"Scary dolls that multiply. A sinister magician. And an understated but moving subtext about how young people deal with grief. Put it on your list." —Stephen King

Author of GHOST GIRL and THIS APPEARING HOUSE Ally Malinenko brings to life a terrifying middle grade novel about a girl learning to grieve her grandfather and the creepy antique dolls in his house that seem to come alive, perfect for fans of THE DOLL IN THE GARDEN

One. Two. Three. Are you ready to play?

Ever since Kaye's grandfather died, she's been obsessed with counting things: the steps to her bedroom, the dolls on her sister's bed, even the threads on her favorite blanket. It's arithmomania, and with the selective mutism that sometimes prevents her from speaking, she literally can't find the words to talk about how she feels now that Grampa is gone. When they take the summer to clean out and renovate his old house, Kaye finds herself counting the days.

That is, until her younger sister, Holly, starts finding dolls. She finds them buried in the backyard, stuffed in the walls, crammed into the closets. From the first one, Kaye knows they aren't like normal dolls. They smile at her like they know something, and sometimes their eyes open and close on their own. Kaye hears her sister talking to them constantly—and she swears she's heard the dolls whispering back.

Everyone assumes that Holly's just a kid with a good imagination. Kaye doesn't think it's a game, because she knows that Holly—and the dolls—are going to make her play with them. Forever.

Rights sold:

USA: Harper Children’s (NA); Poland: Nowa Baśń

Reviews:

"Scary dolls that multiply. A sinister magician. And an understated but moving subtext about how young people deal with grief. Put it on your list." —Stephen King

“This thoughtful, profoundly compassionate exploration of anxiety and grief also serves up some serious scares. Malinenko portrays Kaye’s emotional journey in a way that feels real, relatable, and resonant, without ever sacrificing the story’s suspense. A perfect pick for fans of Katherine Arden’s SMALL SPACES and Lindsay Currie’s WHAT LIVES IN THE WOODS.” —Booklist

“Readers will find themselves checking under their beds, while also rooting for the likable Kaye and her quest to save her sister. The depiction of Kaye’s grief and anxiety is a realistic portrait of someone struggling to find themselves in the midst of a loss. A heartfelt story of a young girl trying to navigate her mental health struggles that is also a fast-paced, creepy tale just in time for spooky season.” —School Library Journal

“The dolls’ increasing aggression creates wonderful (and non-gory) scares… the climax gives young readers a blood-free taste of body horror, and a final stinger keeps the chills alive. Solid scares elevated by psychological richness.” —Kirkus Reviews

"Creepy dolls! Creepy puppets! Creepy magicians! If that were all this book had, it would still be a delight—but Broken Dolls reaches further. This is a story about grief and guilt, and is both tender and terrifying in equal measure. Ally Malinenko's work knows that scary stories can do so much more than just scare us (though scare you, this will)." —Chuck Wendig, author of Monster Movie! and the New York Times bestseller, Dust & Grim

"Broken Dolls brilliantly blends all the spooky, creepy fun that kids love with deeper thoughts about what it means to live after loss." —Samantha M. Clark, author of The Boy, The Boat, and The Beast

"Hauntingly brilliant and so creepy it kept me up at night! I will never ever look at dolls the same way again!" —Daka Hermon, author of Nightmare King

"Ally Malinenko writes a deliciously creepy story—eerie traveling carnivals! moving dolls!—but it’s her insight into her characters’ hearts that brings the whole thing to life. This book is a magic spell of fear, grief, courage, and love." —Jacqueline West, New York Times bestselling author of The Books of Elsewhere and Long Lost

"A chilling, heart-racing story where the horror creeps up on you like a shadow. It's perfect for readers who crave suspense, supernatural thrills, and emotional depth. This book is more than just spooky—it’s a journey through the scariest parts of ourselves, and the strength it takes to face them."  —Shakirah Bourne, author of Beware the Heartman

"With its realistic and loveable characters, as well as its many twists and turns, Broken Dolls is everything I could ever need in middle grade horror. What I loved most, though, is that this story had the perfect balance of heart and scares that Ally Malinenko is known for. (Now please excuse me while I check my backyard for doll parts...)" —Lorien Lawrence, author of the Fright Watch series