About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is standing on the shaky ground between childhood and adolescence, particularly if they are struggling with the pressure to grow up or give up their hobbies. It explores the bittersweet transition where toys are set aside but the need for imagination remains. The story follows three friends who embark on a spooky quest to bury a bone-china doll that may or may not be haunted by a ghost. Beyond the ghost story, it is a deeply moving look at how friendships change in middle school, how to handle parental expectations, and how to find closure when a phase of life ends. It is perfect for 10 to 14 year olds who enjoy a chilling atmosphere but need a story grounded in real emotional truth.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
DISTRESS: There is a scene where Zach's father throws away his beloved toys without permission, which can be emotionally distressing for children who value their creative outlets. The 'Great Queen' doll is described in eerie, unsettling detail (made of human bone ash), and there are moments of psychological horror, such as the doll appearing to move or watch the children. CONVERSATION: Parents should be prepared to discuss the ethics of the children lying to their parents and running away overnight. There is also a brief mention of the dead girl's tragic history (Eleanor Kerchner), which involves her being neglected and dying young; parents might need to provide space for sadness regarding her backstory.
Ideal Reader
A 12-year-old who feels like they are being forced to grow up too fast or who is worried about their friend group drifting apart as they enter middle school.
Parent Prep
Read the chapter where the children are on the bus and meet a strange, potentially threatening adult. It’s a good moment to discuss 'stranger danger' in a nuanced, real-world context. The moment Zach discovers his father has discarded his toys is a heart-wrenching depiction of a parent unintentionally crushing a child's spirit and creativity.
Age Experience
Younger readers (10) will focus on the 'is it haunted?' mystery and the spooky atmosphere. Older readers (13-14) will likely resonate more with the internal conflict of identity and the social pressure to appear mature.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many horror novels for this age group, the 'ghost' is secondary to the psychological horror of growing up. It treats the imagination of children with immense respect rather than as something to be 'cured.'
Read plot summary
Zach, Alice, and Poppy have played a complex make-believe game for years, centered around a bone-china doll called the Great Queen. When Zach’s father throws away his action figures to force him to 'grow up,' Zach quits the game without telling his friends the real reason. Poppy claims the Queen is haunted by the ghost of a dead girl named Eleanor who demands a proper burial. The trio sneaks away on a cross-country bike trip to find the grave. Along the way, they confront creepy occurrences, the fear of losing their friendship, and the painful reality of aging out of childhood.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Zach's father thinks he is helping Zach grow up by throwing away his toys. Do you think there is a right or wrong way to grow up?
2
Poppy, Zach, and Alice all see the Great Queen differently. Is the doll actually haunted, or is their imagination just that powerful? What evidence supports your theory?
3
Why did Zach find it so hard to tell Alice and Poppy why he really stopped playing the game?
4
At the end of the book, the characters realize their friendship will never be the same. Is that a bad thing, or just a part of life?
5
Eleanor's story is quite sad. How does learning her history change the way the friends feel about their mission?
