A chilling ghost story from the bestselling author of the Spiderwick Chronicks by Holly Black, and it was published May 7th, 2013.

Zach: He is 12 yrs old. He is a basketball star in Middle School, Zach's character in the Game is a pirate named "William the Blade"
(His dad returns after 3 years of absences, and his dad is trying to give him orders, and he is having a hard time accepting his dad's orders)

Alice: Exact age not specific. An orphan and "early bloomer" who lives with her grandmother, Alice's character in the Game is daring thief "Lady Jaye".
(Her parents are death)

Poppy: Exact age not specified. Poppy usually plays the villains including the Great Queen.
(Her parents work all day and get home late)

Eleanor: A young girl who died. Her father, Lucas, cremated her body and used her bones to make a bone porcelain doll (aka the "Great Queen"). Eleanor's ashes are located in the body of the doll.

Gendres Literary Fiction, Horror, Mystery/Thriller

Zach, Poppy, and Alice have been friends forever. And for almost as long, they've been playing one continuous, ever-changing game of pirates and thieves, mermaids and warriors. Ruling over all is the Great Queen, a bone-china doll cursing those who displease her.

But they are in middle school now. Zach's father pushes him to give up make-believe, and Zach quits the game. Their friendship might be over, until Poppy declares she's been having dreams about the Queen - and the ghost of a girl who will not rest until the bone-china doll is buried in her empty grave.

Zach, Alice and Poppy set off on one last adventure to lay the Queen's ghost to rest. But nothing goes according to plan, and as their adventure turns into an epic journey, creepy things begin to happen.

But in the end they bury the doll and then walk to meet their respective guardians at the gate to the cemetery while promising to one another to keep the Story alive.
or meaning to keep their friendship alive.

The themes of friendship and the transition from childhood to adolescence is an ongoing theme throughout Doll Bones.















Popy is upset that her friends are growing up and possibly apart from her. So she gives voice to a fear that so many children feel but are unable to verbalize on their own. “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.”
Pair that line with one earlier concerning Zach. “He wondered whether growing up was learning that most stories turned out to be lies.”

The doll symbolizes love. The doll was made by Eleanor's dad because he loved her and wanted to keep her close to him that is why he placed Eleanor's bones inside the doll.

The action figures symbolizes unity, friendship, love, and loyalty.
The actions figures were the reason why they were united playing together.

The willow tree symbolizes Eleanor's beauty and innocence.


The graveyard symbolizes Eleanor's home because is where she wants to be bury.

Art

Another idea that I think would be fun for students is to create their own doll with recycled materials, since they are being introduced to the world of doll making.


We know the doll in the book was made from bone, but dolls can actually be made from a large
array of materials, and I think recycled materials are the best choice for this activity because they are inexpensive.

In middle school they tend to set aside art, so I think it could be a good idea.

In that way students will use their creativity and take a break from regular activities.

I compare Doll Bones to The Graveyard Book because both books share unsupervised youths, death, friendship, ghost and spirits.