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hoops_literary_library_life's review against another edition
4.0
Cute read. Very reminiscent of 'The Borrowers' and 'Toy Story'.
hannahleereads's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
addiehoseck's review against another edition
5.0
I just remembered this book exists. It was the best book I read in elementary school
grubbyfeet's review against another edition
4.0
Very cute idea and well written book! My mom got it for Elena to read, but we both read it too, and it was great!
_janellealexa's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
girlhood!! this book is so girlhood coded! A family of dolls passed through four generations of women. A doll who is bored with her routine life and yearns for adventure. A doll who is a scientist and longs to discover the outside world. Finding an unexpected best friend. Learning to be brave and do things that might seem scary. I'm glad I had this book when I was young and I'm glad to have registered to it now at 25.
mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
3.0
The Meanest Doll in the World, the sequel to The Doll People, is the one the oldest books on my bookshelf. I no longer recall how I acquired it, but at the time I was unaware it was a sequel. So while I read that book several times over the course of my childhood it was only years later when I’d grown out of the primary demographic that I picked up The Doll People. As such I did not have the same fondness for it that I had when re-reading The Meanest Doll in the World.
Nevertheless, The Doll People still a bit of charm to see it through.
Annabelle Doll is part of doll set made in the 1800s passed down the generations of one family. She and her family are currently the property of eight year old Kate Palmer, the granddaughter of their first owner. Annabelle is filled with ennui that her family does not understand, further cementing the feeling. The arrival of the Funcrafts - a plastic doll family for Kate’s younger sister Nora - proves to be just what she needs.
The dolls are able to move around freely, but they are held to doll code. If a doll ever does something that risks dollkind then a doll will be forced into doll state which is the inability to move or talk for a period of 24 hours. Depending on temperament it is not uncommon for dolls to end up in doll state as it does not take much to accidentally move or be overheard talking. The real fear is the fabled permanent doll state. It is exceedingly rare - if it exists at all.
There are a few stories about random happenings in the life of the dolls, but the majority of it is taken up by this mystery about what happened to Annabelle’s Aunt Sarah. Aunt Sarah disappeared without a trace forty or so years ago. Annabelle finds her secret journal reigniting Annabelle’s desire to find out where she went. Tiffany Funcraft, a doll Annabelle’s age, is her partner in crime in her pursuits.
I am way outside of the age range and unlike some other middle grade books I definitely felt every single one of those years acutely. This is definitely lower middle grade, basically a chapter book when it comes down to it. The characters are pretty underdeveloped, not much happens, and frankly the world of the house could have used some more detail.
The book is cute. I needed something light, The Doll People provided that. It’s a quick read so it doesn’t have time to overstay its welcome. I think it could have been stronger, however, it’s clear what Ann M. Martin wanted for her story and she certainly achieved it. As an adult, if you’ve never read this before I hesitate to tell you to. Without that added nostalgia factor or an overwhelming love for the genre I’d say let it alone. If it’s for a kid, go nuts.
Nevertheless, The Doll People still a bit of charm to see it through.
Annabelle Doll is part of doll set made in the 1800s passed down the generations of one family. She and her family are currently the property of eight year old Kate Palmer, the granddaughter of their first owner. Annabelle is filled with ennui that her family does not understand, further cementing the feeling. The arrival of the Funcrafts - a plastic doll family for Kate’s younger sister Nora - proves to be just what she needs.
The dolls are able to move around freely, but they are held to doll code. If a doll ever does something that risks dollkind then a doll will be forced into doll state which is the inability to move or talk for a period of 24 hours. Depending on temperament it is not uncommon for dolls to end up in doll state as it does not take much to accidentally move or be overheard talking. The real fear is the fabled permanent doll state. It is exceedingly rare - if it exists at all.
There are a few stories about random happenings in the life of the dolls, but the majority of it is taken up by this mystery about what happened to Annabelle’s Aunt Sarah. Aunt Sarah disappeared without a trace forty or so years ago. Annabelle finds her secret journal reigniting Annabelle’s desire to find out where she went. Tiffany Funcraft, a doll Annabelle’s age, is her partner in crime in her pursuits.
I am way outside of the age range and unlike some other middle grade books I definitely felt every single one of those years acutely. This is definitely lower middle grade, basically a chapter book when it comes down to it. The characters are pretty underdeveloped, not much happens, and frankly the world of the house could have used some more detail.
The book is cute. I needed something light, The Doll People provided that. It’s a quick read so it doesn’t have time to overstay its welcome. I think it could have been stronger, however, it’s clear what Ann M. Martin wanted for her story and she certainly achieved it. As an adult, if you’ve never read this before I hesitate to tell you to. Without that added nostalgia factor or an overwhelming love for the genre I’d say let it alone. If it’s for a kid, go nuts.
meredith_mccaskey's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
I read this book when I was a kid and now I read it out loud to my own kids ages 9 and 6. They both enjoyed it!
jerr13's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0