly's father fleshed out a bit more, and I did find the ending to be a bit strained/unrealistic. It has been my experience that someone who has just lost her mother would not behave quite in that way, although I suppose each person is unique and anything is possible, especially in fiction! Overall though, I thought this was a great book, and I didn't want to put it down while I was reading it.
February 3, 2014
I'm fascinated with this story. Twelve-year old Annie and her mother visit Annie's dying grandmother, an unhappy and cranky woman. When Annie ends waking up in Molly's room in 1937, she realizes she is face to face with her grandmother as a child. She learns that Molly has been locked up in her room, ill with asthma and neglected by her father, living out a life very close to Mary Lennox from The Secret Garden (one of my favorite books as a kid). They begin to sneak out on adventures in Baltimore, where they both learn about the Depression, the impending WW1, and each other. I began to think what it would have been like to visit my grandmothers as children. Would we have been friends? What would the world have been like? Would I see myself in them? I think my students will really enjoy this companion novel to Bigger Than a Bread Box, which I read aloud to them last year. One student snatched my hard copy up right away (I read it on my Kindle because I couldn't wait). I can't wait to talk to him about it Monday! I still have questions about it that seem unresolved and I want to hear what he thinks.
July 23, 2014
There is much to like about this story concerning relationships and time travel. After Annie Jaffin meets her dying grandmother, a woman with whom she had no prior contact, she falls asleep and travels back in time to 1937. Annie is dismayed at how gruff and unloving her grandmother seems and wonders why there has been no contact with her. Once in 1937, though, she meets a much younger version of her grandmother. Molly lives in her family's Hotel Calvert, but her parents are rarely around, and she is kept in a room by herself to make sure she stays healthy. The two girls form a strong bond and head into the street on several adventures. Molly even rescues a stray cat and stands up to her father. Could it be that having Annie in her life, even for a brief time, could make all the difference in the world in the person Molly becomes? Although the ending seemed a bit rushed to me--maybe because I really liked the characters and wanted to spend more time with them--I enjoyed thinking about how one positive or one negative experience can cause so much of a change in someone's identity or how he/she copes with life.
October 14, 2013
Laurel Snyder keeps getting better and better.
February 2, 2014
I absolutely loved reading Seven Stories Up and I am certain that I will reread it quite soon. It was such a special book that I actually just couldn’t stop reading. I loved the premise of the story where a mother and daughter are driving to a strange hotel to meet a stranger. It was so easy to be drawn into the enchanting world that Laurel creates in the hotel… I already felt like I was reading about a magical place even before the magic of Laurel Snyder’s time travel began. I loved the friendship that developed through the time travel and the adventures that occurred were entertaining, I held my breath through most of them because I was quite worried about how both characters would fare in the situations they kept finding themselves in… rollerskating in a store filled with delicate items? I wouldn’t recommend doing that, but what a fun challenge! This book made me really appreciate modern medicine and knowledge that has grown about diseases and how to care for people. It was a lovely story. I’m quite grateful that Laurel Snyder helped me attain an advanced readers copy! Highly recommended! But I also recommend going and grabbing the wonderful companion to Seven Stories Up called Bigger than a Bread Box and reading it numerous times before this book is released- on January 28, 2014!
Quotes that kept me reading and wondering and loving this book:
“It’s like she’s got a big black hole inside. Like she’s hungry and can’t get full, no matter how people try to feed her.”
“I only know that I belong somewhere else. Or somewhen.”
“It was much nicer in the warm, dry clothes, with the rubbed-clean feeling of a rain shower.”
“Magic is what people call it when the universe corrects itself and they happen to be watching.”
Laurel Snyder posted a beautiful reflection on her inspiration and life experience that led to writing Seven Stories Up. Quite enlightening and very touching:
http://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/20...
Quotes that kept me reading and wondering and loving this book:
“It’s like she’s got a big black hole inside. Like she’s hungry and can’t get full, no matter how people try to feed her.”
“I only know that I belong somewhere else. Or somewhen.”
“It was much nicer in the warm, dry clothes, with the rubbed-clean feeling of a rain shower.”
“Magic is what people call it when the universe corrects itself and they happen to be watching.”
Laurel Snyder posted a beautiful reflection on her inspiration and life experience that led to writing Seven Stories Up. Quite enlightening and very touching:
http://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/20...
July 7, 2014
This was a book that, once I had started it, I couldn't wait to find the time to read each day. It is a realistic, historical, fantasy, which is a lot for one book to do so well. I love the themes that are found in this story.
First is the idea of not judging someone until you know what they have been through. Annie meets her grandmother for the first time when she and her mother rush to the elderly woman's deathbed. Annie is disappointed when the person she meets is bitter and hateful and not at all the type of grandmother that her friends have. Through a magical moment, Annie goes back in time to 1937 and meets her grandmother as a young girl. She gets to know her and discovers the history in her grandmother's life that made her the person she was.
