I believe that any book that introduces another facet to a heartbreakingly tragic time in history is important. I like the way that The Dollmaker of Krakow does not go into detail about some of the appalling events of the Holocaust, which makes it more appropriate for a younger audience.

The main narrative of the book is well-researched and poignant, but I feel that the mirror story of the Land of Dolls is too contrived. It brings to mind the fantasies of Frances Hardinge - specifically Cuckoo Song - but I regret to say that it is not as well-crafted or precise.

However, our Year 7 students all enjoyed the novel and - as they are the intended audience - that is all that matters.

Gill Ward is senior librarian at Fortismere School in North London

Pupil reviews

Lessons about history and friendship

‘I would force everyone I know to read this book’

Karolina lives in the Land of Dolls and loves it there. Her job is to sew wishes into people’s dresses. When the evil rats invade, Karolina has to do something and one day she wakes up inside a dollmaker’s shop. The dollmaker is a troubled man and, as their friendship develops, the Second World War breaks out. He has to use his magical powers and Karolina’s brains to save some close friends.

I think this is best read by younger readers, because the storyline is not too complicated and the words are not too complex. Having said that, the subject matter makes it quite a hard read and adults would enjoy this book, too, in my opinion.

Although the book is set during the Second World War, it does not go into too much detail. Instead, it talks about the things we already know about, such as concentration camps, struggling Jews and Nazi officers.

One of the reasons I love this book is that it teaches us many lessons throughout the story. The characters are inspirational people and you can relate to some of their features.

If I were to describe the book in three words, they would be: exciting, clever and unpredictable. I would happily give a copy of this book to everyone I know and force them to read it.

Frankie Badacsonyi, Year 7

‘A good balance between history and fantasy’

This is a relatively good book, which has a slow start but gets to be very exciting by the end.

I am a big fan of Second World War history and thought it had a good balance between factual history and fantasy fiction. It expertly shows the brutality of the Nazis and the hardships everyone suffered during their occupation. The aspect of magic in this story makes it different to other Second World War books. It is well-intertwined, so it doesn’t override the historical elements. Overall, I quite enjoyed the book.

Mingus Clark, Year 7

‘Magic and friendship, for fans of The Book Thief’

I found this book really intriguing because it is all about magic and friendship. The more you read, the more moving and exciting it becomes.

The dollmaker creates a doll that comes to life. Her name is Karolina and the two friends go through a lot together. When the Nazis occupy Poland and Krakow, the dollmaker must use his magic to save his Jewish friends.

This book is likely to be enjoyed by fans of The Book Thief and people who like books that contain magic, justice, history and friendship.

Rachel Tallentire, Year 7

‘War, magic and solidarity between friends’

The Dollmaker of Krakow is a moving book about a doll that gets brought to life by a heartbroken dollmaker in Poland during the Second World War.

They must use their magic to help their Jewish friends escape the Nazis. The doll’s country - The Land of Dolls - is also at war.

I really like this book, because it makes you feel so many emotions: sad, because of the terrible things that happened while Poland was occupied, angry because of how cruel everyone - not just the Nazis - was to the Jews, but mostly happy because it reminds you about the importance of friendship.

If you like books that include war, magic and solidarity between friends - even under the most difficult of circumstances - then you will love this book.

Sadie Oliver, Year 7

If you or your class would like to write a review, please contact adi.bloom@tesglobal.com