Overview

From Hispanic author Hailey Alcaraz, this historical tale of arson, sleuthing, and finding friendship in unlikely places is based on the real Hotel Adams fire of 1910. It's up to two Latina girls to turn their knack for being overlooked and underestimated into their greatest strength as they unravel a complex web of suspects, clues, and motives. Ruth and Luisa live very different lives within the dusty desert town of Phoenix. Ruth is the only child of a political official. She spends her days stuffed into scratchy dresses and smiling prettily in the ballrooms of the Hotel Adams. Luisa is a young housekeeper. She looks at the Persian rug and thinks, I also know what it feels like to be walked over, barely noticed, and covered in other people's dirt. The girls stumble into a partnership when they overhear a plan to set fire to the hotel, a political hot spot for the growing western town. As they race to figure out who is behind the plot--and how to stop them--they must not only overcome what other people expect from them but what they've grown to expect from themselves. Part of the Own Voices historical series American Stories for Gutsy Girls Five Days at the Hotel Adams . . . Transports children into the past with a compelling story full of secrets, subterfuge, and sisterhood; Encourages tweens to look for friends in unexpected places; Is perfect for fans of Pam Muñoz Ryan and Erin Entrada Kelly; and Includes black-and-white illustrations. Enjoy this fast-paced adventure story in which two girls race against the clock to stop a crime as they learn that good always comes from trying your best--even if the outcome is the last thing you expected.

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9781400256068

Table of Contents

Reviews

As a Latina librarian who was born and raised in the Southwest, I really resonated with Five Days at the Hotel Adams. This novel is a compelling read for school-aged children that takes an honest look at living in Arizona as a young woman during the early twentieth century. The book is rich with cultural authenticity and teeming with suspense, and Alcaraz has a knack not only for storytelling but for empowering future generations. * Katherine Silva, librarian, Chandler, AZ * Five Days at the Hotel Adams is a heartwarming, twist-filled mystery that shines with courage, curiosity, and the power of unlikely friendship. Ruth and Luisa's bond despite their differences is inspiring, and the story opens a fascinating window into a moment in American history I'd never encountered before. A delightful, meaningful adventure for young readers. * Stephanie Morrill, author of the Piper Sail Mysteries * A wonderfully engaging school-aged historical fiction novel, ideal for any public library collection. Five Days at the Hotel Adams is the perfect mix of friendship, mystery, and fun. As a native Arizonan, not only was I tickled with the adventures of Ru and amp; Lu, but also extremely impressed with author Hailey Alcraraz's historical accuracy and authenticity. A must-read for any classroom, a story that not only empowers the reader, but proves that the more things change, the more they stay the same. * Christopher McGinley, librarian, Chandler, AZ * Curiosity and a refusal to be limited by society's stifling expectations unites two spunky girls in this fast-paced mystery brimming with authentic Arizona history. * Jessica Vitalis, award-winning author of Coyote Queen and Unsinkable Cayenne * Fueled by a corazonada (a nagging sense) and an overheard hint of an arson plot, tween sleuths team up to unravel clues and smoke out a suspect before the hotel ignites. Set in 1910 Phoenix, this blazingly fast-paced middle-grade historical mystery examines who gets seen and whose voices count. Once again, Hailey Alcaraz centers the perspectives of those history too often overlooks. * Julie Majercak, multilingual learners educator * Hailey Alcaraz has written a page-turner that makes you want to guess the mystery until the very end. A very fun read for historical fiction lovers! * Mitch Berman, Librarian, Phoenix, AZ * Hailey Alcaraz's middle-grade debut is an engrossing mystery that showcases cultures and history in Arizona that are often overlooked. This must-read story of friendship inspires tenacity and spunk against the backdrop of a tumultuous and pivotal time in Arizona's history. * Laura Sharp, owner of Literally, a Bookshop, Gilbert, AZ * Unputdownable! Historical yet urgent in its storytelling. We follow two bold girls as they sleuth out a mystery and, in the process, uncover truths about injustice, friendship, and family that are as relevant today as they were then. * Maria Marianayagam, award-winning author of No Purchase Necessary * When two bright and curious girls in 1910 Phoenix form an unlikely friendship to solve a mystery, readers discover a story that sparkles with sleuthing, laughter and plenty of heart as Ruth and Luisa learn to trust themselves, each other and the unique gifts they each have to offer to the world. * Maureen McQuerry, author of Between Before and After *

Author Information

Hailey Alcaraz began her writing career in the sixth grade as a kid reporter for Time for Kids magazine, and has been addicted to storytelling ever since. Born in California and raised in Arizona, she’s a Southwest girl through and through who loves stories about fellow multicultural girls finding their way in the world. Hailey is the author of the young adult novels Up in Flames and Rosa, By Any Other Name. She currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with her husband, two daughters, and a precocious German Shepherd. Connect with her online at haileyalcaraz.com and @alcarazbooks on social. Alisha Monnin was born and raised in the rural US in a small village where distance is measured by cornfields. Growing up, she was a voracious reader and daydreamed about going on magical adventures. As an adult, she still spends her days daydreaming and reading, but now her imagination is funneled into her artwork. She graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and now resides in Cincinnati, Ohio with her Manx cat named Beignet.

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