One-Eyed Doll

Reviewed by: Carla McAllister - New Gloucester Public Library, New Gloucester, Maine, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 8, 2015

Review

This is a tale about a one-eyed doll that is found buried in a box behind a falling down house in town referred to as "that old place." All the children in town have been warned to stay away from there, but Malik's little sister Tiana, whom he is supposed to look out for, hears an odd voice calling to her from behind that house saying "Let me out." She finds the box in the earth, and it is locked and nailed shut and very hard to open. Within is a one-eyed doll that Tiana instantly loves, but the doll, which she names Selena, is not at all what she seems. Malik finds himself in an unenviable position and he must figure out how to put things to rights. The illustrations are shades of black, white, and gray and the text is decidedly frightening. There is rain, thunder, lightning, creaking and, of course, the kids have a black cat named Midnight with extraordinary senses of his own. Some children might find this story a bit too scary, but some will relish every moment.

Overall Book Score: good