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Something Upstairs: a tale of ghosts
The mystery deepends
The room was shabby and dirty, heavy with heat. None of the things which Kenny called his own remained. Even the painted walls and skylight were gone.
Baffled, he wondered if other things -- even outside -- had changed. Kenny went to one of the windows and looked down. On a stoop across the dark street a man was standing, gazing straight at Kenny's window. He was wearing what appeared to be a long black cape which reached his knees, and a hat, triangular in shape. Its brim obscured his face.
As if suddenly realizing he was being observed, the man moved quickly into the shadows. Keeping his face averted, he fled up the street.
120 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1988
85 people are currently reading
1306 people want to read
About the author
Avi
346 books1,716 followersAvi is a pen name for Edward Irving Wortis, but he says, "The fact is, Avi is the only name I use." Born in 1937, Avi has created many fictional favorites such as
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle,
Nothing but the Truth,
and the Crispin series. His work is popular among readers young and old.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 316 reviews
May 26, 2020
Avi has written more than 60 middle-grades and YA fiction novels, but I have never known his work until this read.
My 12-year-old and I selected Something Upstairs to represent the state of Rhode Island for our Kids Read Across America project, and First Daughter delighted in its creepy cover, knowing, instinctively, that it would send her 9-year-old sister packing. It did. Second Daughter will have nothing to do with supernatural stories.
And, supernatural it is. This story gave the narrator of this read aloud (me) the creeps a couple of times.
There's a ghost here, a former slave named Caleb, who haunts the house that Kenny Huldorf and his modern, Californian family have just purchased. Kenny thought the move from Los Angeles to Providence was going to be boring, but, no, it turns out that his new house offers a ghost, and ghosts aren't boring.
Not only is this ghost not boring, he's actually pissed. A pissed off ghost! I'm not sure I've ever encountered one of those before, and it added an incredible depth to the story. Caleb has been trying, through the decades, to recruit one white homeowner after the next to help his avenge his death and he's. . . well, given up on all of them. He's a jaded and bitter ghost, in addition to being a pissed one, and I couldn't help but tip my hat to Avi at this clever twist. I could not predict what Caleb was going to do next, and it was deeply satisfying to me, even as an adult reader.
My 12-year-old and I selected Something Upstairs to represent the state of Rhode Island for our Kids Read Across America project, and First Daughter delighted in its creepy cover, knowing, instinctively, that it would send her 9-year-old sister packing. It did. Second Daughter will have nothing to do with supernatural stories.
And, supernatural it is. This story gave the narrator of this read aloud (me) the creeps a couple of times.
There's a ghost here, a former slave named Caleb, who haunts the house that Kenny Huldorf and his modern, Californian family have just purchased. Kenny thought the move from Los Angeles to Providence was going to be boring, but, no, it turns out that his new house offers a ghost, and ghosts aren't boring.
Not only is this ghost not boring, he's actually pissed. A pissed off ghost! I'm not sure I've ever encountered one of those before, and it added an incredible depth to the story. Caleb has been trying, through the decades, to recruit one white homeowner after the next to help his avenge his death and he's. . . well, given up on all of them. He's a jaded and bitter ghost, in addition to being a pissed one, and I couldn't help but tip my hat to Avi at this clever twist. I could not predict what Caleb was going to do next, and it was deeply satisfying to me, even as an adult reader.
May 5, 2013
Okay, so I remember reading this book back in fourth or fifth grade. And I'm now twenty-eight years old teaching in a middle school. This book really stayed with me, and I remember reading it, because I just loved it. However, I'm really embarassed to say this, but up until I finished the book and then looked up Avi's page online... I thought this really did happen.
You see, the way Avi writes the Author's Explanation in the beginning had me hooked as a kid and even today! I thought for SURE that this happened. But after reading his page and seeing he doesn't believe in events like this... well, it was kind of a let down. And yet, at the same time, it attests to how well written a book this is (or how crazy I was as a kid and today).
Either way, I loved this book. It was such a large part of my childhood and I'm so glad I finally got my hands on another copy so that I can give it to my students to read. I had forgotten the title for years but knew the story, and when I finally saw it in the Scholastic flier, I pretty much freaked out and shouted "that's it!"
Great read about doing the right thing, righting a wrong, and being a true friend.
You see, the way Avi writes the Author's Explanation in the beginning had me hooked as a kid and even today! I thought for SURE that this happened. But after reading his page and seeing he doesn't believe in events like this... well, it was kind of a let down. And yet, at the same time, it attests to how well written a book this is (or how crazy I was as a kid and today).
Either way, I loved this book. It was such a large part of my childhood and I'm so glad I finally got my hands on another copy so that I can give it to my students to read. I had forgotten the title for years but knew the story, and when I finally saw it in the Scholastic flier, I pretty much freaked out and shouted "that's it!"
Great read about doing the right thing, righting a wrong, and being a true friend.
June 7, 2010
I would give this book more stars if I could! I loved this book as a kid and read it several times, thinking it would be less scary since I knew what was going to happen. Not so.
It's a completely compelling book, and one I would recommend to any youth. It's got some fun ideas about time travel (who doesn't want to time travel?) as well as some fun twists to the story. AWESOME.
