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The Door by the Staircase
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh
20 posts | 8 read | 5 to read
Twelve-year-old Mary Hayes can't stand her orphanage for another night. But when an attempted escape through the stove pipe doesn't go quite as well as she'd hoped, Mary fears she'll be stuck in the Buffalo Asylum for Young Ladies forever. The very next day, a mysterious woman named Madame Z appears at the orphanage requesting to adopt Mary, and the matron's all too happy to get the girl off her hands. Soon, Mary is fed a hearty meal, dressed in a clean, new nightgown and shown to a soft bed with blankets piled high. She can hardly believe she isn't dreaming! But when Mary begins to explore the strange nearby town with the help of her new friend, Jacob, she learns a terrifying secret about Madame Z's true identity. If Mary's not careful, her new home might just turn into a nightmare. Award-winning author Katherine Marsh draws from Russian fairytales in this darkly funny middle-grade fantasy novel Praise for Jepp, Who Defied the Stars New York Times Notable Children's Books of 2012 The Wall Street Journal Best Children's Books of 2012 * "This shining gem is a must-have." School Library Journal, starred review * "...an epic search for love, family, respect, and a destiny of one's own making." Publishers Weekly, starred review * "...this outstanding work of historical fiction provides readers with more than just an imagined biography. Incorporating elements of adventure, romance, tragedy, intrigue, and science, the novel conjures a place and time not commonly explored in young adult fiction ..." Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review "Rich, absorbing storytellinga terrific read in every way." Nancy Werlin, National Book Award Finalist and author of Impossible "Narrating a young adult novel from a dwarf's perspective is nothing short of inspired. ... Marsh transcends genre to create an engaging narrative complex enough to keep not-so-young adults turning its pages." The New York Times Book Review Praise for The Twilight Prisoner * "Readers should
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quote
Niaaelizz
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh

“But turning back wasn‘t an option.”

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Niaaelizz
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh

I would read this book aloud to a middle school classroom and incorporate lessons after on different types of families.

review
Niaaelizz
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh
Pickpick

This realistic fiction book is about an orphan, Mary, and her journey on getting out of her orphanage. The first chapter is when Mary gets the idea to escape through the stove pipe, and gets caught in doing so. I think this book is a good friction as to how children in orphanages May feel.

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mack2799
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh
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mack2799
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh
Pickpick

I think this realistic fiction book is great in letting kids know how other kids are out there dealing with hard issues but still making the most of it. By reading this book, I think they get to feel a little bit of sympathy and start to understand the complexity of human interaction itself. This story evokes emotion that helps kids see the world from a whole new perspective!

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mack2799
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh

This book gives an interesting story line to keep kids intrigued and brings on an outsider viewpoint than some kids may be used to seeing. Being in an orphanage is hard and having kids see this may be impacting on how they tend to treat others in the long run!

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Miadolce
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh

“Winter has come to Iris, as it did every year in the human world, and with it the sunset early.”

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Miadolce
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh

I like that the author created an intriguing story by incorporating Russian folktales and fantasy while showing integral themes about trust, love and learning to love tourself

review
Miadolce
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh
Mehso-so

This book is drawn from Russian fairytales that is great for middle school aged kids. It is about a 12 year old girl who is adopted by someone who isn‘t who they appear to be. This is fun for students of that age to read, but probably is not best for students any younger.

1 like1 stack add
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ConnorLaCroix
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh

"A home without love isnt a home."

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ConnorLaCroix
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh

With a name like Madame Z, Mary shouldve known something was amiss.

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ConnorLaCroix
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh
Pickpick

A classic plotline about an orphan who just wants to get adopted and once they do not everything is as it seems. It includes a creepy mystery which I always found so so intriguing as a kid.

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vnneff6000
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh

“You can not be the judge of another's wishes. ...

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vnneff6000
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh
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Madame zolotaya and Marry

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vnneff6000
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh
Pickpick

This book is about an orphan girl named Mary who is 12 years old. She is adopted and wants to learn more about the woman who adopted her.

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Ariel8Smith
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh
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“But Mary wasn‘t worried. This home always came back to her.”

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Ariel8Smith
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh

Chapter book that tells about life as an orphan. Has a good theme to be careful about what you wish for. An imaginative story that has adventures to keep children interested.

review
Ariel8Smith
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh
Pickpick

2016, contemporary literature. Twelve year old Mary does not want to be at her orphanage any longer. She attempts to escape but it doesn‘t go as planned. She gets adopted and is super grateful and excited until she learns the dark truths about the women‘s identity who adopted her.

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BookInMyHands
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh
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Pickpick

When Mary is adopted by an old woman, Madame Z, she thinks maybe she‘s found a place to call home. But strange things are afoot, and nothing and no one seems to be quite what Mary first thinks.

This is a fun reimagining of a Baba Yaga story, great for 4-6 grades. The audiobook is also fantastic, perhaps even better if you want to hear the the pronunciation of the Russian words.

#oregonbattleofthebooks2018

Bourriquet76 My daughter did Colorado Battle of the Books! 6y
64 likes2 stack adds1 comment
blurb
BookInMyHands
The Door by the Staircase | Katherine Marsh
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#retelling
I'm nearly finished with the audio for this Baba Yaga story, and I'm really enjoying it. The protagonist is smart and brave, and I love her spunk!

#oregonbattleofthebooks2018
#sizzlinsummerreads

Chessa Ooh, I love Baba Yaga stories! 7y
41 likes1 stack add1 comment