The second theme in the book that I love is the idea that an act of kindness can change history. People have been doing random acts of kindness for years, and it truly does change your outlook when a stranger pays for your coffee in Starbucks and moves on before you know to thank them. People always talk about paying it forward. That one simple, kind ripple in life's pond can reverberate far and change the world. Annie, and we as readers, are curious about whether or not Annie's journey to the past will change the future.
The author's notes at the end of the book should not be missed! Snyder writes about how she never liked studying history in school (I'm sure I know a lot of students who would agree), but this novel is strongly historical and meant she had to do a lot of research. She discovered that she loved it when she was looking at history as not about memorizing dates, but as the story of people. I think her notes could be very meaningful for many students.
The reading level of this book is 3.8; the interest level is grades 3-6.
First is the idea of not judging someone until you know what they have been through. Annie meets her grandmother for the first time when she and her mother rush to the elderly woman's deathbed. Annie is disappointed when the person she meets is bitter and hateful and not at all the type of grandmother that her friends have. Through a magical moment, Annie goes back in time to 1937 and meets her grandmother as a young girl. She gets to know her and discovers the history in her grandmother's life that made her the person she was.
The second theme in the book that I love is the idea that an act of kindness can change history. People have been doing random acts of kindness for years, and it truly does change your outlook when a stranger pays for your coffee in Starbucks and moves on before you know to thank them. People always talk about paying it forward. That one simple, kind ripple in life's pond can reverberate far and change the world. Annie, and we as readers, are curious about whether or not Annie's journey to the past will change the future.
The author's notes at the end of the book should not be missed! Snyder writes about how she never liked studying history in school (I'm sure I know a lot of students who would agree), but this novel is strongly historical and meant she had to do a lot of research. She discovered that she loved it when she was looking at history as not about memorizing dates, but as the story of people. I think her notes could be very meaningful for many students.
The reading level of this book is 3.8; the interest level is grades 3-6.
July 21, 2015
Category: Middle-Grade
Genre: Fiction
Sub-genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction
Interest Level: Grade 4 and up
Reading Level: Lexile 500
Brief description: Annie Jaffen and her mother, Ruby, visit Ruby’s mother who Annie has never seen. Her grandmother is gravely ill. The night of their arrival, Annie goes back in time to the depression and meets her grandmother as a little girl.
Identify at least 2 characteristics of this genre(s) and sub-genre and discuss how they appear in your book: One characteristic of fantasy is the use of a magical item. Seven Stories Up uses a magical object to transport Annie back in time to the 1930s, and creates a realistic setting of the 1930s with descriptions of what the town looked like, what types of transportation were used, and what the hotel would have been like during the depression. (Creating a realistic setting using accurate details for time and place is a characteristic of historical fiction.)
In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience?: The book reaches the audience (grade 4 and up) because the reader is anxious to know what happens next with Annie and Molly when they are out on their excursions. The story is told in the first person narrative with Annie telling the story, which also helps reach the audience because Annie is the age of the intended audience. The time period mentions depression era happenings with explanations at the end of the book. Two negative aspects of this are 1. As the reader is reading, he/she does not know what these things are and 2. Most young readers do not read the notes that come after the story.
Awards:
2015-2016 DCF book
Links to published reviews from professional sources if any:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0...
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
Genre: Fiction
Sub-genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction
Interest Level: Grade 4 and up
Reading Level: Lexile 500
Brief description: Annie Jaffen and her mother, Ruby, visit Ruby’s mother who Annie has never seen. Her grandmother is gravely ill. The night of their arrival, Annie goes back in time to the depression and meets her grandmother as a little girl.
Identify at least 2 characteristics of this genre(s) and sub-genre and discuss how they appear in your book: One characteristic of fantasy is the use of a magical item. Seven Stories Up uses a magical object to transport Annie back in time to the 1930s, and creates a realistic setting of the 1930s with descriptions of what the town looked like, what types of transportation were used, and what the hotel would have been like during the depression. (Creating a realistic setting using accurate details for time and place is a characteristic of historical fiction.)
In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience?: The book reaches the audience (grade 4 and up) because the reader is anxious to know what happens next with Annie and Molly when they are out on their excursions. The story is told in the first person narrative with Annie telling the story, which also helps reach the audience because Annie is the age of the intended audience. The time period mentions depression era happenings with explanations at the end of the book. Two negative aspects of this are 1. As the reader is reading, he/she does not know what these things are and 2. Most young readers do not read the notes that come after the story.
Awards:
2015-2016 DCF book
Links to published reviews from professional sources if any:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0...
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
July 26, 2016
Review copy from Netgalley
I fell in love with Seven Stories Up almost immediately. Laurel Snyder has a gift for bringing the reader right into her world. Like in Bigger than a Breadbox, there is an element of fantasy, but the story still seems very realistic because the characters are so vibrant. Annie can't connect with her cranky old grandmother, but when she goes back in time, she begins to see what led her grandmother to be so bitter. It is wondrous to watch their friendship develop. They both grow as they get to know each other.
Time travel books can be twitchy since changes in the past affect the future. I appreciated that Annie actually thinks about this as she is navigating life in the past. This brings a healthy dose of tension to the story that kept me reading.
