When 12 year old Peter Ambrosia went to sleep in his bed in New Jersey, he didn't expect to wake up in the the Crown Hotel in Manhattan with the name of Peter Constantine. But he did.

Peter's father was an accountant, and had discovered that one of his clients was a thief. Dubbed The Evil Treasure Hunter, the man was also dangerous. To protect Peter's family the police had moved them to the Crown Hotel. Peter's father was now a superintendent and worked at the hotel. His mother worked part-time in the laundry. Peter was to be home schooled. A number of major changes for them all. But...

The Crown has it's own magic. It is a world of its own. People live in luxury full time and as just occasional guests. Peter finds friends among other families that work at the hotel. There is Joey (Josephine) whose mother works in the bakery. She introduces him to others who work at the hotel and life within the walls of the Crown.

Peter also meets a number of guests and is taken under their wings, learning magic, boxing and etiquette. He also is befriended by a ghost who lives at the hotel and explains why Peter feels such attachment to the hotel.

I enjoyed Janney's writing. I felt like the hotel was like those you read about and see in the old movies. People coming and going, with staff on hand to make life luxurious. Meanwhile, Peter is a boy who does know right from wrong and is loyal to his friends.

I see there is a second book and I know I will be reading it. ( )