Love it, love it.
*update*
Re-read Nov. 2009. Still just as compelling as the first time (my husband had to call me into bed at 12:15 a.m.), though less scary since I'm not a kid, and, you know, cause I've read it 4 times now. (And as a side note, this is the ONLY book I've read 4 times. As a general rule, I don't re-read books.)
Beautifully written. Genius technique to get you into the story and ready to believe it all as truth. ... Why don't I own this book already?
*update*
I now own this book.
*update*
Read out loud to my 8-year-old daughter. She loved it but said it was "freaky," which it is. Finished June 6, 2010.
It's a completely compelling book, and one I would recommend to any youth. It's got some fun ideas about time travel (who doesn't want to time travel?) as well as some fun twists to the story. AWESOME.
Love it, love it.
*update*
Re-read Nov. 2009. Still just as compelling as the first time (my husband had to call me into bed at 12:15 a.m.), though less scary since I'm not a kid, and, you know, cause I've read it 4 times now. (And as a side note, this is the ONLY book I've read 4 times. As a general rule, I don't re-read books.)
Beautifully written. Genius technique to get you into the story and ready to believe it all as truth. ... Why don't I own this book already?
*update*
I now own this book.
*update*
Read out loud to my 8-year-old daughter. She loved it but said it was "freaky," which it is. Finished June 6, 2010.
April 11, 2021
Yup. Ghosts, time travel, history, and a damn fine story. That Avi, he's something else.
October 9, 2011
The book Something Upstairs is about this boy named Kenny whose family moves into an old 1800's house that squeaks and creaks. Tedious, Kenny turns the attic into his very own bedroom with a wide open space and spacious windows. Kenny explores his new bedroom but then discovers a dried up stain on the wooden floor, but Kenny just ignored it. Then late at night, Kenny is awoken by a strange mist coming out of the stain. A shadow of a young African-american boy who claims he was shot in the early 1800's. He wants Kenny to find out who was his killer so he can rest in peace.
The book was ok, for my taste. It was a scary book, but later on, it had gotten boring. I wasn't too thrilled with the ending because I already knew what was going to happen. There were hints in the book that had gotten by attention when I was at towards the end of the book. However, it was a good book to read. Overall, if I would've rate this book on a scale between 1-10, I would give it a 4 because of its plot and ending.
The book was ok, for my taste. It was a scary book, but later on, it had gotten boring. I wasn't too thrilled with the ending because I already knew what was going to happen. There were hints in the book that had gotten by attention when I was at towards the end of the book. However, it was a good book to read. Overall, if I would've rate this book on a scale between 1-10, I would give it a 4 because of its plot and ending.
October 6, 2010
I wish, so wish, that someone had been a bit more careful with the cover of this book. It looks juvenile. In fact, its cover prompted me to give the book to my 10-year-old rather than put it on my classroom bookshelf. However, it's definitely a middle school book. The plot is rich and thought-provoking; the ethical decisions with which the protagonist struggles are deeper than what a 10-year-old usually experiences. This historical understanding that needs to be brought by the reader requires more than a 4th grade education. And actually, this book is pretty awesome.
I wish I could tear off the cover, but as it is, few of my kids will pick this up. It's a shame.
I wish I could tear off the cover, but as it is, few of my kids will pick this up. It's a shame.
May 10, 2022
This is my first Avi book - I've loved the cover for a long time and it's stared at me accusingly from my vintage horror shelves for a few years now. It's a swift read at ~100 pages and the narration is easy to follow. I'd compare this to The Girl in the Window by Wilma Yeo - you think you're getting a spooky story but it quickly becomes a history lesson about prejudice and oppression. It's surprisingly dark and I enjoyed it. If it had been twice as long I might have balked.
July 21, 2025
A good family friendly ghost story.
December 6, 2024
The new kid in town is asked by the ghost in his attic to solve his murder. This quick little book delves back to early America and our dark past with slavery.
Alas, I thought I was reading a book published in the 1990s for a challenge I’m trying to complete, turns out GoodReads listopia are not to be trusted. I was written in the 1980s. I did get a book set in Rhode Island to check off a box in different challenge.
Alas, I thought I was reading a book published in the 1990s for a challenge I’m trying to complete, turns out GoodReads listopia are not to be trusted. I was written in the 1980s. I did get a book set in Rhode Island to check off a box in different challenge.
November 1, 2025
very exciting and unique! 3.5 stars but I'll round up
March 9, 2022
Will my students be able to finish this. Use of the h word twice in chapter 7!
August 6, 2012
Please don't judge this lovely little book by its unfortunate cover.
I've already come to respect Avi as a quality writer of original and engaging YA fiction, but I think this one takes the 'surprisingly better than expected' prize. Avi manages, in just over a hundred pages, to weave a complex, compelling story that combines the campfire ghost story with elements of time-travel yarn, murder mystery, and historical fiction, with a thoughtful look at the consequences of racism and a gripping moral dilemma. It is a testament to Avi's skill as a storyteller that, with all of these components, the story does not feel over-ambitious or crowded; instead, the pacing is spot-on, and somehow feels perfectly natural to walk from a haunted house in the twenty-first century into the Revolutionary-War-era memories of a dead slave. The "this is a true story" prologue may have been done before, but Avi does it well, and it sets the tone for the rest of the book. Without spoiling the twist ending, I'll just say that the climax was an absolutely delightful, Doctor-Who-worthy "timey-wimey", mind-bending paradox which I absolutely adored.