Seven Stories Up manages to feel old-fashioned and wholesome without being too sweet. This is a book I will happily recommend. I look forward to re-reading it in January at release time and meeting Annie and Molly once again.
By the way, if you haven't read Bigger than a Breadbox - what are you waiting for? You do NOT need to read it first, but you are certainly missing out on an excellent book if you haven't read it.
Review posted at http://readingtl.blogspot.com/2013/12...
I fell in love with Seven Stories Up almost immediately. Laurel Snyder has a gift for bringing the reader right into her world. Like in Bigger than a Breadbox, there is an element of fantasy, but the story still seems very realistic because the characters are so vibrant. Annie can't connect with her cranky old grandmother, but when she goes back in time, she begins to see what led her grandmother to be so bitter. It is wondrous to watch their friendship develop. They both grow as they get to know each other.
Time travel books can be twitchy since changes in the past affect the future. I appreciated that Annie actually thinks about this as she is navigating life in the past. This brings a healthy dose of tension to the story that kept me reading.
Seven Stories Up manages to feel old-fashioned and wholesome without being too sweet. This is a book I will happily recommend. I look forward to re-reading it in January at release time and meeting Annie and Molly once again.
By the way, if you haven't read Bigger than a Breadbox - what are you waiting for? You do NOT need to read it first, but you are certainly missing out on an excellent book if you haven't read it.
Review posted at http://readingtl.blogspot.com/2013/12...
April 15, 2014
Annie lives with her mother since her dad left when Annie was a baby. Not only has she never met her grandmother, her mother has refused to talk about her whenever Annie has asked. When Annie’s grandmother is dying, though, Annie’s mother takes her to visit. The grandmother is awful, spiteful, and mean. Then the visit turns out very differently from what anyone would expect—Annie travels back through time to meet her grandmother as a child. The two girls have a wonderful few days together and, perhaps, history is changed.
Time travel is a tricky business and the idea of changing history is also tricky. I’m not sure the ending will be easy for a lot of young girls because history is indeed changed and the grandmother Annie and her mother now remember has always been wonderful. This twist is not explicitly explained, however, and some younger readers may be left confused.
The cover art needs to be changed to something representing older girls. Annie and Molly look like they’re about 7 in the picture but older girls, those who might understand the narrative, might avoid the book because it looks like it’s for younger children.
4th or 5th grade and up, girls.
Time travel is a tricky business and the idea of changing history is also tricky. I’m not sure the ending will be easy for a lot of young girls because history is indeed changed and the grandmother Annie and her mother now remember has always been wonderful. This twist is not explicitly explained, however, and some younger readers may be left confused.
The cover art needs to be changed to something representing older girls. Annie and Molly look like they’re about 7 in the picture but older girls, those who might understand the narrative, might avoid the book because it looks like it’s for younger children.
4th or 5th grade and up, girls.
March 20, 2014
I hugely regret that I'm too jaded now to enjoy time travel books the way I used to... to just let them soak in instead of saying to myself "so this is the thing that does it, this is the thing that changes history, this is why she had to come, this is where she's going to wish she goes home". But I know I would have loved this as a kid, and I'll definitely be buying it to give as a gift, so bumping it up a star.
November 18, 2015
I loved this book. This author is amazing at telling a story, adding in magic, and really making you believe. Someone gave me this book and I didn't realize who the author was right away, but as soon as I did, I dove into it! This book is filled with great historic facts and items and places and events, and I love that the author includes a brief timeline for kids to see how exciting and interesting life is when you realize the history moving alongside.
October 18, 2014
I loved this book. It's aimed at around ages 9-12, I'd say, but it's a very satisfying time travel tale, with an ending that's a bit unique. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good time travel book! It's suitable for kids---nothing you wouldn't want them to read.
April 27, 2015
Really liked this book, and then the last few pages hit me like a ton of really wonderful, emotional bricks and I loved it.
August 6, 2016
I love all Laurel's books, and this one is no exception. If you haven't read Bigger Than a Breadbox, pair them.
December 14, 2015
What would it feel like to go back in time and meet your grandmother??? Now you know!!!!!!!
February 9, 2016
Wonderful perspective in story telling.
November 5, 2015
i loved this book so much
September 8, 2016
Two-second recap: Seven Stories Up is a poignant MG story, with a lot of heart and soul. Snyder presents a unique tale about family, love and the relationships that define us, sprinkled with a healthy dose of magic, imagination and friendship.
***
Full review:
Whenever I read an MG novel these days, I'm genuinely blown away at the depth of the creativity and imagination in some of these books. They balance that fine line between the innocence of childhood and the first step toward growing up, something that author Laurel Snyder gets across beautifully in Seven Stories Up.
Annie Jaffin has spent most of her life living in Atlanta, alone with her mother. But late one night, Annie and her mom drive to visit her sick and dying grandmother in Baltimore. When they arrive, Annie's surprised at both the hotel that her grandmother calls home, and the fact that her grandmother just isn't a nice woman.
But after a magical storm, Annie ends up in 1937 with her grandmother's younger self - Molly. Annie quickly learns that Molly has been confined to her room for over a year and a half due to her health, and doesn't have the friends, love or attention that she genuinely wants.
