A parent might reach for this book when their child feels overshadowed by a sibling's talents and is struggling with their own sense of worth. Hollow Dolls tells the story of Simone, whose sister Tatiana has the magical ability to create dolls that contain a sliver of a person's soul. Simone, who has no magic of her own, has always felt ordinary in comparison. But when Tatiana vanishes and her dolls become menacing, it's up to Simone to use her own unique skills of observation and bravery to save her sister. This fantasy adventure is perfect for readers 9-12, as it thoughtfully explores themes of sibling rivalry, self-acceptance, and the idea that everyone has their own kind of magic. It's an excellent choice to spark conversations about jealousy and finding confidence in one's own strengths.
Characters face danger from a magical villain and menacing dolls. It is typical for the fantasy genre.
Sad ThemesMild
The story deals with strong feelings of sibling jealousy, loneliness, and inadequacy.
Sensitive Topics
The core sensitive concept is the theft of a person's soul or shadow, which is handled metaphorically. It represents a loss of self, will, and vitality. The approach is entirely fantastical and not tied to any religious belief. The peril is real but age-appropriate for middle grade. The resolution is hopeful, reaffirming family bonds and individual self-worth.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a child aged 9 to 11 who feels like the "normal" one in a family or friend group, especially if they have a sibling who gets a lot of attention for a specific talent. This book is for the quiet observer who needs to see that their own skills are just as valuable as more flashy ones.
Parent Prep
Parents may want to preview the chapters where the dolls begin to turn malevolent and steal shadows. For a sensitive reader, the descriptions of the hollowed, soulless people could be frightening. The book can be read cold, as the magical world is well-explained, but a quick chat about how jealousy is a normal feeling might be a helpful primer. A parent has just heard their child say, "My sister is good at everything and I'm good at nothing," or has noticed their child seems withdrawn and is struggling with feelings of jealousy or low self-worth in comparison to a peer or sibling.
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will likely focus on the adventure, the creepy magic, and the mystery of Tatiana's disappearance. An older reader (11-12) will connect more deeply with Simone's internal struggle, understanding the nuances of her jealousy and the metaphorical weight of the "hollow" dolls. They will appreciate the theme of finding strength in ordinary skills.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many middle-grade fantasies centered on a "chosen one" with innate powers, this book's protagonist is explicitly non-magical. Its unique strength is in championing the abilities of an ordinary person, like logic, observation, and courage, proving they can be just as powerful as magic. This makes it particularly empowering for children who feel average.
Read plot summary
Simone lives in the shadow of her older sister, Tatiana, who can craft magical dolls that contain a piece of the owner's soul, bringing them comfort. Simone, lacking any magic herself, feels plain and overlooked. When Tatiana is kidnapped by a mysterious figure who wants to exploit her power, the dolls she left behind become hollow and dangerous, stealing the shadows of their owners. Simone must rely on her own non-magical skills, like bravery and careful observation, to follow the clues, face a powerful magic-wielder, and rescue her sister.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
At the start of the book, Simone is jealous of Tatiana's magic. How do her feelings about her own non-magical skills change by the end of the story?
2
The villain, the Great Rzhen, believed magic was the only thing that made people special. How does Simone prove him wrong?
3
Tatiana put a piece of a person's soul into her dolls to comfort them. What are the potential dangers of giving a piece of yourself away, even with good intentions?
4
If you could have a doll made with a sliver of your soul, would you want one? Why or why not?
