The Winter of the Dollhouse

Newbery Medalist Schlitz (Splendors and Glooms) braids parallel story lines into a cozy fantasy that lauds the power of connection to uplift and inspire. Feeling lonely as the oldest of three in a house run by quarreling parents, Tiph allies with elderly newcomer Szilvia, who lives alone with a cat and dog. After Tiph helps Szilvia find her footing following a slip, the woman offers the tween a job as an official dog walker and kitty-litter cleaner. Tiph jumps at the opportunity, hoping to earn enough funds to purchase Gretel, the “perfect dollhouse doll,” from the local toy shop. Gretel, in turn, relishes the thought of being bought by Tiph, which the author depicts via alternating chapters that follow both child and the personified doll. As Tiph navigates an emotionally complicated relationship with her stepmother and learns to manage both her burgeoning independence and troubles with impulse control, Gretel embarks on a whimsical, fairy tale–inflected quest—reminiscent of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland—to make her dream of living with Tiph reality. Szilvia’s loving efforts to restore a decades-old dollhouse built by her father smoothly reflect the palpable care and tenderness of Schlitz’s offering. Intricately detailed and nuanced characters, relatable domestic scenes with emotional heft, and evocative writing make for an enchanting, gratifying read. The protagonists cue as white. Ages 9–12. Agent: Stephen Barbara, InkWell Management. (Sept.)