Through Annie's coaxing, Molly gradually begins finding the confidence in both her health, and her willingness to venture beyond her room. The girls get into scrapes, adventures, find new friends and form a strong, loving bond.
Snyder's tale of grandmother and granddaughter meeting due to a quirk of fate, is a magical one for many reasons, and not just because it involves time travel. (Though that's pretty awesome too!)
Through Annie's unexpected trip to the past to visit Molly, Snyder covers a wide range of topics, including why learning to get along with others, taking the risk to explore new things, feeling compassion for others, and the importance of love, friendship and companionship.
Snyder also does a fantastic job of showing how the life lessons and adventures experienced by the two girls are helping them change in their own ways, and how they're also being impacted by the world around them. 1937 was a dramatic time for Baltimore and the rest of the country, and Snyder never fails to thoughtfully insert real-world events to get the girls to think beyond themselves
Though Seven Stories Up is a relatively short book at 240 pages, this is also a book that is so thorough and rich, it felt like a novel twice that length - and that's definitely a compliment. I was so immersed in Annie and Molly's adventures, and their journey to getting to know themselves and each other, I was sad to see the story end.
Of special note: Snyder handles the concept of isolation and depression, in a way that is incredibly sensitive to the topic, but also informative and very age-appropriate.
Educators and parents will likely appreciate Snyder's thoughtfully-presented message that people are shaped by their circumstances, and it's always possible to change what may have originally seemed inevitable. Love and attention can genuinely help shape someone's life down a different path entirely
***
Final verdict: I don't always go out of my way to seek middle grade titles, but Seven Stories Up has me absolutely reconsidering that decision.
Laurel Snyder has written a rich, poignant tale about relationships, family and love that will make readers think and reflect upon the relationships in their own lives. Younger readers will also undoubtedly fall in love with Annie and Molly, and their madcap adventures.
I recommend this book for fans of historical MG, but also for educators and parents who are looking for a tale to read with their students and children. This is a tale that readers will want to share with the special people in their lives, and will also want to pass this on to others.
***
Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of Seven Stories Up from Random House via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
***
Full review:
Whenever I read an MG novel these days, I'm genuinely blown away at the depth of the creativity and imagination in some of these books. They balance that fine line between the innocence of childhood and the first step toward growing up, something that author Laurel Snyder gets across beautifully in Seven Stories Up.
Annie Jaffin has spent most of her life living in Atlanta, alone with her mother. But late one night, Annie and her mom drive to visit her sick and dying grandmother in Baltimore. When they arrive, Annie's surprised at both the hotel that her grandmother calls home, and the fact that her grandmother just isn't a nice woman.
But after a magical storm, Annie ends up in 1937 with her grandmother's younger self - Molly. Annie quickly learns that Molly has been confined to her room for over a year and a half due to her health, and doesn't have the friends, love or attention that she genuinely wants.
Through Annie's coaxing, Molly gradually begins finding the confidence in both her health, and her willingness to venture beyond her room. The girls get into scrapes, adventures, find new friends and form a strong, loving bond.
Snyder's tale of grandmother and granddaughter meeting due to a quirk of fate, is a magical one for many reasons, and not just because it involves time travel. (Though that's pretty awesome too!)
Through Annie's unexpected trip to the past to visit Molly, Snyder covers a wide range of topics, including why learning to get along with others, taking the risk to explore new things, feeling compassion for others, and the importance of love, friendship and companionship.
Snyder also does a fantastic job of showing how the life lessons and adventures experienced by the two girls are helping them change in their own ways, and how they're also being impacted by the world around them. 1937 was a dramatic time for Baltimore and the rest of the country, and Snyder never fails to thoughtfully insert real-world events to get the girls to think beyond themselves
Though Seven Stories Up is a relatively short book at 240 pages, this is also a book that is so thorough and rich, it felt like a novel twice that length - and that's definitely a compliment. I was so immersed in Annie and Molly's adventures, and their journey to getting to know themselves and each other, I was sad to see the story end.
Of special note: Snyder handles the concept of isolation and depression, in a way that is incredibly sensitive to the topic, but also informative and very age-appropriate.
Educators and parents will likely appreciate Snyder's thoughtfully-presented message that people are shaped by their circumstances, and it's always possible to change what may have originally seemed inevitable. Love and attention can genuinely help shape someone's life down a different path entirely
***
Final verdict: I don't always go out of my way to seek middle grade titles, but Seven Stories Up has me absolutely reconsidering that decision.
Laurel Snyder has written a rich, poignant tale about relationships, family and love that will make readers think and reflect upon the relationships in their own lives. Younger readers will also undoubtedly fall in love with Annie and Molly, and their madcap adventures.
I recommend this book for fans of historical MG, but also for educators and parents who are looking for a tale to read with their students and children. This is a tale that readers will want to share with the special people in their lives, and will also want to pass this on to others.
