Doll Bones: By Holly Black

     Zach, Alice, and Poppy are best friends.  For years, they have been playing games that take them into their imaginary world of pirates, warriors and mermaids.  Their queen, a bone-china doll, is their 'ruler'.  One day their innocent games seems to take a turn for the worst.  Poppy is having frightening dreams about their beloved queen.  Zach is starting to feel too old for silly games, but will he abandon Poppy in her time of need?

     These three embark on an overnight journey to right this murderous wrong, and meet some strange folk along the way.  They must discover the truth about their China doll, and right the wrong from so many years ago.

     Parents!! You should know that Doll Bones is REALLY creepy/spooky but in a non-violent way.  It is really a story of friendship and learning how to be yourself as you grow up and try to navigate adolescence.   The one most frightening scene involves an unbalanced and awkward  stranger on the bus who wont go away. The story centers on the mysterious death of a girl long ago, and helps each child deal  with difficult family backgrounds, and the loss  of one child's parents.

Prepare to be creeped out!! In a good way :)

Grade Level: 5.4