Das Stanley Hotel gilt vermutlich offiziell als eines der meistheimgesuchten Hotels der Welt; dass es Stephen King als Inspiration für das Overlook Hotel, den Schauplatz in seinem Roman „Shining“, angibt, hat den Bekanntheitsgrad wahrscheinlich noch um ein Vielfaches erhöht: Auch der englischsprachige Kinder-/Jugendroman „Trapped in Room 217“ spielt nun also in jenem realen Hotel und erzählt von zwei Geschwistern, die ihren alleinerziehenden Vater zu einem kurzfristigen Arbeitsauftrag nach Colorado begleiten, wo jener die Familie ausgerechnet im berüchtigten Zimmer 217 eingemietet hat. Jenes Zimmer gilt tatsächlich als „das“ Geisterzimmer des Hotels, da hier weilende Gäste schon sehr häufig den Geist eines früheren Zimmermädchens gesehen zu haben behaupteten.
Damit ist „Trapped in Room 217“, sofern das auf Wiedergaben von paranormalen Erlebnissen zutreffen kann, also auf einer realen Basis fußend: Natürlich sehen die Kinder hier nachts auch den Geist des Zimmermädchens und schwanken zwischen Schock und Neugier; vor Allem die Abenteuerlust der großen Schwester ist geweckt, die nun unbedingt mit ihrem Bruder herausfinden will, was der Geist eigentlich will, was der da ständig sucht, und die dem Geist ggf. auch gerne helfen würde, es zu finden.

Der kleine Dion ist erst 7 Jahre alt, die große Schwester nur ein paar wenige Jahre älter; das Buch wird von 8-12 empfohlen, womit die Altersspanne der Zielgruppe im selben Rahmen wie die der beiden kindlichen Hauptfiguren ist. Das Englisch ist auch entsprechend einfach gehalten; ich denke, Fremdsprachler werden ab dem dritten Jahr regulären Englischunterrichts absolut ohne Probleme mit der Geschichte klarkommen.
Ansonsten halte ich persönlich 10 Jahre für das ideale Alter für dieses Buch; ich weiß nicht, ob ich die Geschichte einem 8Jährigen bereits in die Hand drücken würde (wenn dann vermutlich nur zum gemeinsamen Lesen): Das ist halt eine Gruselgeschichte und die Gruselelemente sind hier sehr intensiv dargestellt; es ist eine sehr atmosphärische Erzählung, die, wie ich finde, als Sage auch Erwachsene noch ansprechen kann; das Stanley Hotel mit seinen Geistergeschichten ist hier sehr realitätsgetreu abgebildet und ich denke einfach, einige der Schilderungen könnten jüngere Kinder doch noch komplett verängstigen. Ich hatte da auch so meine Momente, wo ich mir automatisch wieder ins Gedächtnis rief, dass dies ein Buch für Kinder ist und dass diese oder jene Szene darum garantiert nicht zu fürchterlich ausgehen würde; da gab es halt doch gewisse Gänsehaut-Gefühle.

Mit 136 Seiten ist das Buch auch nicht zu lang; ich denke, damit kommen Kinder in jedem Fall sehr gut klar und die Kürze finde ich hier zudem insofern gut als dass dies klar ein Roman ist, der dazu einlädt, ihn nicht aus den Fingern legen zu wollen und über den sich Kinder nicht über zwei Wochen hinweg ängstigen müssen; das Ende ist auch schlüssig und so hinzunehmen. Mit meinen Erwachsenenaugen betrachtet fand ich das Geheimnis hinter der Geistersuche ein bisschen fragwürdig; ich würde ja davon ausgehen, dass in den letzten Jahrzehnten dort doch auch mal renoviert wurde, aber dieses Thema des suchenden Geists wurde für Kinder definitiv voll verständlich erklärt.
Letztlich passiert auch nichts Böses; das ist absolut nicht wie in den „Erwachsenengruselbüchern“, wo letztlich kaum wer (wenn überhaupt) überlebt; aber diese ja völlig unbekannten, fremden Geschehnisse sind doch, grad für Kinder, wohl auch etwas furchteinflößend. Toll ist aber: Regelmäßig ist das Buch von sehr schön gemachten Illustrationen unterbrochen; das Cover ist da exemplarisch; die jeweils auch etwas Beruhigendes ausstrahlen. Da liest man eben grade einen besonders gruselig klingenden Teil der Geschichte, malt ihn sich selbst in seiner Fantasie überaus schrecklich aus, und da kommt da eine Illustration jener Szene, auf der die gar nicht so böse wirkt. Das ist einfach sehr schön gestaltet.