I've already come to respect Avi as a quality writer of original and engaging YA fiction, but I think this one takes the 'surprisingly better than expected' prize. Avi manages, in just over a hundred pages, to weave a complex, compelling story that combines the campfire ghost story with elements of time-travel yarn, murder mystery, and historical fiction, with a thoughtful look at the consequences of racism and a gripping moral dilemma. It is a testament to Avi's skill as a storyteller that, with all of these components, the story does not feel over-ambitious or crowded; instead, the pacing is spot-on, and somehow feels perfectly natural to walk from a haunted house in the twenty-first century into the Revolutionary-War-era memories of a dead slave. The "this is a true story" prologue may have been done before, but Avi does it well, and it sets the tone for the rest of the book. Without spoiling the twist ending, I'll just say that the climax was an absolutely delightful, Doctor-Who-worthy "timey-wimey", mind-bending paradox which I absolutely adored.
December 7, 2015
Book: Something Upstairs Author: Avi
Review: The book i recently read was Something Upstairs by Avi this book is about a boy named Kenny Huldorf, who is a boy from Los Angeles, California and his parents just told kenny they have recently took jobs in Providence, Rhode Island and they have already bought a house there!
The main setting of this book was mostly in Providence, Rhode Island the main conflict is that the house that kenny is living in is a very old house the first family to live in the house lived in it in 1636. There for this house a point in time this was a home to a person who once owned a had slaves in this home and one spirit of a slave is still there in the house. yes i would recommend this book to pretty much anyone who likes reading. i would recommend this book to anyone because this is just a very interesting book that caught my attention from the first page and was interested the whole way through!
Review: The book i recently read was Something Upstairs by Avi this book is about a boy named Kenny Huldorf, who is a boy from Los Angeles, California and his parents just told kenny they have recently took jobs in Providence, Rhode Island and they have already bought a house there!
The main setting of this book was mostly in Providence, Rhode Island the main conflict is that the house that kenny is living in is a very old house the first family to live in the house lived in it in 1636. There for this house a point in time this was a home to a person who once owned a had slaves in this home and one spirit of a slave is still there in the house. yes i would recommend this book to pretty much anyone who likes reading. i would recommend this book to anyone because this is just a very interesting book that caught my attention from the first page and was interested the whole way through!
July 16, 2012
Read with my class- suitable for 4-8 depending upon the reading level. This book really hooks kids!
September 29, 2012
I read this book back in 1993, and it at the time was one of the spookiest books I had ever read.
October 25, 2023
When I was in elementary school, my teacher read this book to me and the rest of my class. We also had to do assignments about it. One of the assignments was to write our own ending for the story. For some reason, mine involved ninjas. Don't ask why. I don't remember.
(“What Kenny saw - or thought he saw - were two hands, then two arms, reaching up from the stain, pushing away a box of his mother’s old books that was sitting on it. These hands and arms seemed to be not flesh and blood but sculptured, glowing smoke. It was as if, from under that box, a body was struggling to be free."
Kenny Huldorf is not happy when he learns that he and his family will be moving all the way across the country to Rhode Island, a state smaller than Los Angeles, the city he’s known his whole life. His new home, The Stillwell House, was built in 1789 and, like everything in Providence, it seems old-fashioned and somber. But things start to look a little brighter when Kenny’s mom shows him his new bedroom: a long, open attic with plenty of room and privacy. While he puts his things away, Kenny discovers a small room at the far end of the attic with a mysterious dark stain covering the center of the floor. All day long Kenny can’t shake the feeling that someone is in the attic with him. Late that night, awakened by sounds coming from where the small room is, Kenny opens the door to a horrifying tale from the past.) ~ Blurb from Amazon Listing of Audiobook Version
I liked the friendship between Kenny and Caleb, the ghost. So at first, Caleb is afraid of Kenny, then pissed at him. But throughout the novel, Caleb warms up to Kenny a little bit, though he remains guarded. What's interesting is that Kenny's investigation into the history of his new home actually helps him in forging this friendship, allowing for the two plots to intertwine seamlessly and beautifully.
Willinghast was a pretty interesting character. He's calm, he's intelligent, but he's also willing to help Kenny to some extent. He has a real presence. Yeah, the twist of him being was kinda predictable, but at the same time, I was still pretty invested in this character.
Despite this being a short read, it was nicely paced. I think part of this stems from how it distributes the amount of information given to the reader quite evenly over the course of the novel.
I liked the ending. So basically, Damn. Not only was it a tense ending, but it did certainly explain a lot in regards to and it did have me guessing a little bit as to whether or not
There was one thing that I didn't quite understand. So apparently the ghosts in this universe (including Caleb) have the ability to travel through time and Caleb has basically gone through scenarios like the one he and Kenny are currently in with at least several other people. In that case, why did he even need Kenny's help? He could've solved his murder all by himself. Kind of makes a good chunk of the plot fall apart. Honestly, I think taking the ghost's ability to travel through time would've really helped things make a lot more sense here.