***
Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of Seven Stories Up from Random House via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
May 21, 2014
3.5 stars. Annie has never met her grandmother, a woman her mom doesn't like talking about. When her grandmother is dying, Annie finally travels with her mom to meet her and discovers that her grandma is a bitter, unhappy woman. She goes to sleep that night and wakes up the next morning in 1937, in the same room as Molly - her grandmother, who's now Annie's age. Annie then has a chance to get to know her grandma as a friend and perhaps change the course of both their lives, remaking them into happier memories.
This is a companion novel to Bigger than a Breadbox, which I enjoyed and is the reason why I was interested in reading this, although both novels completely stand alone. I would not have picked this one up based on cover alone, as the cover artwork is truly awful!
I really liked the premise of this book and the whole idea of Annie getting to know her grandma as a friend her same age, instead of simply seeing her as an old woman with whom she has nothing in common. It was a really sweet story and a nice way to bridge the gap between the generations. The friendship that developed (almost instantaneously) between Annie and Molly was cute and obviously made a big impact on both lives.
I felt like the second half of this book was much stronger than the first. The "magical" aspect to this story (ie, the whole time travel plot) seemed almost glossed over and not fully explained, only a convenient way to start the plot, which was fine. Annie and Molly's adventures together, in the beginning, didn't feel quite as exciting as they could have. Perhaps younger readers would have found them more amusing, but it seemed to me like things just happened one after another, with no time for me to properly register what was happening or why I should care. Some of the scenes seemed almost better in concept than in actuality.
About halfway through the book, a little more development in both the plot and the characters seemed to take place, and I definitely liked it more from that point on. I enjoyed Annie's worries about how she might be forgetting where she came from and her observations about some of the difficulties in life in 1937, as she surveyed the world; her earlier adventures in 1937 seemed more action-focused than anything else, and while Annie noted some of the external differences between 1937 and 1987, it hadn't yet felt different. In the author's note at the end of the book, she mentions all the research done to write this, and I found those descriptions fascinating!
The ending seemed to wrap up almost too neatly, although it was a decent way to end the book. It wasn't an ending I loved, but it was satisfying and as good of a way to wrap up time travel as any. I felt like the turning point of the story didn't go nearly as deep as the one in Bigger Than a Breadbox, the internal problems Annie faced not nearly as difficult, but it was still cute overall. Although I didn't love this book, it was still a nice story and I think it'd be a fun one for younger readers to enjoy while learning a little about history.
This is a companion novel to Bigger than a Breadbox, which I enjoyed and is the reason why I was interested in reading this, although both novels completely stand alone. I would not have picked this one up based on cover alone, as the cover artwork is truly awful!
I really liked the premise of this book and the whole idea of Annie getting to know her grandma as a friend her same age, instead of simply seeing her as an old woman with whom she has nothing in common. It was a really sweet story and a nice way to bridge the gap between the generations. The friendship that developed (almost instantaneously) between Annie and Molly was cute and obviously made a big impact on both lives.
I felt like the second half of this book was much stronger than the first. The "magical" aspect to this story (ie, the whole time travel plot) seemed almost glossed over and not fully explained, only a convenient way to start the plot, which was fine. Annie and Molly's adventures together, in the beginning, didn't feel quite as exciting as they could have. Perhaps younger readers would have found them more amusing, but it seemed to me like things just happened one after another, with no time for me to properly register what was happening or why I should care. Some of the scenes seemed almost better in concept than in actuality.
About halfway through the book, a little more development in both the plot and the characters seemed to take place, and I definitely liked it more from that point on. I enjoyed Annie's worries about how she might be forgetting where she came from and her observations about some of the difficulties in life in 1937, as she surveyed the world; her earlier adventures in 1937 seemed more action-focused than anything else, and while Annie noted some of the external differences between 1937 and 1987, it hadn't yet felt different. In the author's note at the end of the book, she mentions all the research done to write this, and I found those descriptions fascinating!
The ending seemed to wrap up almost too neatly, although it was a decent way to end the book. It wasn't an ending I loved, but it was satisfying and as good of a way to wrap up time travel as any. I felt like the turning point of the story didn't go nearly as deep as the one in Bigger Than a Breadbox, the internal problems Annie faced not nearly as difficult, but it was still cute overall. Although I didn't love this book, it was still a nice story and I think it'd be a fun one for younger readers to enjoy while learning a little about history.
August 29, 2014
Laurel Snyder is now officially one of my favorite authors. I can't believe I've never read her book before!
I fell in love with this book instantly and there are so many reasons why I love this book. First, I love history; in fact, I am history-crazy, especially ancient history. Secondly, I've always dreamt about traveling back in time not only to see how people lived in the old days, but also undo or change things or decisions I made so I can alter the future with less regret. Lastly, I, too, have a very strict mother growing up and that love-hate relationship between Annie's mother and grandmother is something I am quite familiar with. I also came from a big family with lots of past but my parents rarely talked about them.
Aside from all the personal reasons, the story was well woven and the characters were well drawn. It's a book about family, friendship, adventure, fantasy, history, and filled lots of emotions. I loved how the author seamlessly and brilliantly integrated just enough amount of historical facts of 1937 America to make the story more realistic without overwhelming the targeted audience. Her vivid description of the street fair scenes in 1937 created a very clear visual image in my mind, I even feel I can smell the cinnamon in the air! I also liked that the author ended the book with highlights of historical events took place in the story to encourage further research.