Für mich ist das einfach ein klasse Schauerroman für Kinder, welcher denen durchaus das Gefühl geben kann, jetzt schon „Grusel für Große“ lesen zu können bzw. zu dürfen; besonders passend auch zur Zeit um Halloween. Aber wie gesagt: ein besonders ängstliches Kind würde ich überhaupt nicht mit diesem Buch konfrontieren und mit einem minderängstlichen Kind würde ich das Buch noch zusammen lesen. Aber sobald ein Kind in dem Alter, und Zustand, angekommen ist, in dem es sich für Geistergeschichten vollauf begeistern kann und sich mit Freunden flüsternd abstruse Spukgeschichten zuraunt: Dann ist die Geschichte von „Trapped in Room 217“ definitiv perfekt!

Spring break is cut short when Jayla’s dad moves her and her brother (Dion) to Colorado for work reasons. Unawares to them, they check into the most haunted room in The Stanley Hotel, 217. Sure enough, they start to experience the hauntings first hand when they catch the ghost of an old maid tidying their room in the middle of the night.

Jayla and Dion are left alone in the hotel all day while their father is at work. It’s up to them to find out more about this ghostly visitor, is she dangerous? Is she trapped?
REVIEW

Trapped in Room 217 by by Thomas Kingley Troupe

First of all, this is a ghost story for children, with illustrations.

The illustrations weren’t on my review copy, but if they’re anything like the front cover then it’ll be a massive boost to the book.

So why did this appealed to me?

A. I loved ghost stories when I was a kid. So I feel like I was the right person to review this book as an adult.

B. The Stanley Hotel. Have you not seen the Ghost Hunters episode where they hear those voices in the tunnel? Still gives me the creeps thinking about it. Put it into youtube now.

So what do I have to say about this book? It’s a short book at 136 pages. The story moves along quite fast. It has all the charm of a haunted house novel. I think kids will really enjoy this one when it comes out in September.

Does it have it’s hang ups? Yeah, a couple. I think the father of the kids is a little irresponsible to leave them alone all day in a strange hotel where any dangers could happen. At one point, the kids go into the tunnels by themselves and get lost. It’s bad parenting, but if he was a good dad there wouldn’t be much of a story.

I thought it was cool that we have a book about a real ghost. I’m not confirming that the ghost is real, but the legend of the spirits that haunt that hotel are present in this book. It’s good to creep children out by telling them “this is based on a real haunting”.
BOOKS BY THE FIRE SCORE – 5/10

The ending was interesting, but left a few more questions. I guess where the story was written about a real ghost the author couldn’t go into too much detail. No one knows why spirits exist, or if they even do, and certainly not how to get rid of them if they did.

The main characters seem likeable, but no one really develops their character as the story unfolds. The paranormal activity drives the plot. The characters just follow it along.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this so early.

You can order it on Amazon, It’s due for release on 01/09/18.

Trapped in Room 217 was a short, fun ghost story. A family that doesn't believe in ghost stay in what turns out to a very haunted hotel. They quickly change their minds about the paranormal. The writing was great and straight to the point. I loved how quickly it moved along. My copy didn't have the art work but I imagine the artwork will enhance this story greatly.

What a great book for kids !! It was well written, spooky but not too spooky! I read it in one sitting and I really enjoyed it. Loved the brother and sister relationship. I highly recommend this book to everyone! I can't wait to buy it so I can see the illustrations!

Jayla and Dion go to Colorado with their father who is working a job in the area. They stay at the Stanley hotel. Their room hass a ghost. Room 217 had the ghost of Elizabeth. She was a maid who is trapped in their room. Jayla located a locket in the room and thinks this will help Elizabeth cross over, but it just upsets her. She destroys their room until Jayla returns the locket to its proper place. This was a interesting story dealing with the supernatural. I believe my students would really enjoy it. It makes you think about the existence of the supernatural.

After reading the author's notes at the end, I was interested to find that the Stanley hotel is a real place and it is really haunted. Now it is on my to be visited list! I recommend this book to all students who enjoy reading about the existence of ghosts!

