Secret of Platform 13 (Paperback)

If I asked what a "gump" was, would I get this answer: A mound with a single hidden door and every nine or so years the door opens and leads through a tunnel to a completely different world? I wouldn't think so, not today at least. Today, a gump is a made up word. If one thinks of a gump as what it really is, would it be an illusion? Something in story books? A dream? A childish fantasy? Actually, no. Once, a gump was a well-known word and was never, ever, left out of a dictionary. In The Secret of Platform 13, the gump is passage way to an magical kingdom where creative minds are set free...
Located in one of London's busiest train stations, Platform 13 is no longer in use. Behind the platform, is a gump. Inside the gump is mystical island full of imaginative creatures only found on the island. The queen and king of the island have a slight problem. Their son, the prince, has been kidnapped by a ghastly women named Mrs. Larina Trottle years ago. Mrs. Trottle is more than just a beastly woman. She is an overfed, extremely wealthy, pampered, I-get-what-I-want kind of woman. Not only do the rescuers need to outwit Mrs. Trottle, they must find the prince and persuade him that his pampered, rich life, will soon be better if only he would return home to the island. Now, the gump is open and a hag, an ogre, a fey, and a wizard set out on a dangerous journey to retrieve the kidnapped prince. Mrs. Trottle's son, is known as Raymond Huntington Trottle. Could he be the prince? The islanders think so. Mrs. Trottle returned with Raymond and the kitchen boy after fleeing to Switzerland to keep herself from being caught with a kidnapper. The problem is, for nine years Raymond had been living with Mrs. Trottle. Surely, he would be attached to his mother by now.
Ben, the kitchen boy, understands the magic brought by the rescuers. He is determined to help have Raymond brought back to the island. The rescuers try many things to persuade Raymond to come with them. They talk to him and even try performing a magic show. Raymond is stubborn and not at all impressed. However, when the rescuers tell him he is the prince of a secret island, he changes his mind and decides to go with them. However, Raymond first Raymond tells Mrs. Trottle the entire story. She is convinced that he was drugged into believing he was a prince of some sort, so that he could be kidnapped. Though Mrs. Trottle is not particularly smart, when it comes to her son, she will do anything to keep him safe. She and Raymond flee once again, but this time it is not known where. Will the rescuers find the hideout and bring the prince home before the gump closes?
The Secret of Platform 13 is a truly unique book that will intrigue imaginative readers. The creative story of how a hag, wizard, fey, and ogre attempt to save the young prince of an island is sure to appeal to a person of almost any age. Mystery, fantasy, and adventure are just a few of the enjoyable elements of this story. The witty rescuers are caring characters with enchanting imaginations. They come up with all sorts of ideas to save the prince, many of which are completely unsuccessful. However, many people have heard that first impressions are usually quite reliable. In this case, one never knows.
Fans of Harry Potter may particularly enjoy this book, because there are some intriguing similarities.

"Ibbotson's lively fantasy is full of fun...[Readers] will be delighted by the adventure." - School Library Journal

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year