Overall, Something Upstairs was, despite its flaws, a neat little story that definitely isn't afraid to go the extra mile.
Overall Grade: B+
(“What Kenny saw - or thought he saw - were two hands, then two arms, reaching up from the stain, pushing away a box of his mother’s old books that was sitting on it. These hands and arms seemed to be not flesh and blood but sculptured, glowing smoke. It was as if, from under that box, a body was struggling to be free."
Kenny Huldorf is not happy when he learns that he and his family will be moving all the way across the country to Rhode Island, a state smaller than Los Angeles, the city he’s known his whole life. His new home, The Stillwell House, was built in 1789 and, like everything in Providence, it seems old-fashioned and somber. But things start to look a little brighter when Kenny’s mom shows him his new bedroom: a long, open attic with plenty of room and privacy. While he puts his things away, Kenny discovers a small room at the far end of the attic with a mysterious dark stain covering the center of the floor. All day long Kenny can’t shake the feeling that someone is in the attic with him. Late that night, awakened by sounds coming from where the small room is, Kenny opens the door to a horrifying tale from the past.) ~ Blurb from Amazon Listing of Audiobook Version
I liked the friendship between Kenny and Caleb, the ghost. So at first, Caleb is afraid of Kenny, then pissed at him. But throughout the novel, Caleb warms up to Kenny a little bit, though he remains guarded. What's interesting is that Kenny's investigation into the history of his new home actually helps him in forging this friendship, allowing for the two plots to intertwine seamlessly and beautifully.
Willinghast was a pretty interesting character. He's calm, he's intelligent, but he's also willing to help Kenny to some extent. He has a real presence. Yeah, the twist of him being was kinda predictable, but at the same time, I was still pretty invested in this character.
Despite this being a short read, it was nicely paced. I think part of this stems from how it distributes the amount of information given to the reader quite evenly over the course of the novel.
I liked the ending. So basically, Damn. Not only was it a tense ending, but it did certainly explain a lot in regards to and it did have me guessing a little bit as to whether or not
There was one thing that I didn't quite understand. So apparently the ghosts in this universe (including Caleb) have the ability to travel through time and Caleb has basically gone through scenarios like the one he and Kenny are currently in with at least several other people. In that case, why did he even need Kenny's help? He could've solved his murder all by himself. Kind of makes a good chunk of the plot fall apart. Honestly, I think taking the ghost's ability to travel through time would've really helped things make a lot more sense here.
Overall, Something Upstairs was, despite its flaws, a neat little story that definitely isn't afraid to go the extra mile.
Overall Grade: B+
May 27, 2022
This historical thriller was nail-biting to the end for the kids. Even I must admit that I did not figure out who the murderer was until it was revealed. I found the idea of defining hauntings as either "ghosts haunting to want/need/revenge" or "haunting as just a memory". It did lead to a bit of discussion on what each of us honestly believed and why.
The kids really enjoyed trying to figure out the ending and why the "haunting" was happening. They produced all kinds of ideas as to why Caleb, a teenage slave ghost, was returning night after night just off Kenny's room. They almost argued over what the right and wrong thing to do was. I believe that what I enjoyed most was the discussions that the kids had around this book- the way each had their own way of seeing the story unfold.
Towards the end of the book is a word used that might/will offend some people. It shouldn't be a word that causes any issues, in my opinion, as it was a common word. It was used in the correct form, for the time being described. Today's day and age it is a word not to be used, as it offends people. The wonderful thing about this is that it opened dialogue with the kids to go into detail the history of slavery and the way people talked back then. We were able to openly discuss the differences between language then and now.
The kids really enjoyed trying to figure out the ending and why the "haunting" was happening. They produced all kinds of ideas as to why Caleb, a teenage slave ghost, was returning night after night just off Kenny's room. They almost argued over what the right and wrong thing to do was. I believe that what I enjoyed most was the discussions that the kids had around this book- the way each had their own way of seeing the story unfold.
Towards the end of the book is a word used that might/will offend some people. It shouldn't be a word that causes any issues, in my opinion, as it was a common word. It was used in the correct form, for the time being described. Today's day and age it is a word not to be used, as it offends people. The wonderful thing about this is that it opened dialogue with the kids to go into detail the history of slavery and the way people talked back then. We were able to openly discuss the differences between language then and now.
June 12, 2017
I think this book was okay. It wasn't my favorite book I have ever read but it wasn't the worst. The main character, Kenny, is a brave character. He was brave and went back in time to save someone who needed help. He also is kind because he was willing to help although it wasn't safe. I recommend this book to someone who likes history and adventure.
November 28, 2025
I have no words. I read this in a few hours, that’s how good it is. At first, I never thought I would be so intrigued in a historical fiction book, but this book not only contained history but mystery and horror all in one. This book was definitely worth reading!
July 9, 2017
Listened to the audio book. It was ok.
September 29, 2023
My class enjoyed this book. The story provided some historical information unique to the area, which added to our discussion. There was a split on if they agreed with how the book ended.