I didn't realise this was for younger readers when I selected it, but it wasn't a bad read. I like how it's based on a true haunting. It's a quick read, and not scary enough to freak out younger readers. It's certainly not dark enough to be classed as horror for YA or adult readers.
I would have liked a more solid explanation as to why the ghost is still there.

Interest Level: 3-6

Have you ever stayed in a haunted hotel? Would you? When Jayla and her younger brother Dion have to go with their father to Estes Park, Colorado for a week, they have no idea that they will be staying in one of the most haunted hotels in America. This is a last minute trip for their dad's work so they can't be picky about which hotel room they get. Room 217 is the only available room. They don't know what they are getting into but heads do turn in the lobby when it is announced what room they will stay in. On their first night in room 217, Jayla and Dion see the apparition of a full-sized female ghost come into their room. She walks over to the wall to do something, she bends over to pick something up, she picks up and folds their dirty towels, and she leaves. Jayla and Dion are completely freaked out until they learn the history of this lady, Elizabeth. Jayla is determined that Elizabeth is stuck here and she wants to try to set her free. She comes up with a plan, but little does she know that her plan will upset Elizabeth and things begin to go all wrong. Can Jayla set things right or will she have a very angry ghost to deal with? Read this exciting and a slightly scary book to find out what happens!

I love scary ghost stories and this one does not disappoint. The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado is a real haunted hotel and room 217 is a real haunted room, among many other rooms in which you can book a room. This book is the first in a series called Haunted States of America. I cannot wait for more! This book is a short read and great for the reluctant readers who want to be a little scared, but not too much. I now have a new addition to my bucket list! Don't miss this one!

When I requested this book I did not realize it was aimed at the middle grade market, so was slightly disappointed when I started reading as it soon became apparent. My bad! The book is quite short but was an ok read and I am sure kids would enjoy it and find it scary enough without entering the realms of Stephen King! Scary easy read suitable for kids aged 10+

Where were this book when I was a little thing and looked for haunted stories that won't have blood and gore?!!! Enough spooky to keep a kid hooked, but not too much to give him horrible nightmares. Perfect for 9-13 year olds.
I loved it more due to the fact that the story is based on real life haunted places, and the author really did all the fact checks before turning it to a fiction.

8 year old me would have been all over this book! 11yo Jayla and her younger brother Dion have been left to their own devices in a haunted hotel while their dad is working. On their first night there, they wake up to the ghost of a hotel maid walking through their room. From that point on, Jayla is determined to discover who the dead woman is and free her from her nightly vigil.

This book is child-friendly in that there's no gruesome deaths or violence, the scares come from rattling door handles and bits of furniture being thrown around - I feel like there could have been a more satisfying ending though, one that would explain why the ghost is doing what she does. 

The writing style is perfect for young readers and the story the right length to grip their interest without insulting their intelligence. The ARC copy didn't contain illustrations but did have place holders for them to be added in the final edit, all I can say is that if they're anything like the cover then they'll be a great asset to the final book.

I received an early copy of this book from Netgalley and was excited to get into a horror book. I mean, just look at the cover - isn't it screaming spooky ghost story?

Except, turns out this book is for kids. I probably should have researched the author before I requested the book, but I didn't. Unfortunately, nothing in the book synopsis eluded to its age range/ target audience either. And hence, I, an adult, was stuck reading a juvenile book about a couple of kids on a reluctant holiday in a haunted hotel. Sounds like a grand adventure! Somehow, it turned out not to be one.

Jayla and Dion are two, incredibly annoying kids - they're on holiday in a grand old hotel, and all they do is complain. Also, their dad is not father of the year, either. He takes them out of school for an early spring break and then just leaves them to fend for themselves in this hotel. Anything could happen. He has a tough job and honestly should plan his kids' lives better. We are told that their mother left, but we never find out why or understand the impact of such an event on the children.

There is no character development in this book. The entirety of the 40-odd pages is plot driven, but the plot is so thin, it's almost laughable. Most of the book is 'description', told from the perspective of Jayla, but we understand little about why this place is haunted. The big 'twist' in the end, doesn't have a satisfactory conclusion either. We don't know why the ghost behaves the way it does. I kept expecting something/someone sinister to appear, but they never did. The only scene bordering on 'spooky' was thrown in for effect, but had no bearing on the overall story. It is evident the author wrote this book just because he once visited the Stanley Hotel and wanted to make something off his experience. I don't have a problem with that, but at least do a good job of telling a horror story about a haunted hotel!

