It is hard to believe that Halloween is next week! It is the perfect time for a spooky book and today I am sharing one. It is a middle grade book that has creepy dolls, magic, ghosts, and witches. It takes place in Mexico. The book is Lost on Doll Island by Cassandra Ramos-Gomez. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
About the Book:
Rick Riordan meets R. L. Stine in this fast-paced debut middle grade horror packed with adventure about a Mexican American boy who starts hearing the voice of a haunted doll while visiting family in Mexico City.Diego feels trapped. He’s confined in an arm cast, stuck with his tía and tío for a week in Mexico City, and smothered with the sickening fear that he’s the one who really caused his parents’ divorce. But most of all, he’s trapped in his own secret. Because ever since he got to Mexico City, he’s started having strange dreams of a doll calling his name.
Then Diego learns of La Isla de Muñecas, an island full of legendary magic that can make children’s wishes come true. If Diego can harness the power there, maybe he could fix everything that has gone wrong in his life.
So, with the help of two new friends, Diego takes a boat to the legendary island. From the moment the kids step ashore, nothing is as it seems—with dolls disappearing and reappearing in the blink of an eye. Suddenly, Diego is more trapped than ever before, and as the night goes on, he’s not sure he can escape.
From Me:
Diego has been sent to life with his aunt and uncle in Mexico City amongst his parents' divorce. His mother is considering moving back there after the divorce is finalized. Diego feels lost. The city is large and busy. He misses his friends and really misses the Sonic Drive In. He thinks part of the divorce is because his father thinks Diego is too soft and emotional. He feels alone and lost. When he is actually lost, he finds an antique store with an old woman who shares a legend of a wish doll that can be found on the real Isle of Dolls and not the touristy one. She tells him how to get there too. Diego has two friends in Mexico City--the annoying neighbor girl named Itzel and the nerdy neighbor boy named Jandro. Diego stands up to the class bully to protect Jandro and after that they are friends whether Diego wants to be. Diego has a plan to get to the real doll island during the class field trip to the tourist one. Jandro and Itzel do not agree and come up with another plan for the three of them to go. However, as they approach the island the weather turns and there is heavy fog and all cell phone service dies. When they are found by the residents of the island they are forced to stay since it is not safe to leave with the fog. However, the kids do not trust the elderly siblings especially since one is the old woman who told Diego about the wish doll but is acting like she doesn't know him. The three sneak out of the house and start looking for the doll. They have to figure out a way to overcome some safety magic that the siblings have set up. The question becomes will all three of them survive?
This story is perfect for Halloween season. It is completely spooky and creepy. The kids and the reader do not know who to trust in this story. And let's face it an island full of dolls, some missing parts and most dirty, is very creepy. In fact the Doll Island or La Isla de Muñecas does exist. If you look it up, you will see the reviews describing with words like haunting and creepy. The dolls are creepy to think about but then add the magic and the unknown and this book is completely spooky. The story is full of adventure, and it shares a tale of discovering true friendship. I love how Diego begins not liking his new friends too much but by the end realizes what true friendship really is.
This book is perfect for Halloween season, but it also is perfect for the readers who love scary stories or perhaps horror movies. It shares a bit of the culture of Mexico City as well as the actual place. I love how the book shares a scary story but also has lessons about family and friends. By the end of the book Diego realizes his parents' divorce is for the better and he actually is looking forward to his mother coming to Mexico City.