February 19, 2017
I really enjoy books by Avi like the Man Who Would Be Poe or Charlotte Doyle. He had a nice method for telling this story interposing himself into it as the listener to a young kid's tale. It concerns Providence 200 years ago, a murder, slavery etc. Quick, easy and entertaining.
September 22, 2016
Something upstairs
Do you like good scary books about ghosts? If you like a good book this is the one for you. It has a pinch of creepiness and a lot of nervousness. Towards the end it gets exciting because you just want to find out what happens so bad. It just leaves you off on a cliff hanger. This is what it's about.
This book is about a boy named Kenny and his new friend Caleb. Kenny just moved into a new house with his family. He gets the whole attic to himself and he's so excited. But as he is examining all of the closets and closed doors he sees something weird. A big blood colored stain on the floor. He thinks it is nothing more than that until that evening when he wakes up startled by something. He looks up and standing in the closet is a human like thing. It looks just like a human only glowing. He ask what it's name is and he said Caleb. He asked why he was in his closet and Caleb said I was murdered and can't leave this room. Kenny asks why, Caleb says because he was a slave for the owner in the house. Kenny says he wants to help Caleb free. They go back to the past and help Caleb get free. But instead of Caleb dying it was willinghast who died. That was the only way to free Caleb and still have Kenny be able to go back into his own time.
My favorite quote from the book is “ it will happen as it was meant to happen. He means nothing to you.” I really like this quote because I love having the bad guys be wrong. He was wrong about how Kenny felt about Caleb. Caleb means everything to Kenny. And Kenny made sure willinghast knows that.
Some of the good parts were when they finally got to go back home, and when Caleb got freed. The bad parts were when they almost got killed by intruders, and when they almost got stuck in the past. I like how Kenny was actually being serious about helping free Caleb. If you are someone who loves reading about creepiness and ghosts this is a book for you. It had me sitting at the end of my chair, ready to jump up and yell what is going to happen!
I personally feel like this was a book that you feel like you are right there with them going through all of it with them. The book just drags you in. I loved this book. This is an awesome book and I hope you read this book. It tells so much detail that you just really wish you were there. It is a horror and suspense book and it makes the hair on your neck raise. This is so far my all time favorite book. I hope you read this book and love it as much as I loved it.
Your student,
Riley Primeau
Do you like good scary books about ghosts? If you like a good book this is the one for you. It has a pinch of creepiness and a lot of nervousness. Towards the end it gets exciting because you just want to find out what happens so bad. It just leaves you off on a cliff hanger. This is what it's about.
This book is about a boy named Kenny and his new friend Caleb. Kenny just moved into a new house with his family. He gets the whole attic to himself and he's so excited. But as he is examining all of the closets and closed doors he sees something weird. A big blood colored stain on the floor. He thinks it is nothing more than that until that evening when he wakes up startled by something. He looks up and standing in the closet is a human like thing. It looks just like a human only glowing. He ask what it's name is and he said Caleb. He asked why he was in his closet and Caleb said I was murdered and can't leave this room. Kenny asks why, Caleb says because he was a slave for the owner in the house. Kenny says he wants to help Caleb free. They go back to the past and help Caleb get free. But instead of Caleb dying it was willinghast who died. That was the only way to free Caleb and still have Kenny be able to go back into his own time.
My favorite quote from the book is “ it will happen as it was meant to happen. He means nothing to you.” I really like this quote because I love having the bad guys be wrong. He was wrong about how Kenny felt about Caleb. Caleb means everything to Kenny. And Kenny made sure willinghast knows that.
Some of the good parts were when they finally got to go back home, and when Caleb got freed. The bad parts were when they almost got killed by intruders, and when they almost got stuck in the past. I like how Kenny was actually being serious about helping free Caleb. If you are someone who loves reading about creepiness and ghosts this is a book for you. It had me sitting at the end of my chair, ready to jump up and yell what is going to happen!
I personally feel like this was a book that you feel like you are right there with them going through all of it with them. The book just drags you in. I loved this book. This is an awesome book and I hope you read this book. It tells so much detail that you just really wish you were there. It is a horror and suspense book and it makes the hair on your neck raise. This is so far my all time favorite book. I hope you read this book and love it as much as I loved it.
Your student,
Riley Primeau
February 24, 2011
I found this at the library and basically needed to check out two things to activate my account. I thought it would be a short interesting read, and it's been forever since I read anything by Avi. We'll see how this goes.
So, Avi is an author mostly read in middle school. So what. This was a quick read (only 116 pages), and a good one. It left me actually wanting to know more, but the story was done. The way this story is told is as a recounting of a young boy's personal memory. Avi is the narrator and relates the whole, short tale as if he is retelling Kenny's tale. Of course, who's to say that is not the case? There is an "Author's Explanation" in the front, where Avi says that this boy's teacher came up to him during his time visiting the school and said she had a student who wanted, needed to meet with him. During this meeting, the boy, Kenny, told him the story this book relates. As Avi finished the explanation, he says, "I think it's true."
The story goes back and forth between modern day (well, c1988) and 1800. It explores memories, quite literally, and the ghosts that create them and are thus created by them.
