Book Summary: Amy is visiting her Aunt Clare at a home owned by her great grandparents and discovers an old dollhouse that is an exact replica of the home itself. Every time Amy sees the house the dolls inside the house, who represent her relatives, have moved. Amy keeps telling her aunt that the dolls are trying to tell her something, but her aunt says they are not. Amy begins to research at the local library and soon discovers the family secret which has been hidden for generations. Her grandparents were murdered. Amy’s mentally challenged sister, Louann joins her at her aunt’s house and together they unravel the mystery and Amy begins to accept her sisiter for who she is. My Impressions: This book instantly grabbed my attention and kept my interest in a one sitting read. Although I found it a little scary for the younger reader, I felt that the pacing and characterization were wonderfully done.
Professional Review: Gr 4-7 – Amy arranges to spend a few days alone with her Aunt Clare in the home once owned by her great grandparents. She is particularly relieved to have some time for herself, free of having to care for her retarded sister, Louann. When she discovers an exquisite dollhouse in the attic, an exact replica of the family home, her aunt is unenthusiastic about her find and furious when she sees the placement of the dolls; years ago her grandparents had been murdered and the figures are now where the police found them the night of the crime. She accuses her niece of insensitivity in reproducing the scene, but the girl denies responsibility for moving the dolls. An emergency at home means Louann must also stay at Clare’s and at first Amy is angry at having her plans to be alone shattered, but then the two girls discover the solution to the terrible crime. The comination of a beautiful, fascinating dollhouse, dark family secrets, ghostly events, danger and suspense are sufficient to make this a likely choice for escape reading.
Library Uses: The Dollhouse Murders could be used in a library to allow students to build their own replica dollhouse.
This book could also be used in a genre study to teach elementary students the components of a good mystery novel. This book has the components of realistic characters, the reader is able to follow the clues and make predictions throughout the story, the plot is engrossing. The reader wants to read to the end to find the truth.
Wright, B. (1983). The Dollhouse Murders, New York
Harris, K., & Gerhardt, L.N. (1983). The Dollhouse Murders
[Book Review]. School Library Journal, 30 (3), p84.
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