So here's the summary:
Annie finally got to meet her grandmother for the first time before her deathbed. However, Annie knew very little about her mother's family; she did not even know her grandmother owns a hotel! Whenever she tried asking about her grandparents, her mother would change the subject quickly, so quick that Annie can feel her mother's sorrow and frustration.
Upon meeting her grandmother, she quickly learned that her grandmother was not an affable person; she was bitter and cynical. As she puzzled about the tension between her mother and grandmother, something magical happened. Annie traveled back to 1937 and made friend with a young girl named Molly, who turned out to be her lonely and unhappy grandmother. She was locked up in her room due to asthma, which was an untreatable disease in 1937. Together, the two girls embarked a fun adventure in 1937's Baltimore. They sneaked around and out of the hotel, running around and doing things that Molly could only dream about doing before Annie existed. Annie's friendship with her grandmother changed her grandmother's perspective of life, gave her the courage to open herself up to her father (Annie's great-grandfather), and also altered the relationship between her mother and grandmother in the present time.
The book is intended for 3rd graders and up and I will definitely be recommending this book to kids!
I fell in love with this book instantly and there are so many reasons why I love this book. First, I love history; in fact, I am history-crazy, especially ancient history. Secondly, I've always dreamt about traveling back in time not only to see how people lived in the old days, but also undo or change things or decisions I made so I can alter the future with less regret. Lastly, I, too, have a very strict mother growing up and that love-hate relationship between Annie's mother and grandmother is something I am quite familiar with. I also came from a big family with lots of past but my parents rarely talked about them.
Aside from all the personal reasons, the story was well woven and the characters were well drawn. It's a book about family, friendship, adventure, fantasy, history, and filled lots of emotions. I loved how the author seamlessly and brilliantly integrated just enough amount of historical facts of 1937 America to make the story more realistic without overwhelming the targeted audience. Her vivid description of the street fair scenes in 1937 created a very clear visual image in my mind, I even feel I can smell the cinnamon in the air! I also liked that the author ended the book with highlights of historical events took place in the story to encourage further research.
So here's the summary:
Annie finally got to meet her grandmother for the first time before her deathbed. However, Annie knew very little about her mother's family; she did not even know her grandmother owns a hotel! Whenever she tried asking about her grandparents, her mother would change the subject quickly, so quick that Annie can feel her mother's sorrow and frustration.
Upon meeting her grandmother, she quickly learned that her grandmother was not an affable person; she was bitter and cynical. As she puzzled about the tension between her mother and grandmother, something magical happened. Annie traveled back to 1937 and made friend with a young girl named Molly, who turned out to be her lonely and unhappy grandmother. She was locked up in her room due to asthma, which was an untreatable disease in 1937. Together, the two girls embarked a fun adventure in 1937's Baltimore. They sneaked around and out of the hotel, running around and doing things that Molly could only dream about doing before Annie existed. Annie's friendship with her grandmother changed her grandmother's perspective of life, gave her the courage to open herself up to her father (Annie's great-grandfather), and also altered the relationship between her mother and grandmother in the present time.
The book is intended for 3rd graders and up and I will definitely be recommending this book to kids!
July 6, 2015
Category/Genre: Middle Grades/Fantasy
Estimate age level of interest: 3rd-6th grades
Estimated reading level: 4th grade
Brief description: Annie goes to visit her dying grandmother and is upset that her mother never allowed them to get to know each other because of her cruel nature. One night while visiting Annie slips on an old eye mask for sleeping and slips back in time to 1937 where she befriends her grandmother who is at the same age as her. Together they laugh, cry, and Annie discovers what made her grandmother into the woman she became. Despite everything, Annie is able to develop a relationship with her grandmother and love her as she is forced to say goodbye.
Identify two characteristics and explain how they are used in this book:
-Time-shift fantasy: Based on characters who appear to shift easily from their particular moment in the present to a long-lost point in someone else’s past. Usually these time leaps are linked to a tangible object that is common to both periods.
This characteristic of fantasy is classically used in this novel. Annie goes back in time to 1937 to when her grandmother was her age after she puts on an old sleeping mask. She also has to use this sleeping mask as a portal to go back to the present time period. During her time in this decade she learns all about the hardships her grandmother faced as a child and how those experiences shaped her into the person she became.
-Fantasy helps children understand themselves and the struggles they will face as a human being.
This book does a great job of teaching children about the concept of death without it being a sad book. Instead, the author introduces in the first paragraph that the main character’s grandmother is dying, so it doesn’t come as a surprise to the reader. From this, the main character travels back in time and is able to understand not only her place in society but how her life and other lives are impacted by experiences.
In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience? This book will definitely engage an upper elementary audience. While the plot is pretty flat, the characters experience a variety of comical situations and the idea of time travel will keep these younger readers hooked. I think this book would work very well for a student who has a sick or recently passed loved one. By reading and analyzing the character’s situation it will allow them to cope with and understand theirs.