There are a couple of things I wished Avi had been a bit more explicit about, since he said that he 'researched the truth that he could'. Mostly, I wish that he had included more about Kenny's parents and their reaction to 'the stain on the floor'. He never mentions, neither in explanation nor in story, if the parents see the stain on the small back room's floor. This brings up the possibility that Kenny was always just seeing things, always a pawn of history and of Pardon Willinghast.
I can no longer feel right giving 5 stars to anything that leaves me with serious questions and no way to get them answered, but this was definitely well worth the read. It was interesting seeing a very different form of time travel, where the time may or may not have ever shifted. That question is part of the "Did this really happen to young Kenny Muldorf, or was he dreaming it all?" basis for the book, which Avi sets out in his explanation.
All in all, if you find this book at your local library, go ahead and give it a read. If you are an avid,fast reader, this will probably take you less than the commute to work!
So, Avi is an author mostly read in middle school. So what. This was a quick read (only 116 pages), and a good one. It left me actually wanting to know more, but the story was done. The way this story is told is as a recounting of a young boy's personal memory. Avi is the narrator and relates the whole, short tale as if he is retelling Kenny's tale. Of course, who's to say that is not the case? There is an "Author's Explanation" in the front, where Avi says that this boy's teacher came up to him during his time visiting the school and said she had a student who wanted, needed to meet with him. During this meeting, the boy, Kenny, told him the story this book relates. As Avi finished the explanation, he says, "I think it's true."
The story goes back and forth between modern day (well, c1988) and 1800. It explores memories, quite literally, and the ghosts that create them and are thus created by them.
There are a couple of things I wished Avi had been a bit more explicit about, since he said that he 'researched the truth that he could'. Mostly, I wish that he had included more about Kenny's parents and their reaction to 'the stain on the floor'. He never mentions, neither in explanation nor in story, if the parents see the stain on the small back room's floor. This brings up the possibility that Kenny was always just seeing things, always a pawn of history and of Pardon Willinghast.
I can no longer feel right giving 5 stars to anything that leaves me with serious questions and no way to get them answered, but this was definitely well worth the read. It was interesting seeing a very different form of time travel, where the time may or may not have ever shifted. That question is part of the "Did this really happen to young Kenny Muldorf, or was he dreaming it all?" basis for the book, which Avi sets out in his explanation.
All in all, if you find this book at your local library, go ahead and give it a read. If you are an avid,fast reader, this will probably take you less than the commute to work!
November 10, 2016
SPOILER ALERT-A kid moved into a little town and a little old smelly dirty house. As he is sleeping one day across the hall he hears a loud boom and he goes to the room and he went inside the room and seen a ghost it was a little white ghost. The genre of the story is Mystery. When he seen the ghost I was in shock I didn't see that coming. I think that this book was very suprising and gave me chills when the ghost came into the story.
He went to sleep again and the next night he went back into the room and he talked to the ghost the ghost was a slave. I liked how the author is bringing that suspenese in by saying he is a slave so we don't really know were is from, and that brings the reader feelings in to try and find out more about the ghost and what the kid might do to help the ghost. My favorite part of the book is when he goes back in time for the ghost to find his murderer. While the author was writing the book I felt like he was just throwing little things that weren't needed into some of the pages in the book.
I didn't like the way that the author was putting little things in there like the library was like a block away and there was a man in all black just stairing into my window. In my opion he she have put more supsense into it and made it more creepy and suprising to give the reader chills and to try and find out what is going to happen next.
I could rate the book at least like 4 in a half because the author was putting little things into the pages that were making the book more confusing then it should have been. Like the one going back into time to find the murderer he wanted to make it a long mystery instead and that took the readers to make it longer to find his murderer. When he was writing when they went back in time the author was mkaing more confusing fro the reader to find the suspense.
The title of the book gives the book that thought of you probably know what is going to be like or what is gonna happen in the story. I give the book a 4.5 because it had the suspense but then the ending was to long for the reader to get was going to happen and what the suprise was gonna be and the shock they were suppose to feel at the end.
He went to sleep again and the next night he went back into the room and he talked to the ghost the ghost was a slave. I liked how the author is bringing that suspenese in by saying he is a slave so we don't really know were is from, and that brings the reader feelings in to try and find out more about the ghost and what the kid might do to help the ghost. My favorite part of the book is when he goes back in time for the ghost to find his murderer. While the author was writing the book I felt like he was just throwing little things that weren't needed into some of the pages in the book.
I didn't like the way that the author was putting little things in there like the library was like a block away and there was a man in all black just stairing into my window. In my opion he she have put more supsense into it and made it more creepy and suprising to give the reader chills and to try and find out what is going to happen next.
I could rate the book at least like 4 in a half because the author was putting little things into the pages that were making the book more confusing then it should have been. Like the one going back into time to find the murderer he wanted to make it a long mystery instead and that took the readers to make it longer to find his murderer. When he was writing when they went back in time the author was mkaing more confusing fro the reader to find the suspense.
The title of the book gives the book that thought of you probably know what is going to be like or what is gonna happen in the story. I give the book a 4.5 because it had the suspense but then the ending was to long for the reader to get was going to happen and what the suprise was gonna be and the shock they were suppose to feel at the end.
