Frankenstein Moved in on the Fourth Floor

Bamford Brothers #1

by Elizabeth Levy, Mordicai Gerstein (Illustrator)

"The new neighbor is weird," Sam whispers to Robert. "He could be the real Frankenstein." So Sam and Robert decide to spy on their strange, scowling neighbor, Mr. Frank. First they list the evidence they already Mr. Frank is pale and thin. Moans and groans have been heard coming from his apartment. It's not much to go on. Then, one night, the lights in the whole building go out. Will Sam and Robert finally learn the spooky truth?

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Mystery, Halloween, Chapter Books

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Elizabeth Levy has been writing and publishing books for over thirty years and sometimes now she meets kids whose parents read her books when they were children! She has written over 80 books, a number that continues to surprise her, as it surprises her how long she's been at it.

Over the years they've printed lots of her books - over five million of them.

She loves to try writing different types of books - everything from funny mysteries to novels about kids who get in trouble to history.

One of the most pleasant surprises about writing is that she's been invited to travel all over the country and even the world speaking to children, teachers, and librarians. She's made some wonderful friendships and gotten lots of ideas for her books. One of the most special treats is that kids have drawn wonderful pictures of one of her favorite characters, Fletcher.

She grew up in Buffalo, New York, then went to Brown University, where she majored in history. When she graduated, she came to New York City and worked for ABC-TV and then for Senator Robert Kennedy. She has lived in New York ever since, and she loves it. She knows all the best places for salami, she has run four marathons, and she has completed many 5-borough bike tours, so she thinks she really knows this place well.

At certain times of the year, she can be found out at Shea Stadium watching her team, the New York Mets. She has always loved baseball.

Mostly she enjoys hanging out with her friends. They spend lots of time going to movies or plays, playing sports, having meals together.

When she's alone and not writing, she is usually reading. She reads mysteries a lot, always has, which is probably why many of her books are mysteries.

Reviews

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book in the world in third grade. One day back then I decided to pretend that all my books were actually videocassettes. I wrote "For Rental" on the inside cover of all my books with a thin orange marker. I then attempted to engage my younger brother in a lively game of "Video Store", encouraging him to select one of my books and give me a red or black checker in exchange for the rental of the "video". Most books cost one black checker, but the really good ones, such as "Frankenstein Moved in on the Fourth Floor", cost one red checker.

My brother had virtually no interest in the game, and I had defaced my entire library for nothing.

[Emmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this on the dollar cart at my local used book store, and thought it would be a fun little read. It was actually really fun, a clever story that read very much like a precursor to the The Bailey School Kids books where each volume features some sort of adult who may or may not be a monster. All in all, it was a cute, and interesting book, and it looks like it might be a series, so I'm curious to see what that entails.

[Randy Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this so many years ago, and I still have warm feelings when I think about it, which is a sign of a great book. I love the interplay of the perspectives of the young main characters imagination and of my own which is to think of a "rational" explanation. This was my first Elizabeth Levy book, and I was hooked. Read it with your kids and grandkids! Enjoy.

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, it is a children's book, but I love Frankenstein and had to check it out. Entertaining, but a very quick read.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the closest thing to monster stories I'll get are books like this, directed to children...

And it's october. Spooky month

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book for young kids.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 3 out of 5]

My love of reading started when i was young, and it gives me immense pleasure to provide books to Spread the Word Nevada, an organization that passes them on to children in the community. They are a terrific organization supporting an important cause. If your local I encourage you to check them out. For those living further a field, look in your own community, their may already be a similar program in place. And if not, you can always help start on.

http://spreadthewordnevada.org/

Myself, I go out on the weekends and
shop thrift store and bulk book lots to rescue books and donate them. Sometimes I'll find a book I remember reading when I was young and will read it again before passing it on.

I don't rate these books using my normal scale, instead I give most of them three stars. This isn't a Criticism of the book, simply my way of rating them as good for children.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate to have a parent who instilled the love of reading early on in my life and also let me spend money on books when the Scholastic flyers were sent home. When I was in 3rd grade, this was one of my favorite books- so much that I've never forgotten it.

I happened to find a copy a few days ago and happily purchased it for far less than I would have paid for it- treasure is treasure! I smiled as I re-read this book for the first time in over 30 years. My memory of it has not diminished.

Books are life!

[Jeff Flotta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in the 90's in third grade. I was an anti-reader back then but read this book more than once because I liked it so much. Fast-forward 20+ years: I just bought a copy for myself I mean my son.

[Eric Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My seven-year-old and I enjoyed this. You can tell the book is from the 70s because at the end, no adult explains what's going on to the kids. The story is pretty good, and the illustrations are superb.

[Cws]

JEAR3-Lev

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book.There definitly is a weird ending.I would think this is a series but I dont know.I do recommend this book.

[Jason Gillespie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still love this book.....bought another copy ...... I read it while in grade school at Homecroft Elementary in St. Paul.....and i still love the illustrations in the book. Great memories.

[Robert Garibay · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites as a kid.