Doll Bones by Holly Black

“Everyone has a story,” Alice murmured.  “Everyone’s the hero of their story.  That’s what Ms. Evan’s said in English.”

A ruthless pirate, a daring lady thief, deranged mermaids that demand a sacrifice or else, and a spooky doll, the Queen, that rules over all while locked inside a china cabinet.….  Zach and his friends Poppy and Alice have enjoyed their special world of make-believe adventures since they became friends when they were toddlers.  But now they’re in middle school and the “rules” are changing.  Still, when they’ re together after school, the adventures continue.  Then Zach’s dad decides Zach needs “help” growing up and he takes control.  His actions threaten to not only end the adventures but also tear the friends apart forever.

In what at first seems nothing more that a desperate attempt to save the friendship, Poppy convinces Alice and Zach to go on one last quest. She claims she’s been having dreams.  The ghost of the china doll, the “Queen” has been haunting her, threatening her.  Poppy must return the doll to her rightful resting place, or else.  The three take off on their quest, which quickly becomes a dangerous journey that leads them away from their families and everything familiar.  When strange things start happening the three being to wonder is the doll just doll, is this still make-believe or is their adventure real?

I love this book for a couple of reasons.  First, the adventure, the fantasy of going on a “quest”.  How many of us remember how fun it was to make up magical adventures with our friends? But I also love this book for the changes the characters go through.  They’re growing up and while they aren’t sure how they feel about the changes or how to deal with it, they do realize there's nothing can do to stop it.  This is a great coming of age novel that will lead to much wonderful discussion on so many levels.

As Poppy so eloquently says about growing up:  “I hate that you can do what you’re supposed to do and I can’t.  I hate that you’re going to leave me behind.  I hate that everyone calls it growing up, but it seems like dying.  It feels like each of you is being possessed and I’m next.”