November 9, 2016
Brief Review:
This book is a historical fiction book. The book also has elements of mystery, ghosts and time travel back to the 1800's. I think students (kids) would really like this book because it has many different parts that are able to grab the interest of a large diverse group of students. The book seems to be written for 5-6 grade kids that are close to the same age as the main character in the book.
Content Area:
I would use this book in the content area of history. I would do this by having students write down events or descriptions in the book that are talked about like the slave trade, the different kinds of people involved in it, the areas of the town that are talked about and so forth. I would then have the students look in non-fiction history books or the internet to compare these descriptions from the book to what was found in their sources. Then as a class we would discuss how a fictional book can use real facts from history in them and create a story around those facts.
Comprehension Questions:
Q: Later in the book it is known that Mr. Willinghast is a ghost, what happened in the beginning of the book that helped the reader (you)foresee that this might be a possibility.
A: The second time Kenny went to the library he told the librarian that he didn’t need to check in because Mr. Willinghast told him to just come on in. Then the librarian said there was no one by the name of Mr Willinghast that worked there.
Q: In the book Kenny went and found Caleb in a place that he was told to be careful if you go, why did he need to be careful of Olney Lane?
A: The reason he needed to be careful was because Olney Lane was the street was a very dark street and outside the city on a hill where many of the colored people lived that were not slaves
Student Wonders:
Was this really a story that a kid told AVI?
Why did Caleb not trust Kenny?
Was the cover picture what the house looked like that the story takes place in?
Do you believe in ghosts?
This book is a historical fiction book. The book also has elements of mystery, ghosts and time travel back to the 1800's. I think students (kids) would really like this book because it has many different parts that are able to grab the interest of a large diverse group of students. The book seems to be written for 5-6 grade kids that are close to the same age as the main character in the book.
Content Area:
I would use this book in the content area of history. I would do this by having students write down events or descriptions in the book that are talked about like the slave trade, the different kinds of people involved in it, the areas of the town that are talked about and so forth. I would then have the students look in non-fiction history books or the internet to compare these descriptions from the book to what was found in their sources. Then as a class we would discuss how a fictional book can use real facts from history in them and create a story around those facts.
Comprehension Questions:
Q: Later in the book it is known that Mr. Willinghast is a ghost, what happened in the beginning of the book that helped the reader (you)foresee that this might be a possibility.
A: The second time Kenny went to the library he told the librarian that he didn’t need to check in because Mr. Willinghast told him to just come on in. Then the librarian said there was no one by the name of Mr Willinghast that worked there.
Q: In the book Kenny went and found Caleb in a place that he was told to be careful if you go, why did he need to be careful of Olney Lane?
A: The reason he needed to be careful was because Olney Lane was the street was a very dark street and outside the city on a hill where many of the colored people lived that were not slaves
Student Wonders:
Was this really a story that a kid told AVI?
Why did Caleb not trust Kenny?
Was the cover picture what the house looked like that the story takes place in?
Do you believe in ghosts?
December 4, 2014
This book is inspired by a real story. Avi was on a tour around the country when he heard about this story. Kenny moved to Providence, RI from LA, and chose the attic for his bedroom. He likes the house, until one night he comes across a scathing noise in his closet and he went to go see and saw it was a ghost. The ghost was rising up from the floorboard Kenny was scared and he started to hide himself in the blankets then when he looked up the ghost had disappeared. As the nights go on Kenny continue to see the ghost. So he goes looking around the city to find a clue what the or who the ghost might be. As he found out his house was actually a slave house and hey sleeve had been killed in his room and nobody had known about it. As one night came Kenny meant the ghost ago said his name was Caleb and as he went to continue Kenny got scared. Caleb brings Kenny along throughout time to show him who is really the man who kills Caleb as he find out The man who was giving him information about his house was the man who killed Caleb has been traveling throughout time and his name is Pardon Willinghast. Kenny had find out that Willy has was the killer when he was in the back of a store and he heard overheard willing has talking about how he killed Caleb or how he was going to kill Caleb. Has Kenny and Kayla were on their way back to the house they had experienced a discrimination battle between the americans and African Americans the Americans were destroying the African-Americans homes by throwing fire. Kenny had realized they were in the racial part of Rhode Island so him and Caleb tried to get out of there soon as fast as possible. As they reach the house they saw that willinnghast was about to kill Caleb and Kenny has stopped willinghast from killing Caleb and now he has restored what had happened to Caleb.
August 2, 2016
This book was eerily good. My cousin had to read it for her summer reading for school and when she explained the premise of the book to me, I thought it surely can’t be true because the book states that it’s based on a true story.
I believe in ghosts, but ghosts being able to actually talk to you instead of send signs and miracles as well as going back in time, seem a little far-fetched.
Yet, my interest was piqued and I read the 140-page book in one sitting.
The characters were interesting as Kenny, the protagonist, moves into a new home only to find a ghost haunting his bedroom. The ghost, Caleb, is 16-years-old and was a slave during his life. He was murdered and wants Kenny to help him figure out who murdered him so he can finally rest in peace.
Kenny does research about the past and his house at the library learning a lot about Caleb and the dates that he was alive. True or not, this story is a fun history lesson.
Caleb and Kenny go back in time where Caleb is alive and Kenny, not existing yet, is a ghost. They confront the murderer and… Well, you’ll have to read it for yourself.
