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Dollmaker of Krakow

Dollmaker of Krakow | R M Romero

73 posts | 35 read | 119 to read

In the vein of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and Number the Stars, this fusion of fairy tales, folklore, and World War II history eloquently illustrates the power of love and the inherent will to survive even in the darkest of times. In the land of dolls, there is magic.In the land of humans, there is war.Everywhere there is pain.But together there is hope. Karolina is a living doll whose king and queen have been overthrown. But when a strange wind spirits her away from the Land of the Dolls, she finds herself in Krakow, Poland, in the company of the Dollmaker, a man with an unusual power and a marked past. The Dollmaker has learned to keep to himself, but Karolina's courageous and compassionate manner lead him to smile and to even befriend a violin-playing father and his daughter--that is, once the Dollmaker gets over the shock of realizing a doll is speaking to him. But their newfound happiness is dashed when Nazi soldiers descend upon Poland. Karolina and the Dollmaker quickly realize that their Jewish friends are in grave danger, and they are determined to help save them, no matter what the risks.

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blurb

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

tagged users icon

Johanna414, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, mrp27, Deblovestoread, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, sblbooks

IndoorDame When reading with kids I think this would benefit from supplementary educational materials or conversations to go along with it, especially if this was a kids introduction to the holocaust. But I think it‘s great that this is different from the holocaust literature I‘ve read before, and I really appreciated that it touched on a lot of important pieces emotionally instead of just historically or factually. 3y

megnews @IndoorDame I agree. I think this could be used as a piece of overall education. I think young people are more empathetic than most adults and capable of learning hard things when done in the right way. 3y

TheBookHippie @IndoorDame I agree. It could be done well in a classroom setting with materials and other stories to get the whole picture. I think the Holocaust should be taught to very young people. I‘ve always believed if kids can live it other kids can learn about it. Parents and teachers to help them, of course. 3y

TheBookHippie Sorry I was late! Long nap yesterday. Life caught up to me. I‘m glad I finally read this it was on my shelf since it‘s pub date. Thank you so much this was a difficult one to navigate. 3y

32 likes4 comments

blurb

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

tagged users icon

Johanna414, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, mrp27, Deblovestoread, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, sblbooks

IndoorDame I‘d change (or cut) the scene where Karolina escapes from rat prison into the forest and crosses to our world. The whole prison bit sticks in my head really vividly, but the scene just struck me as really weak, and if Romero was going to portray the crossing between worlds I think it could have been done in a way that tied the 2 storylines together better. 3y

Butterfinger I cannot get over how he got the children out. I didn't like it one bit. The nurse who smuggled children out of the ghetto as laundry was every bit a miracle and should be in a children's story. I know. I am probably the only one who doesn't like it, but I keep thinking about those who didn't make it. I wished the Dollmaker's magic was spent fighting the persecutors, I guess. 3y

sblbooks Great point @Butterfinger I also wonder why he didn't use his magic against the Nazis. 3y

See All 26 Comments

IndoorDame @Butterfinger @sblbooks don‘t you think he kind of did use his magic against the Nazis since he charmed an SS officer with it who ended up helping him and turning a blind eye to things he did? 3y

megnews @indoordame I think he did. I can get what @Butterfinger is saying though. Another example of magical realism written into tragic historical fiction is the Underground Railroad by Colskn Whitehead. I had a very difficult time liking the book because it seemed too easy and took away from the great hardships and dangers enslaved runaways experienced. As I read The Dollmaker I kept thinking the same thing. How tenuous it was for the helpers and 👇🏻 3y

megnews 👆🏻those helped. And how this made it a little too easy. I‘m not saying I didn‘t care for the story. It was something that just bothered me somewhat and I wonder what message it sends the intended audience. 3y

Butterfinger @IndoorDame I meant to fight them. To keep the Nazis from rounding up the Hebrew. 3y

IndoorDame @megnews I definitely hear that. Skipping over the danger in that section made me think of The Book Thief that hones in on that piece, and on the fear, but still works for the same age group. 3y

IndoorDame @Butterfinger I guess can see why you‘d want that, but I would have found it deeply unsatisfying. I think that take would seem to me like it was trying to change the history, or trivialize it, or something… (I would also really prefer it if you didn‘t say the Hebrew unless you‘re referring to the language) 3y

Butterfinger @IndoorDame I will say Yiddish then. I don't personally like"Jew" I have heard it used too many times as racist or slurs. 3y

