Doll Bones

By Holly Black, Eliza Wheeler (illustrator),

Book cover of Doll Bones

Book description

My name is Eleanor Kerchner.
You can call me the Queen.
I died in 1895.
Now it's time to play.

A chilling ghost story by the bestselling author of The Spiderwick Chronicles, Holly Black.

Recipient of a Newbery Honor Award. An ALA Notable Book. A Kirkus Reviews Best Book. A…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked Doll Bones as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I have never encountered a story that depicts the dread and heartbreak of growing up more authentically than Black has done in the pages of this Newberry-awarded novel for children.

It is both as brutal and as delicate as the creepy antique doll (which may or may not be haunted) at the center of the story. Three kids head out on their own, determined to lay the spirit trapped within the doll to rest while the all-to-real fears and quiet dangers of their regular lives snap at their heels.

It is a book of loss, acceptance, and courage that will…

Who doesn’t love a creepy doll story, right? And in this book, it’s done perfectly. But even that, what’s most powerful about this story is the journey the group of kids goes through as they try to restore this doll to its proper place and lay it to rest.

So many middle grade books are about that transitional moment from childhood to…something more grown up. That’s very much the case in this book, but we look at that transition and that challenge via this journey to restore the dolls' bones from whence they came. 

Want books like Doll Bones?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 79 books like Doll Bones.

Browse books like Doll Bones

Book cover of A Monster Calls
Book cover of The Last House on Needless Street
Book cover of The Nest

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,351

readers submitted
so far, will you?