The ARC didn't include any illustrations, but I doubt even those could save this book from the appalling writing. I get that this is a children's book (very young children, seeing that there are supposed to be illustrations), but even Enid Blyton wrote for kids, and her use of language was more educational than most school textbooks. When reading this book, I felt like my knowledge of the language regressed with every sentence. The only descriptive term used throughout was... 'fancy'. I am not even joking. We are told that this is a fancy hotel, there are fancy chairs, fancy parties, fancy plates and fancy food. I mean, seriously, this is not how you write a book! Even if children actually speak like that, the whole point of a book is to teach them brand new words through entertainment.

I may have been the wrong audience for this book, but I do not feel the author respects his target age group enough to write a book that is engrossing, engaging and entertaining enough to get them hooked onto reading. And what's the point of a book if it doesn't do that?

A little light on the horror and mystery; a very younger audience will find it more enjoyable, and even though I love MG--not being in that age group anymore--even for me this type of MG was too unsubstantial. It has a good, fast pace, but that's about all I can redeem about the novel.

I really enjoyed this short story and read it in one sitting. A good ghost story is always something I’m on the lookout for.

The book centres on a family of a father, daughter and son who come to stay in The Stanley Hotel in Colorado. In room 217.

What’s great is that this is an actual haunted hotel in real life and many paranormal teams and ghost seekers come to stay. Room 217 is particularly popular.

I’ll give no more away but this is really entertaining to read and I enjoyed reading about Kayla and Dion and what they experienced in the old hotel.

It doesn’t have the super creepy factor I live but for me was still a well-written and interesting story. Being a writer of many short stories myself I know it’s hard to engage a reader from start to finish. The author rounded off the story really well. I felt a satisfied reader!

4 stars from me for this ghostly tale.

Thank you to Netgalley and North Star Editions for this ARC in exchange for am honest review

This was short story aimed at middle grade. It was a fun little story and it could honestly be extended to become a novella.

I would be interested in reading future works by Thomas Kingsley Troupe

I really enjoyed this and thought it was perfect for the younger crowd. I loved that the author included some historical facts and that the story was based on true events. The characters were interesting and the story moved at a good pace. This would have been a 5 star for me if the locket had been explained. I would like to read more by this author.

I received a copy of this book for free and voluntarily chose to review. A ghostly mix between Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew. Definitely spooky. Good for young adults and up, great illustrations.

This book was well written and very fun to read. The characters were great and I enjoyed the world building. The author does a great job at introducing the characters and moving the plot along. There were a few things that I didn't like, but it wasn't enough to really sway me one way or the other. It's definitely a story that I can get lost in and both feel for the characters. It is definitely a go-to novel that I highly recommend to anyone who loves a great read. Definitely a highly recommended read that I think everyone will enjoy.

Trapped in room 217 by Thomas Kingsley Troupe.
Jayla Walters and her family are going for spring break early. Her dad has a job up the trails in the rocky mountain national park. It got washed out and they need a crew out there right away. They are in a town called Estes park. They go to stay in the Stanley hotel in room 217. But what they don't realize is it's haunted.  I really enjoyed this book.  I loved the story and the characters.  5*.

I loved this book... primarily because I visited Estes Park -- and the Stanley Hotel -- ages ago and fell in love with it (a love affair which lasts through today). It is, without a doubt, the most charming town and astoundingly beautiful locale I've ever seen, bar non. This book's impact was tremendously enhanced by that locale, and the Stanley most definitely could be viewed as "spooky". Loved the story, and you will, too. Recommended!

Jayla and Dion stay in the Stanley Hotel, Colorado with their dad who is working near there for the week. The first night that they stay in room 217, Jayla wakes up to the room being Icy cold. She sees a woman that looks like a maid, standing in her room. The maid walks over to wall, then to the bed and bends down as if to pick up something. Then she disappears through the door and the room is no longer cold. Dion also saw the ghost, and mentions it to Jayla the next day. They embark on trying to find out who the maid is and why she is trapped in the room. They find out that her name was Elizabeth and worked as a maid in the hotel for most of her life. This book is a short story suitable for younger readers (8 -12) who can read chapter books. It is not too spooky and has an interesting story and based on true events.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for my copy of the book in exchange for my personal review.