Butterfinger @IndoorDame I just googled the term. It can mean descendants of the ancient people or language. Please educate me so I will know better. 3y

IndoorDame @Butterfinger Yiddish and Hebrew are simply inaccurate. Jewish may be used in a derogatory way sometimes, but it‘s the name of a contemporary worldwide religion, the others are not. 3y

megnews @Butterfinger this is my understanding. Hebrew is an old term for Jewish people that they no longer use, except referencing the language. Yiddish is completely different, like a mix of Hebrew and Russian maybe? I think Jewish people now prefer to be called Jewish. I‘ve also heard the term Jew used by Jewish people. For me I use the term Jewish because I have heard non-Jewish people use the term Jew as a racial slur too much. 3y

IndoorDame @megnews @Butterfinger that‘s a very good explanation. Hebrew referencing people is mostly a biblical term. And Yiddish is a mix of Hebrew, English and German, though very few people in the world still speak it. I also use the term Jewish and tend to avoid Jew, though I‘m not that careful about it having grown up within the Jewish community in an area without much anti-semitism. 3y

Butterfinger @IndoorDame @megnews thank you. I never want to offend anyone. 3y

megnews @IndoorDame thanks for the info on Yiddish. I tried to do a quick search because I thought it was a mix of languages but couldn‘t find it right away. 3y

IndoorDame @Butterfinger thanks I appreciate that 🙏 3y

TheBookHippie @megnews my grandma and great grandma spoke Yiddish to me as a child, I use what I still know in speech without knowing it and some to my grandson so it carries on, what‘s interesting is the kids I‘ve mentored from Pakistan Afghanistan know it a little too. @IndoorDame 3y

TheBookHippie @Butterfinger They have to leave kids behind or it isn‘t real. That‘s life. I find kids who don‘t live cookie cutter lives don‘t have as hard of time with true Holocaust history because they know that is how life goes. Too sanitised and you take away the reality that Nazis killed children, babies and it cheapens their lives that were lost. To save one life is to save a nation and they‘ve done that. To speak of the dead honors them even in this. ♥️ 3y

TheBookHippie @IndoorDame I grew up having grandparents say never tell anyone your Jewish (by blood) never tell the government- they were so afraid. So incredibly sad. 3y

IndoorDame @TheBookHippie cool that some of your students have picked up Yiddish words! I don‘t know any that aren‘t in the vernacular. (edited) 3y

IndoorDame @TheBookHippie That fear is so incredibly sad. But common for that generation. I hope we can start to remember and honor them well without passing on their fear. 3y

TheBookHippie @IndoorDame Me too. Although I‘ve been quite relieved none of them are alive to witness these last years. I‘ve never felt that in my life. 3y

TheBookHippie @IndoorDame A lot of times it comes out without me knowing as it‘s part of my speech I‘ve had many smiles from elderly when that happens, almost like a secret code or relief that it‘s used. Fascinating to think about. 3y

BarbaraJean @Butterfinger The way he saves the children didn't work for me, either. I don't think the Dollmaker's magic fit in the story very well. I liked the other fantastical characters (Karolina & the folklore characters), but with the SS agent & the Dollmaker it felt forced. I wonder if another issue for me is meshing magical realism with historical fiction. @megnews I haven't read Underground Railroad yet but had similar issues with The Water Dancer.

[tagged book]

The Water Dancer: A Novel

3y

megnews @BarbaraJean I was listening to The Water Dancer and DNF‘d halfway through for the same reason. 3y

27 likes26 comments

blurb

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

tagged users icon

Johanna414, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, mrp27, Deblovestoread, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, sblbooks

IndoorDame Karolina made the dollmaker believe in his magic and take more risks with it, so I see her as a sort of catalyst for him helping the children. 3y

megnews @IndoorDame I agree. I think he was so withdrawn from life that he never would have taken those steps without her encouragement. Not that he wasn‘t a kind person who didn‘t want to help, but a bit like Eeyore, “whatever‘s going to happen is going to happen. Nothing I can do about it.” 3y

IndoorDame @megnews I like idea or him as Eeyore 😞 totally fits 3y

See All 6 Comments

Butterfinger The scene when he went into the line for the chambers and Karolina was forced to leave him. 😭😭 3y

sblbooks @megnews that's a great analogy! 3y

TheBookHippie Eeyore is the perfect analogy. 3y

22 likes6 comments

blurb

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

tagged users icon

Johanna414, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, mrp27, Deblovestoread, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, sblbooks

Butterfinger I liked it. I like the character in the church that the Hebrew people were visiting for help. I liked the spirit who stayed by Auschwitz - the Hebrew in Poland has folklore of the golem coming to life to help them in time of need. So it wasn't too far fetched for me to understand the magical realism. I just think some aspects went too far. 3y

sblbooks I prefer books that are just strictly historical, I still liked the story. It sort of reminded me of a fairy tale. 3y

IndoorDame @Butterfinger I think you mean the Jewish people? I didn‘t think of the comparison to the Golem myth. That‘s such an interesting take! 3y

See All 7 Comments

TheBookHippie I feel like she tried all these things and should have fleshed it out more edited it more and then told the story. It‘s like we‘re here for the process mess and not the good edited result. A little magic is okay this was eh.. something not quite right but it‘s hard to explain what other than it seems a work in progress. Too much. 3y

megnews @TheBookHippie that‘s a good explanation of what‘s going on here. She could have made it two separate books. 3y

BarbaraJean @TheBookHippie Agreed—this could have used a bit of reworking. I loved the magical elements in the real world (the characters from folklore, etc), partly because it made Karolina feel like a more natural part of that world. But the doll transformation part and the Dollmaker‘s magic itself felt forced to me. 3y

megnews @BarbaraJean I liked the magical parts in the real world and that would have been enough for me without the Doll Country. I didn‘t mind the Dollmaker‘s magic, reminiscent of Pinnochio, but shrinking the children was a bit too easy. 3y

17 likes7 comments

blurb

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

tagged users icon

Johanna414, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, mrp27, Deblovestoread, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, sblbooks

IndoorDame It‘s hard to know for sure without reading the doll country aspect developed more fully, but my sense is that just that piece as a Holocaust story wouldn‘t have worked because you couldn‘t really have gotten enough gravity from it. 3y

megnews @IndoorDame there were parts of the doll country I enjoyed and others not so much. I had some trouble blending the two stories together. When I read the author‘s notes on the development of the story, I wished she‘d dropped the rats and went with the new story. I think there was enough magical realism with Karolina in the real world. 3y

IndoorDame @megnews I think you‘re right and it would have worked just as easily without it. I loved the idea of doll county, but she didn‘t do nearly as much with it as I imagine she might have. 3y

See All 8 Comments

Butterfinger Totally agree. I liked the magical spirits and even the witchery, but the doll land and the horror of the rats made me upset. Just focus on the Holocaust. This was really a tough book for me. 3y

sblbooks The magical realism was not my favorite part. I would have preferred if it was left out but I thought that's just me 3y

TheBookHippie @megnews I agree I wish she would have went with the new story. 3y

TheBookHippie @Butterfinger Agree. 3y

BarbaraJean It‘s interesting to hear the Doll Country part was her original idea! Knowing that, it feels like she was too attached to it & tried to do too much by keeping both. I liked the parallel narratives but I felt the Doll Country storyline wasn‘t as well-developed as it should have been. I agree with @IndoorDame that just the doll story by itself wouldn‘t have worked well as a Holocaust story—she needed the real-life part. 3y

20 likes8 comments

blurb

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

tagged users icon

Johanna414, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, mrp27, Deblovestoread, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, sblbooks

IndoorDame I think it takes away some fear and suspense that would otherwise be there for young readers because Karolina knows what to expect from the “witches” at each step since she already experienced it with the rats and can tell about it having already survived. 3y

megnews @IndoorDame do you think that‘s a good thing? I liked some suspense at that age but not fear so much. So I think so. 3y

IndoorDame @megnews I think so too. Holocaust narratives can be really traumatizing for kids if they‘re too harsh, but obviously we‘re not teaching them anything if we sanitize the stories, so I think creative solutions like this one are really good for navigating that line. 3y

See All 8 Comments

Butterfinger That's a good point @IndoorDame I know there are literature with alternative universes or timelines and I assume that was the author's purpose - to show - I don't know what the purpose was. Nazis and rats are similarly evil - and kindness is needed. If more people were kind like the Dollmaker. 3y

sblbooks I agree with @IndoorDame it's a way to tell the story of the Holocaust to younger readers, that is hopefully not as traumatic. 3y

