Apartment 713

by Kevin Sylvester

Secret ballrooms, hidden artwork and unlikely friends—welcome to the Regency, where even time moves in surprising ways!

Jake Simmons hates his new home.

The Regency is nothing more than floor after floor of peeling wallpaper and faded glory. Jake misses his old life. He misses the time when his mother was employed. He misses living in a house where the wind doesn’t make the windows whistle.

Loneliness (and a trail of kittens) leads Jake to the apartment of an elderly lady, then to the bowels of the building and then to a part-time job assisting Larry the custodian. With each passing day, the building reveals more of its mysteries to Jake. The occupants grow on him too.

Unfortunately, Jake’s feeling of belonging is short-lived: the city plans to demolish the Regency. Jake feels powerless. And then fate throws him a curveball. He’s summoned to apartment 713. An apartment he’s been told is off-limits. But when he opens the door . . . he travels to the past!

Alongside Beth, his new friend and guide, Jake begins searching for any clue that might help him save the Regency. As their friendship blooms, the mystery around the building’s makers deepens. The Regency’s own storied past will give Jake the key to saving his own future—if only he knows where to look.

Genres: Middle Grade, Canada, Fantasy, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Childrens

231 pages, Hardcover

First published September 13, 2022

About the author

KEVIN SYLVESTER is an award winning illustrator, writer and broadcaster.

His new sci-fi series MiNRs is now out from Simon and Schuster. MINRs was named a 2017 Honour Red Maple and Manitoba Reader's Honour book and a 2015 CLA Honour Book. MINRs2 is out. MINRs3 will be released in 2018.

His series The Neil Flambé Capers is already a bestseller and critical success. Students across Ontario picked 'Neil Flambé and the Marco Polo Murders' as the Silver Birch winner for fiction in 2011!

There are 6 books in the series so far, Neil Flambé and the Duel in the Desert is the latest.

Super-chef Gordon Ramsay calls the series “Good Fun”.

Kevin also does picture books - "Super-Duper Monster Viewer" is out from Groundwood. GREAT (with the Gretzky family) is out from Penguin.

Kevin’s first picture book 'Splinters' was published in fall 2010 by Tundra. It’s about a young girl who only wants to play hockey, but the mean coach and her daughters won’t let her. Can her fairy goaltender come to the rescue?

Kevin non-fiction titles include Follow Your Money, Baseballogy, Basketballogoy, Sports Hall of Weird and Gold Medal for Weird.

Kevin has been a broadcaster on national radio in Canada for years and years and has covered eight Olympic Games. He also produced documentaries on topics ranging from racism in hockey to the history of church bells in Canada.

He now splits his time between his attic studio in Toronto and the radio. He was named a Massey Journalism Scholar in 2007 and used the time to study theology at the University of Toronto.

Reviews

[Kathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to @harperkids for an ARC of APARTMENT 713 by @sylvesterartwork (release date is September 13th)

ALL THE STARS!! Kevin Sylvester knocks it out of the park with this heartwarming story about a boy named Jake who travels back in time to look for clues to help him save his home at The Regency. He meets a girl named Beth, who is the daughter of one of the men who helped build the apartment building, and helps him in his search to discover its mysteries and hidden secrets. There’s a focus on architecture and the unique details of this once-opulent structure that is falling apart in the present, as well as interesting historical details and well-known people from the past. But what I love most is how this story brings together individuals who live in The Regency and call it home.

At 240 pages, this book will appeal to a broad audience, and I would highly recommend it for Gr. 4-7.

[Shaunna MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole book is my favourite thing - I loved Jake’s realization that old can be beautiful - in the form of the the building and the dementia-suffering Lily. The friendship between Jake and Lily is a great role model for middle graders to seek out stories and friendship in older generations and learn the lives they’ve lead.
Probably the sweetest time traveling middle grade book I’ve ever read.

[Larissa Fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s so much in this book: adventure, time-travel, architecture, and sleuthing! Along with the main character, Jake, we fall in love with the apartment building The Regency, which is as much a character in the story as any of the people. Who wouldn’t love a building that has a hidden elevator and secret rooms and compartments?

We travel back to the 1920s when the The Regency was first built and was in its prime. Jake makes a wonderful friend in Beth and together they try to figure out how to save the building, which is condemned to demolition in Jake’s time. There are intriguing mysteries to the building and fun cameos by the likes of Babe Ruth, Louis Armstrong, and Georgia O’Keefe. I loved how the book brings history alive.

