The 13th Floor: A Ghost Story

By Sid Fleischman

Book Overview

There's a mile-long word for the fear (and magic) of the number thirteen- triskaidekaphobia. In this comic fireworks of a novel, newly orphaned Buddy Stebbins stumbles onto the 13th floor of a shabby old building and finds himself transported aboard a leaking pirate ship in a howling storm--300 years in the past Cast adrift, he washes up in New England where his plucky ancestor, ten-year-old Abigail, is caught up in the witchcraft mania and is about to be hanged. Firing off surprises like Roman candles from almost every page, award-winning novelist Sid Fleischman tells a many-mirrored tale of ghosts, witchcraft, razzle-dazzle treasure, and the mischief of illusion and delusion. There's a mile-long word for the fear (and magic) or the number thirteen - triskaidekaphobia . In this comic fireworks of a novel, newly orphaned Buddy Stebbins stumbles onto the 13th floor of a shabby old building and finds himself transported aboard a leaking pirate ship in a howling storm - 300 years in the past Cast adrift, he washes up in New England where his plucky ancestor, ten-year-old Abigail, is caught up in the witchcraft mania and is about to be hanged. Firing off surprises like Roman candles from almost every page, award-winning novelist Sid Fleischman tells a many-mirrored tale of ghosts, witchcraft, razzle-dazzle treasure, and the mischief of illusion and delusion.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688142168
• ISBN13: 9780688142162
• Release Date: October 1995
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

A very good book!

I liked this book because it is sort of a mystery and history book. This book is about two kids who owe money because their parents were poor and owed money but they died. When the kids, Bud and his older sister Liz, get a telephone message from a person who works on a 13th floor of a building, they think it is a prank. When his sister goes to work and doesn't come back, Bud thinks that she when to the 13th floor. When he opens the door to the 13th floor, he finds himself on a ship with an ancestor! Bud figures out that he traveled 300 years back in time! From there it goes on from Bud learning about a ship to Liz saving the ancestor who called them from accusement of witchcraft. I am not going to tell you the rest of the story. You are going to have to read it!!!

It left me in suspense but happy!

I really enjoyed the author's style. It didn't have high vocabualry or complex sentence structure which made it appealing. The author's creative plot was very interesting that left me in suspense page after page. I am a little unsure about the reference to the treasure on the last page of Chatper 18. It was page 112. I liked the excitement in the book, though, but I am still left puzzled about the ship that was buried twice?

Excellent! - An elevator brings them to another world!

This book was a great book. Its about these two kids who find out there is a thirteenth floor on an old building. When they enter they find themselves fighting pirates and the boy finds himself trying his best to help his sister who has been accused of being a witch! This book always pushed me to turn the page. It is an easy reader but fun to read.

Excellent story, enjoyed by adults & children

This is probably the best audiobook for children we've found.The story was loved by both of my children (6 & 8 years old). Thecharacters were interesting and the period of history being examined (early American settlement) nicely represented for their age. The reader did an excellent job and the adults in the family enjoyed the story as well (important for those long car trips). We listened to this on our way to Salem, MA, and this provided an excellent introduction to the history of both New England & the time we were going to see.

This is a very adventurous book.

When I first looked at this book I didn't think I'd enjoy it but after the first few pages I couldn't pull myself away. I loved reading it. When Buddy gets scared I almost got as scared as him. I think it was well written - it is my second favorite book.