Awards: DCF Master List 2015-2016
Reviews:
Horn Book, Fall 2014
School Library Journal, Jan. 1st, 2014
Library Media Connection, Aug/Sept. 2014
Estimate age level of interest: 3rd-6th grades
Estimated reading level: 4th grade
Brief description: Annie goes to visit her dying grandmother and is upset that her mother never allowed them to get to know each other because of her cruel nature. One night while visiting Annie slips on an old eye mask for sleeping and slips back in time to 1937 where she befriends her grandmother who is at the same age as her. Together they laugh, cry, and Annie discovers what made her grandmother into the woman she became. Despite everything, Annie is able to develop a relationship with her grandmother and love her as she is forced to say goodbye.
Identify two characteristics and explain how they are used in this book:
-Time-shift fantasy: Based on characters who appear to shift easily from their particular moment in the present to a long-lost point in someone else’s past. Usually these time leaps are linked to a tangible object that is common to both periods.
This characteristic of fantasy is classically used in this novel. Annie goes back in time to 1937 to when her grandmother was her age after she puts on an old sleeping mask. She also has to use this sleeping mask as a portal to go back to the present time period. During her time in this decade she learns all about the hardships her grandmother faced as a child and how those experiences shaped her into the person she became.
-Fantasy helps children understand themselves and the struggles they will face as a human being.
This book does a great job of teaching children about the concept of death without it being a sad book. Instead, the author introduces in the first paragraph that the main character’s grandmother is dying, so it doesn’t come as a surprise to the reader. From this, the main character travels back in time and is able to understand not only her place in society but how her life and other lives are impacted by experiences.
In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience? This book will definitely engage an upper elementary audience. While the plot is pretty flat, the characters experience a variety of comical situations and the idea of time travel will keep these younger readers hooked. I think this book would work very well for a student who has a sick or recently passed loved one. By reading and analyzing the character’s situation it will allow them to cope with and understand theirs.
Awards: DCF Master List 2015-2016
Reviews:
Horn Book, Fall 2014
School Library Journal, Jan. 1st, 2014
Library Media Connection, Aug/Sept. 2014
January 10, 2014
Laurel Snyder has a gift for writing about the wonderful, and messy, side of family. As a parent myself, I especially enjoy books where kids get along with their parents, but also understand that they are indeed flawed people who make mistakes. The Author sheds a ton of wonderful light on this subject wrapped up in a very interesting story of a time-traveling daughter (Annie) who happens to meet her estranged Grandmother (Mary/Molly). Annie had never met, or heard much about her Grandmother until her mom brought her to an old hotel to say their final “goodbyes”. Once she does, Annie understands why her Mom doesn’t talk about her Grandmother very often at all. She’s terrible! Mean, and Angry. Now for the magic part- emotional, wonderful, heart-felt magic, not the actual time travel stuff (which kids will find and I am sure enjoy) Grandma Mary has some pretty good reasons for being so awful. Her Childhood, as Annie comes to see, is spent utterly isolated by her family due to sickness. Annie and Molly strike up an honest and fun friendship and some healing begins to take place. It feels a little like the Secret Garden, and that book is referenced in this one. At one point, I laughed as Annie tells Molly that she is exactly like Mary “and not the good Mary” from the Secret Garden. It’s a great read, following the two girls sneaking around the giant hotel and adventuring together and keeps you turning pages quickly to see if they get caught and what will happen next.
The author is clever, Annie travels from 1987 to 1937. This means that the world Annie misses is one the author is familiar with. She references things like “Ice Capades” and “Smurfs”, and for me, that was fun… but I don’t know if younger readers will “get it.” It allows for the author to sound authentic as a pre-teen and I am not so sure kids are nostalgic about their generation until it passes anyway! One of the biggest gifts Laurel Snyder has is, when she writes as a younger child, I believe it. Really, my only negative feedback on the book is the cover. I think it will end up excluding some boy readers (which I don’t think is necessary as there is plenty of action and fun) and it doesn't seem to match the feel of the book, in my opinion. It should have had two girls crammed into a dumbwaiter or sliding down a laundry chute instead! I was lucky to receive an electronic advanced copy of this book- I love it so much though, that I will be buying the hardback version for my special “favorites” shelf!
The author is clever, Annie travels from 1987 to 1937. This means that the world Annie misses is one the author is familiar with. She references things like “Ice Capades” and “Smurfs”, and for me, that was fun… but I don’t know if younger readers will “get it.” It allows for the author to sound authentic as a pre-teen and I am not so sure kids are nostalgic about their generation until it passes anyway! One of the biggest gifts Laurel Snyder has is, when she writes as a younger child, I believe it. Really, my only negative feedback on the book is the cover. I think it will end up excluding some boy readers (which I don’t think is necessary as there is plenty of action and fun) and it doesn't seem to match the feel of the book, in my opinion. It should have had two girls crammed into a dumbwaiter or sliding down a laundry chute instead! I was lucky to receive an electronic advanced copy of this book- I love it so much though, that I will be buying the hardback version for my special “favorites” shelf!