Running through Apartment 713 are heartwarming themes of the importance of community and compassion. Above all The Regency is a place where everyone can find a home, even if they’ve fallen through the cracks of mainstream society. A warning that the ending is an unexpected tear-jerker—be sure to have tissues handy!

[C.A. Simonsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

History, mystery and a whole lot of heart.

Normally, I shy away from the YA/teen titles. The majority of them are highly overrated, in my opinion. Not Apartment 713. What an achievement by Kevin Sylvester, as young Jake Simmons finds himself trapped in the 1920s without knowing his purpose.

I loved the insertion of historical characters and the contrasts between life in the 2020s and 1920s. Jake's attempt at explaining the internet to his friend in the past is hilarious. The book is packed with visual wonders, treasures, secrets. It is a must for all school libraries.

Well done, Mr. Sylvester. Keep 'em coming.

[Tiziana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this time travel mystery! I was pleasantly surprised and I'd even recommend it.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Battle of the Books- heartwarming, mystery

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a well written children’s book. This is one of the best. Beautiful building and time travel what more can you ask. Read it!!

[JoAnne Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely a 5 star Kevin! Top shelf! Recommed it? Yes!! I would recommend this wonderful time travel mystery to everyone. Every age group.

[Lori Emilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing story by this author. Time travel, mystery, interesting characters… what’s not to love????

[Paul Sutter]

Yes they would classify this as a young adult title, but there is no reason why a reader of any age beyond young adults, would not find this book entertaining and an excellent read. I am always a fan of time travel stories, and going back in time to change the course of history. Such tales make for engaging reading, and create what ifs and so many possibilities.
Here in APARTMENT 713, we find that lives can be altered, by just a bit of time travel, and understanding the past gives us insight into the present. Young Jake Simmons is very upset that he and his mother have to move into the Regency, a very run-down and almost on its last legs building. Jake is upset that they had to move to this part of town, and where he once enjoyed friends and his video games, he is now reduced to dealing with most unusual characters in the building.
There is the cat lady who has a large number of felines in her care, along with other people who you would feel hesitant to interact with under the best of times. He gets a job assisting Danny who is the custodian of the building. Jake is told the rules of the building, one of them being do not ever go into Apartment 713. But when Jake sees the light flashing for Apartment 713, he heads there and meets Beth. Not only this, Jake realizes he has stepped back in time during the heyday of the Regency when people like Louis Armstrong performed there.
He gets to meet Babe Ruth and Cool Papa Bell, interacting with people from almost a century earlier. Beth does not at first understand he time traveled, but as he tells her things about the world and Regency she understands. He knows he has come back to save the building, and that is his mission, along with returning to the present. He feels closer to Beth and starts to grow internally when dealing with something important to him. He almost does not want to return to present day, and when he does, although he spent almost a month in the past, it is barely minutes he has been gone in the present.
The book is a fascinating look at youth and what matters most, taking a stand and working for the common good of everyone. It teaches us this without being preachy to young readers, and it speaks to everyone young and old.

[Imogen Baguley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't read unless you´ve read the Book! Spoiler!


Retell:
The characters are Jake, Beth/Lily (main characters) Mr. Williams, Beth’s dad who had died, and Dany (side characters) Jake Simons is a boy who is used to playing video games and staying inside all the time. Beth/Lily is this old lady who lives at the regency that Jake moved to. Beth/Lily is also a girl Jake's age. It is set at the Regency. In the year 1920, 30, 40, or 50 something. Centered around the apartment 713.

When Jake comes to the regency he thinks it's just like any other old building with cracked wallpaper and creaky floors. He misses his old house and his mom having a job. Jake sees kittens and the kittens lead him to an apartment with an old woman in it. Jake gets a job at the Regency working with Dany. Every day he learns more about the regency and its secrets. The Occupants grow on him and he starts becoming more and more closer with the place and with Dany. But the city plans to demolish the regency. Jake feels powerless and has no control over this. When he's in the basement the lights go on for an apartment, apartment 713! He was told it's off-limits and that no one lives in it. When he goes into apartment 713 he travels back in time! He meets a new friend Beth and meets the owner and architect of the building Mr. Williams. Over time he becomes close with Beth and tells Beth he's from the future. Beth is hesitant at first but then they work on why Jake’s here and what he has to do to get back. Beth tells him about her dad who worked on the regency and what happened with him. They try and find clues to what happened with Beth's dad and they eventually find a clue, painters, and check but don't find anything so Beth tries but falls Jake tries and finds it!

