Doll Bones

Doll Bones

Holly Black

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 9781416963981
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Date of publication: May 7, 2013
Age: Grades 5 - 9
Genre: Mystery

Themes: Dolls, journey, growing up

Awards: Newbery Honor (2014), Carnegie Medal Nominee for Young Adult (2014)

Zach, Poppy, and Alice are the best of friends, and they love playing make-believe with their dolls and action figures. But now they’re in middle school, and Zach’s dad wants him to grow up, leaving the make-believe behind. Poppy, however, says it can’t end: the Queen, an antique bone-china doll, is haunting her dreams. A ghost of a girl is somehow linked to the doll, and will not rest until the doll is buried in her grave. The three of them set out on one last adventure, but things keep going horribly wrong.

With just the right amount of creepy factor, this is a rather fantastic adventure book. The characters are amazing; the three main ones being so well developed, they feel real.  The story was a good one, based on just enough truth that the ghost aspect seemed plausible. Really, I think you should read it, especially if you love a good (as in clean) ghost story.