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Doll Bones

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Doll Bones
by Holly Black
New York, N.Y. : Simon & Schuster, c2013.
244 pages. Chapter Book.

 Zach and his two friends, Alice and Poppy are at a critical crossroads. When Zach's father tosses out all of his childhood toys in an attempt to make him "grow up" this leads to a series of events that ends up shattering the once stable world of all three friends. In desperation, they embark on a final exciting adventure together. All three runaway from home in order to lay to rest one really creepy (and quite possibly haunted) doll named--The Queen.

Though there are many a deliciously creepy moment hidden within the covers of this book, it is not so much a ghost story as it is a tale of three children who must each come to terms with the changes that growing up brings. Written with sensitivity and grace, it is no wonder that this book has received so much well-deserved  buzz as a Newbery contender. It will certainly give the other books that have come out this year a nice run for their money.
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