I loved the book! It had a mix of mystery, sadness, happiness, and lots of heartwarming parts. I loved it because it was so life-like of course not the time travel part but how Jake hated the place, if I was Jake I would have acted in a very similar way. Also with Beth with the attitude, it's just like people would actually act like that in those circumstances. I learned that you should trust people if it feels right in your gut. I also learned that your instincts are usually right.

[Richard L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded down in adherence with the GR rating scale.
* A good read, albeit perhaps not a great one.
* The publisher's website recommends this book for ages 8-12, but 8-10 seems more appropriate, since the plot moves swiftly with minimal character development. (i.e., readers at the higher end of the suggested age range may wish for greater depth and nuance)
* The story begins rather abruptly, and several other scenes begin or end in similarly sudden fashion. Initially thought a page had been skipped accidentally, but soon realized it was simply the writing style.
* The detailed baseball scenes and references will be enjoyable for fans of the sport, tolerable for others.
* The building is the star of the show, while most everything else is sketchily drawn. For example, the main characters are not described in any way; in fact, beyond a few characters being tall or large, the book is descriptive of rooms and structures only, not people. (Perhaps this is intended to enable any reader to imagine themselves in the story?)
* There is fun in the discoveries of, and stories behind, the hidden keys and rooms, although most mysteries are resolved within a few pages of their introduction or exploration. Again, mature young readers will wish for more suspense.
* Most if not all of the obstacles encountered by the time-travelling protagonist are easily surmounted, which lowers the overall stakes of their predicament; i.e., befriending Beth, being hired by Mr. Williams, fooling Beth's mother - everything works out with little difficulty or effort.
* The revelations in the ending scenes will surprise only those unfamiliar with time travel tales. (There is also an abundance of Forrest Gump-esque Easter eggs which will amuse adults, but obviously not resonate with the target audience.) That said, the story concludes with more than one sweet moment.

[Kay S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always skeptical of time travel narratives. They usually end up AWFUL and convoluted with more issues than a middle grade novel can usually handle. I loved this book. It had just enough of a magical fantasy elements in the setting overall that it worked. The MC maintained their connection to the modern world while at the same time getting lost enough in the '20s to marvel at simple things like live performances and the value of the modern dollar. He made friends and formed connections and had significant character development that wasn't always about getting back to the modern world.

That being said, Sylvester got his digs in about "kids these days and their technology". I also think a lot of the references to public figures of the time might be lost on middle-grade kids (I'm not a kid and while I knew MOST of the famous people mentioned in this book, who in the world is Big Pappa Bell? No idea about the artist who painted the hotel murals either). Is this to encourage kids to use their technology to learn something about the "greats" of the past? Or, like me (because I'm driving and listening to the audiobook), are they just supposed to go along with these famous people?

I also want to point out the lightly ambiguous ending. I really was expecting Jake to come back and everything be fixed by what he did/discovered in the past. I was shocked by how much changed in the last few chapters. Sylvester dealt gracefully with death of an aged loved one and dementia, PTSD and small recovery steps, and still holding out hope even though nothing may come of it. It was a really nice way to end the book.

[Red Cedar Book Award · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake Simmons hates The Regency, the decrepit old apartment building he has been forced to move into with his mother. Nothing works at The Regency, it’s a dump and despite his mother saying it is only temporary, even living in the dump for a short period of time is too much! Jake also hates what The Regency means – leaving behind his old house, his old life, and his old friends. Despite his hatred of the old building, boredom and a trail of lost kittens brings Jake into a relationship with the building’s caregiver, Larry, who claims The Regency is “full of much more than meets the eye”. Slowly as Jake begins to appreciate the people in The Regency, he learns the city is planning to demolish the building. Sadly, Jake trudges to Apartment 713 – an apartment he was told is off limits – and he is transported into the past and on an adventure to save the building, its history, and the inhabitants who have called it home throughout the years.

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secret ballrooms, hidden artwork, and unlikely friends- welcome to the Regency, where even time moves in surprising ways. Jake Simmons hates his new home. The Regency is floor after floor of peeling wallpaper and faded glory. Loneliness leads Jake to the apartment of an elderly lady and then to the bowels of the building, and then to a part-time job assisting Larry the custodian. With each passing day, the building reveals more mysteries to Jake and the occupants grow on him too.

