Written by Katherine Marsh, Illustrated by Kelly Murphy
Mary hasn’t had a place to call home. Wanting nothing but to escape from Buffalo Asylum for Young Girls, Mary is thrilled when Madame Z, an elderly woman, adopts her. Her new home is in a village called Iris. This village has more than meets the eye. Despite being filled with magic and razzle-dazzle, something feels off to Mary. As her new mystery of a life unfolds, she discovers that Madame Z is really Baba Yaga-the witch who eats children. Is Baba Yaga the enemy her fairy tale story suggests? Or, is there someone or something else more sinister going on?
Marsh’s writing brings Mary’s world and it’s characters to life in this well-paced novel. The plot is well developed and intense. The rich, layered text adds depth to the story and draws the reader into the story with ease. Fans of fantasy, mystery, and adventure will enjoy reading this book.
Review by Jessica Moody, Olympus Jr. High Media Center
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 4 to 7
Author Website: http://katherinemarsh.com/
Illustrator Website: http://www.kelmurphy.com/
The Door by the Staircase
Written by Katherine Marsh, Illustrated by Kelly Murphy
Disney * Hyperion
273 pages
Release Date: January 5, 2016
Great review, thanks! I’ve put it on my to read list.
This book sounds great. Fantasies are the best reads.
Love a mystery.
Sounds like a good one to get for our library.