July 5, 2017
“This wasn’t a vacation in the frozen land of long ago, a distant memory. These things were happening for real. What did that mean? Could they really change the future? Could they ruin it?”
Annie and her mother go to visit her estranged grandmother. All her mother will say is that it's complicated, but she never tells Annie what the rift between them is about. But when they enter the old hotel, run by her grandmother, Annie overhears her mother and grandmother fighting. With the promise of telling her everything, her mother sends Annie to bed. When she awakes, she is still in the room but there is another girl there, too. Her name is Mary Moran, but people call her Molly. Molly is a lonely girl, locked in her "Lonely Room" because her parents are afraid her health problems will be worse if she goes out or has people come in. Her mother and sisters are away and her father never really stops to see her. Slowly, Annie realizes that she has been transported to 1937 and this lonely girl is actually her grandmother. They form a friendship quickly, as Annie encourages Molly to venture outside. They have all kinds of adventures, but Annie starts to worry that she might not get back home. When they go to see a fortune teller, he immediately sees the truth in her: “You are between futures. I think you already know that, don’t you?” When Annie asks about getting home, he tells her, “You have to believe. Until then, anything can happen.”
I love how the characters change throughout the novel and that the girls seem to bring out the best in one another. They each have things to learn about themselves. They have things to teach each other. “The more you care about something, the more you need it … the more likely you are to make it real.” The strong relationship between Annie and her mother is eloquently described: “She makes terrible jokes and always runs late. But she’s … there. You know? She heats up soup when I’m sick. She reads to me, even though I can read to myself. She yells and I yell back and that’s okay. She isn’t perfect, but she’s mine. Does that make sense?” I also like the theme of the importance of understanding the world around you, seeing past yourself to what others are going through. And, of course, the ability to change the past to improve the future is always a tantalizing idea.
Annie and her mother go to visit her estranged grandmother. All her mother will say is that it's complicated, but she never tells Annie what the rift between them is about. But when they enter the old hotel, run by her grandmother, Annie overhears her mother and grandmother fighting. With the promise of telling her everything, her mother sends Annie to bed. When she awakes, she is still in the room but there is another girl there, too. Her name is Mary Moran, but people call her Molly. Molly is a lonely girl, locked in her "Lonely Room" because her parents are afraid her health problems will be worse if she goes out or has people come in. Her mother and sisters are away and her father never really stops to see her. Slowly, Annie realizes that she has been transported to 1937 and this lonely girl is actually her grandmother. They form a friendship quickly, as Annie encourages Molly to venture outside. They have all kinds of adventures, but Annie starts to worry that she might not get back home. When they go to see a fortune teller, he immediately sees the truth in her: “You are between futures. I think you already know that, don’t you?” When Annie asks about getting home, he tells her, “You have to believe. Until then, anything can happen.”
I love how the characters change throughout the novel and that the girls seem to bring out the best in one another. They each have things to learn about themselves. They have things to teach each other. “The more you care about something, the more you need it … the more likely you are to make it real.” The strong relationship between Annie and her mother is eloquently described: “She makes terrible jokes and always runs late. But she’s … there. You know? She heats up soup when I’m sick. She reads to me, even though I can read to myself. She yells and I yell back and that’s okay. She isn’t perfect, but she’s mine. Does that make sense?” I also like the theme of the importance of understanding the world around you, seeing past yourself to what others are going through. And, of course, the ability to change the past to improve the future is always a tantalizing idea.
November 26, 2014
I have always found something intriguing about stories that involve time travel. "Seven Stories Up" is no exception. It is set in the year 1987 (at least to start with). :-) A young girl named Annie lives in Atlanta, Georgia, but when the story opens, she is traveling with her mom to Baltimore to see her grandmother for the very first time. Her grandmother's days are numbered, so Annie's mother decides it is time to make the voyage to see her. This grandmother lives in an old hotel that no longer operates with guests. Cobwebs and dust cover what was once the grand lobby. Annie is both nervous and excited to meet her grandmother, as she does not have a relationship with anyone in her family outside of her own mother. However, the experience she has does not go well. Her grandmother is weak in bed, but she is still an overbearing and bitter sort of person. Annie is devastated. Oddly, that night, when Annie goes to bed, she is miraculously transported back in time to the year 1937. She awakes in the same room inside of the hotel where she fell asleep, though it looks different. Then, she meets a girl named Molly whom the room belongs to. It is not long before she realizes that Molly is her grandmother when she was a little girl. Molly is friendly and lively as a child, but she suffers from asthma and her wealthy family that owns the hotel keeps her quarantined by herself in a room. Annie brings brightness to Molly's dismal existence, and literally alters history as a result. To see their relationship blossom and to learn about their adventures in and around the hotel, you will have to read the book. Besides being an enjoyable and pleasant read, I love how the author, Laurel Snyder, weaved in historical details. She explains more about what particular events she weaved into the tale in the very back of the book, and explains that although the book is a work of fiction, it took her three years to write because of her desire to be accurate in her information regarding the time period. I look forward to reading the continuation titled: "Bigger Than a Bread Box," which tells the tale of Annie's daughter.
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