Unfortunately, the city plans to demolish the Regency and Jake feels powerless. After being summoned to apartment 713, he opens the door and travels to the past! Jake and his new friend, Beth begin looking for clues that might help him save the Regency.

The Regency’s own storied past will give Jake the key to saving his own future if he knows where to look.

[Nicole Marques · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 12-year-old son doesn’t usually get excited about books—so when he finished Apartment 713 and immediately asked me to read it so we could talk about it, I knew it had to be something special. He couldn’t stop raving about it. And honestly? He was right. I ended up reading the whole thing in a day.

This story has everything—mystery, adventure, time travel, friendship, and so much heart. It’s playful and fun but also really touching. There were parts that made me laugh and others that genuinely made me tear up.

What I loved most is how the story shows kids dealing with big feelings and tough situations in such a real, honest way. It’s about family, friendship, and finding your place when things feel uncertain.

[To Read Pile Too Big · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not the intended audience for this book, so I’m not sure my opinion matters, but I do enjoy a good YA novel. The premise was really good. I like the building, Larry, and the inhabitants. I love a time travel mystery. Some of the dialogue was cringe-worthy. Did he google “slang from the 20s” and try to fit them all in or something? He spent too much time describing life in that era and not enough time on the time travel and mystery. After pages and pages of seemingly nothing happening, then Jake returns to his own time and it’s all wrapped up in a jiffy. So many lost opportunities to link things Jake did in the past that changed the future. Overall, a good read.

[Niki · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Jake moves into The Regency he is disappointed and discouraged. As the building's secrets become revealed, Jake learns The Regency is so much more than he initially thought. Canadian author Kevin Sylvester packs time travel, historical "Easter eggs", and some subtle life lessons into this interesting and well-written novel. Sprinkled with Sylvester's illustrations as well, Apartment 713 is a gem.

Apartment 713 is nominated for the 2024 MYRCA Sundogs. I'd recommend it for readers in grades 5-8.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this incredible story that was part Back to the Future, part When You Reach Me, part Titanic! (OK, maybe not as dramatic as a sinking ship, but they both have an old lady, a mysterious treasure, and an opulent, turn-of-the-century residence!) I could very much see this on a big screen too! I loved The Regency, its residents (past and present), and the friendships Jake makes as he opens his heart and mind to what HOME really means.

[CRAZY N8! · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great book because you never know what is going to happen next, so you just have to keep reading. For me, I just couldn't stop reading it, but one part in the book was really boring.

No offence to baseball lovers, but the book went into way too much detail about the game of baseball during one of the chapters.

That's why I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars.

But if you like mystery books, you will like this one!

[Crystal Bosch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my students (Grades 3-5). They absolutely loved it. They continually begged for one more chapter. They were very engaged in trying to figure out how the past and present were connected. They made great connections and predictions.

I had to read ahead as I couldn’t put the book down. I also did a bit of research to find out about some of the real life characters in the book. I learned a bit of history myself.

Recommend to readers of any age. Great book!

[Liz Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars. This was the perfect feel good story that everyone needs right now. It reminded me of Tom’s Midnight Garden, one of my favourites as a kid. I found it much more emotional than the other Sylvester books I have read and definitely got a little misty eyed at the end. Really wonderful and highly recommended.

[Thebruce1314 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the spirit of this book, and that was enough to tip it to five stars. There were parts in the first half that were a little slow, but the second half, the dedication and acknowledgements (trust me, worth a read - completely agree with his philosophy), and the illustrations are all perfection for this reader.

[CAW · Rating 5 out of 5]

I waited for a long time to get the audiobook. It came highly recommended by a CBC youth book panel, and it was well worth the wait. I think I will purchase for a grandchild and look into more from this author.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an awesome book that highlights dual timelines and perspective for younger middle school children. The mystery is a good one for the kids and I know they will love it. I am so happy this has been included in the Forest of Reading program this year!

[N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun time travel about a boy whose family has fallen on hard times and been forced to move into a crumbling hotel, how he travels back in time, and his quest (with new friend Beth) to save the hotel.

[Nayeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and touching.

[Amy Poirier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apartment 713 is a heartwarming story about the value of family and home. It made me cry and featured time-travel. Winner!

[Sheri Radford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable time-travel book for kids.

[Roxy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars