House of Dolls by Francesca Lia Block
Posted by: Cindy Dobrez and Lynn Rutan
Cindy: Francesca Lia Block writing for middle grade readers about doll houses? Really? But it makes sense, doesn’t it? The maven of magical realism, high fashion, and love is the perfect author for this story that also peeks into the world of how we treat each other. The House of Dolls (Harper, 2010) features Madison Blackberry who lives in a modern high rise but has her grandmother’s dollhouse with gorgeously dressed dolls named Wildflower, Rockstar and Miss Selene.
There were dresses that made the dolls feel like ice-cream sundaes, flowers, seashells, cocoons, butterflies, angels, goddesses, rock stars, heavenly stars, and moons.
Guy (a dark-skinned plastic doll in army fatigues) and B. Friend (a teddy bear) round out the group and Wildflower knew as soon as her arm brushed Guy’s that they should never be separated. As Madison longs for her busy mother’s company and grows tired of playing dolls, the dolls’ fates hang in the balance.
The combination of boredom and jealousy is a dangerous thing. Especially when the person feeling these things is so many times larger than you are.
Madison sends Guy off to war and things go downhill from there until Wildflower figures out a way to set them straight.
Because even though someone is small, her wishes can be big and powerful, especially if the wishes are about love.
One never really grows too old for the appeal of make believe and dolls. This book is for the girls who believe that and especially for those who need convincing.
Lynn: Wow – thanks, Cindy, for getting me to read this! Block packs SO much in this tiny book. Girls, big and small, will adore this for the lovely story and the captivating illustrations by Barbara McClintock. As the grandmother of all boys, I WANT this dollhouse and those dresses – oh my! But under the fashion froth and frills and sweet ending is a lot to think about: the awful ripple effect of pain and jealousy, the innate yearning of a child for a parent’s attention and the impact of that emotional neglect. Hurt begets hurt and a child uses the tools she has at hand. Here is a doll story that packs a punch for our time.
March 31st, 2010 at 11:49 am
Oh my. This just made my day. I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy!
April 4th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Thinks looks fantastic! Can’t wait to read it. I am trying to read more blogs, ladies, but I always come “home” to yours.
April 5th, 2010 at 4:52 am
Nice to hear that we’re a blog home sweet home! – Lynn
May 9th, 2010 at 7:24 am
This looks like an interesting book. I am always looking for new book to add to my growing list of “must reads”