For the child who wonders if their secret quirk makes them too different. This book explores the deep need for belonging and the fear of exposure, even for a family of living rag dolls.
A parent might reach for this book when their child feels intensely different, as if they are hiding a secret part of themselves from the world. It tells the story of the Mennyms, a family of life-size rag dolls who live in secret in a human house. Their greatest fear is being discovered. In this second book of the series, a threat forces them to flee their beloved home for an abandoned, remote house, amplifying their collective anxiety. It's a gentle, deeply empathetic fantasy that uses its unique premise to explore belonging, family love, and what it truly means to be real. It’s perfect for sensitive middle grade readers navigating the complexities of their own identity.
The central theme is a deep, existential anxiety about being “other” and the terror of exposure. This is handled metaphorically through the dolls’ unique nature. Their fear of discovery is akin to a fear of annihilation, as it would destroy the only life they know. The approach is secular and philosophical. The resolution is not a final solution but a temporary reprieve, reflecting the realistic nature of managing ongoing anxiety. The tone remains hopeful due to the family's resilience and love for one another.
Ideal Reader
A sensitive, introspective child aged 10 to 13 who feels they are hiding a core part of themselves. This is for the child who worries about being perceived as “weird,” who feels socially awkward, or who is navigating the intense self-consciousness of pre-adolescence and the fear of not fitting in.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold; the premise is established clearly in the early chapters. A parent might want to be prepared to discuss the lack of a perfect, permanent solution. The story is a great starting point for conversations about how we learn to live with our worries and how family can be a safe harbor, even when the outside world feels scary. The parent hears their child say things like, “What if they find out I like this?” or “Everyone would think I’m so weird if they knew.” The child may seem withdrawn or overly concerned with the opinions of their peers, expressing a fear that being their true self will lead to rejection.
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will be captivated by the fantasy and adventure: the cleverness of living dolls, the suspense of their escape, and the spookiness of the new, empty house. An older reader (11-13) will connect more profoundly with the metaphorical weight of the story: the characters' yearning for a “real” life, the philosophical questions about identity, and the intense, relatable anxiety of being an outsider.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many stories about “being different” that focus on a single protagonist, this book explores the theme through a collective, family identity. It masterfully shows how a shared secret can be both a source of immense comfort and a cause of profound, shared stress. The fantasy is quiet, domestic, and character-driven, which makes the emotional stakes feel incredibly grounded and poignant.
Read plot summary
The Mennyms, a family of sentient rag dolls, live a quiet, hidden life at 5 Brocklehurst Grove, pretending to be a reclusive human family. Their carefully constructed reality is shattered when they learn their human landlord plans to sell the house, which would inevitably lead to their discovery. To protect their secret, the entire family packs themselves away and arranges to be moved to a remote, derelict property owned by the same landlord. The story details their frightening journey and their attempts to establish a new, fragile existence in the “wilderness,” all while grappling with heightened fears and individual desires for a more authentic life.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The family calls the new, rundown house 'the wilderness.' In what ways is it a wilderness for them, even if it's not a real forest?
2
Appleby, the teenage Mennym, seems to almost want to be discovered. Why do you think she feels so differently from the rest of her family about their secret?
3
Soobie, the blue Mennym, writes poetry about their existence. Why do you think it's important for him to write these things down, even if the family already knows them?
4
At the end of the book, the Mennyms have found a new home, but their main problem isn't solved. Do you think it's possible for them to ever feel completely safe? What would need to happen?