When I finished the book I Googled the murderer’s name. Sure enough, these people were real and it’s one of those things that if you decide to believe, then it’s true.
It was a quick, thrilling read and definitely intriguing as you wonder what’s real and what’s not. Avi did a great job interpreting the story and it was hard to put down.
Something Upstairs by Avi gets 5 out of 5 stars.
Favorite Quote:
“Is memory real? Can you kill a memory? Change it?” –Avi, Something Upstairs
This review can also be viewed on RachelPoli.com.
I believe in ghosts, but ghosts being able to actually talk to you instead of send signs and miracles as well as going back in time, seem a little far-fetched.
Yet, my interest was piqued and I read the 140-page book in one sitting.
The characters were interesting as Kenny, the protagonist, moves into a new home only to find a ghost haunting his bedroom. The ghost, Caleb, is 16-years-old and was a slave during his life. He was murdered and wants Kenny to help him figure out who murdered him so he can finally rest in peace.
Kenny does research about the past and his house at the library learning a lot about Caleb and the dates that he was alive. True or not, this story is a fun history lesson.
Caleb and Kenny go back in time where Caleb is alive and Kenny, not existing yet, is a ghost. They confront the murderer and… Well, you’ll have to read it for yourself.
When I finished the book I Googled the murderer’s name. Sure enough, these people were real and it’s one of those things that if you decide to believe, then it’s true.
It was a quick, thrilling read and definitely intriguing as you wonder what’s real and what’s not. Avi did a great job interpreting the story and it was hard to put down.
Something Upstairs by Avi gets 5 out of 5 stars.
Favorite Quote:
“Is memory real? Can you kill a memory? Change it?” –Avi, Something Upstairs
This review can also be viewed on RachelPoli.com.
October 1, 2014
***spoiler alert***We like scary books.I think the genre in fiction because ghosts aren't real.I like this book because is an inventure book.
The setting of the book is a little city the Kenny moves in.Kenny wanted to know what was making the noise in the night.But he was scare to know what was it and it was dark.So he got a flashlight that was onder his pillow.Then he went to the little room that the noise was coming from.The conflict is person vs person because Kenny and Caleb which is the ghost name.
I was surprised when Kenny and Caleb fight because there like brothers.I don't get why the author did that Kenny and Caleb fight because they are friends kind off brother.My opinion is the I didn't like when the author made Kenny and Caleb fight.
The main character is Kenny.The main character's problem is the
he finds out that there is a ghost in his house and he is friends with him.My opinion is that I like when the when then author made Kenny and Caleb friends.
I give my book throught 1-5 scale 5 because is was all a mystery and it was adverterous.I recommen this book to mystery lovers and adventure.This book will make you cry when Kenny's heart sinks.
The setting of the book is a little city the Kenny moves in.Kenny wanted to know what was making the noise in the night.But he was scare to know what was it and it was dark.So he got a flashlight that was onder his pillow.Then he went to the little room that the noise was coming from.The conflict is person vs person because Kenny and Caleb which is the ghost name.
I was surprised when Kenny and Caleb fight because there like brothers.I don't get why the author did that Kenny and Caleb fight because they are friends kind off brother.My opinion is the I didn't like when the author made Kenny and Caleb fight.
The main character is Kenny.The main character's problem is the
he finds out that there is a ghost in his house and he is friends with him.My opinion is that I like when the when then author made Kenny and Caleb friends.
I give my book throught 1-5 scale 5 because is was all a mystery and it was adverterous.I recommen this book to mystery lovers and adventure.This book will make you cry when Kenny's heart sinks.
November 4, 2012
Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com
Twelve-year-old Kenny Huldorf tells the story of how when he moved to Providence, Rhode Island, he discovered his old house was haunted by the ghost of a slave named Caleb.
After doing some research, he discovers that someone murdered Caleb. Taken back in time by the ghost to solve the murder, Kenny becomes entangled in a mystery that will test his wits, his life, and the life of his newfound friend.
Will Kenny manage to right the wrong and save Caleb by uncovering his murderer? Will Kenny be trapped in history or, even worse, be killed?
A chilling ghost story that will unnerve its readers like a good story should. With a surprise ending, memorable characters, and a well-developed plot, this book is by far one of Avi's best. Readers who like ghost stories, Avi books, and paranormal fiction will all enjoy reading SOMETHING UPSTAIRS.
Twelve-year-old Kenny Huldorf tells the story of how when he moved to Providence, Rhode Island, he discovered his old house was haunted by the ghost of a slave named Caleb.
After doing some research, he discovers that someone murdered Caleb. Taken back in time by the ghost to solve the murder, Kenny becomes entangled in a mystery that will test his wits, his life, and the life of his newfound friend.
Will Kenny manage to right the wrong and save Caleb by uncovering his murderer? Will Kenny be trapped in history or, even worse, be killed?
A chilling ghost story that will unnerve its readers like a good story should. With a surprise ending, memorable characters, and a well-developed plot, this book is by far one of Avi's best. Readers who like ghost stories, Avi books, and paranormal fiction will all enjoy reading SOMETHING UPSTAIRS.
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