Don’t Let the Doll In

Gr 3-5–If you visited a store called Frightville, purchased a doll, and received the ominous warning to recite a special rhyme before bed every night, wouldn’t you follow that advice? Fifth grader Mara does not heed the warning, and she soon faces the horrible consequences. Mara and her mom have just designed a fabulous dollhouse, and she needs a doll to live in her new home. She finds the perfect doll, Charlotte, at the new shop in town. After getting Charlotte settled, Mara wakes up one night and realizes a piece of her hair has been cut off. Could her new doll be responsible? A few nights later, Mara is horrified to discover that she has somehow switched places with Charlotte and is trapped in the dollhouse. The plot is fast paced and perfect for reluctant readers. Nothing deep here; just fun, slightly shivery scares. A very satisfying twist at the end will hook readers to read more in the series.