Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Orphan girl meets witch in exciting, imaginative tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Years ago, Mary Hayes sneaked out of the house one night to read her precious book of Grimm's fairy tales -- and thus escaped the fire that killed her family. Now 12, she's been in awful orphanages ever since and is determined to escape, but no sooner has her latest attempt been foiled than a mysterious lady arrives in search of a girl to adopt. Swept away in a horse-drawn cart to the house of Madame Z, Mary is soon enjoying better food and greater comfort than she's ever known -- but can't shake the feeling that something's not right, from THE DOOR BY THE STAIRCASE -- always locked -- to unexplained events around the house. Also, Madame Z, while indulgent, isn't exactly maternal. Will Mary's longing for a home and family lead her to certain death or save the day?
Is It Any Good?
A plucky heroine, a lot of magic, and elements from Russian fairy tales add up to an exciting story of danger, mystery, and the power of love and family. Kids who have encountered the firebird, the chicken-legged house, and the scary Baba Yaga in other stories will get a huge kick out of their appearance here, and they'll root for Mary and her friend Jacob as they try to find a real home -- and not get devoured. Kelly Murphy's whimsical illustrations help bring the characters and setting to life. This isn't your ordinary simplistic fairy tale, as both the characters and the situations are a lot more nuanced.
"'Where are you going?' ...
"'Back to you.'
"Madame Z's eyes narrowed. 'And why would you want to do that? You know who I am.'
"Mary wanted to shrink back, but she forced herself to square her shoulders and look the witch straight in the eye.
"'I need your help.'"
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about stories of fairy-tale characters who turn up in the ordinary world and the complications that happen as a result. What other examples do you know? How do they compare to this one?
Do you know any magic tricks? Does this story make you want to learn some new ones?
When do you think it's good to stand up to your fears and face the thing that's scaring you -- and when might it be better to run away?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Kelly Murphy
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic , Fairy Tales ) , Book Characters , Friendship , Animals
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Disney-Hyperion
- Publication date : January 5, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 288
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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