TheBookHippie It also shows what some kids did or were taught -even by their teachers that went along to ghettos- in order to survive. When they‘re older and read about it they can come back and relate this book to the narrative. I don‘t believe in sanitising anything either I‘ve always believed if kids lived it kids can read about it this is a nice compromise if that I think. 3y

megnews @TheBookHippie that is my saying too! 3y

BarbaraJean @IndoorDame @sblbooks Absolutely agree that it was an effective way to soften the narrative a bit without downplaying the realities of the Holocaust. I liked how it foreshadowed the events in Krakow in many ways, but in a fantasy setting that seemed safer because it was more remote. That “safer” setting then served to prepare kids for reading about similar events in the real world. 3y

18 likes8 comments

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

Dear #MGBuddyRead -ers,
I was supposed to be sitting comfortably in a hotel this evening to do discussion after dropping my daughter at college. Unfortunately, I am fleeing the NC/WV winter storm warning and just stopped with 5 hours to go and plans to leave early to get ahead of the storm in the AM after being in the road 15 hours today. I‘ll post questions tomorrow. Sorry!!

tagged users icon

Johanna414, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, mrp27, Deblovestoread, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, sblbooks

TheBookHippie BE SAFE !!!! No worries about us! 3y

IndoorDame No worries. Stay safe!!! 3y

sblbooks I'm glad you got out in time, they're calling for about 10 inches where I live. Safe travels. 3y

See All 11 Comments

megnews @sblbooks I just heard that on the news. I‘m in beckley an hour from Charleston wv. It‘s supposed to start snowing at 8 here and 10 in Charleston. I‘m leaving by 6 to try to beat it home. I‘d planned to stay overnight in Pembroke. But I practically had tessa jump out as I drove by. Not quite but it was a very short drop off. (edited) 3y

megnews @TheBookHippie @IndoorDame @sblbooks thank you all for understanding. Left at 5:30 this morning and made it the rest of the way home ahead of the storm. My daughter has been getting freezing rain since sometime last night. Supposed to end by this evening. So glad they accommodated her moving in early and I decided to turn right around. Exhausted though and took a nap. 3y

IndoorDame Glad you made it home safely! I hope the rest of the storm is less stressful. 3y

megnews @IndoorDame by the time it starts here at 7, I will be hunkered down for a couple days of reading! Yay! 3y

Butterfinger Glad you are home. The whole map of NC was either blue or pink today. I wanted to know if Abby was getting it in Raleigh. Our girls will be fine. 3y

megnews @Butterfinger 😊 Tessa made it across campus to the dining hall so I‘d say she‘s good. How‘s Abby faring? 3y

Butterfinger She is fine. 3y

BarbaraJean My weekend has been so packed I wasn‘t able to get on Litsy until now, come to find out your weekend was much more eventful in a completely different way!! Glad to hear you were able to drop off your daughter and are home safe for cozy reading!! Jumping into discussion now. 😊 (edited) 3y

43 likes11 comments

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

#AestheticallyMatched @Clwojick

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

#Pantone2022 #HarborBlue @Clwojick

Clwojick SUCH a good match! 3y

59 likes1 comment

review

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

Pick

pick

I listened to this month‘s #MGBuddyRead on audio and I was pleasantly surprised. It‘s really difficult to do holocaust fiction well, but this is a nice take. It‘s sort of a parable within a parable, and while you know what‘s coming, the story is still strong enough that you can get lost in it and enjoy the magic for a bit before things get devastating. #BBRC Middle Grade Classroom #PopSugar2022 #ASocialHorrorBook @megnews @LibrarianRyan

LibrarianRyan 😁 3y

63 likes1 stack add1 comment

review

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

Pick

pick

🌟🌟🌟🌟 I found this cute image on line by St. Rita's Library.
#MgbuddyRead @megnews I too was unsure if I would like the fantasy, fairytale, Holocaust mash up. I did, and I think kids will too.
I love this quote:
Please, be kind.
Please, be brave.
Please, don't let it happen again.

megnews I‘m glad you liked it and I love this infographic. I‘m going to have to check out that Instagram page. 3y

34 likes1 comment

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

#thoughtfulthursday

Thanks for the tag @Bklover

1. My reading goals/resolutions are mostly the same every year, to read what I own.

2. My word for 2022 would be restorative

3. I‘m not very far in the but so far so good

tagged users icon

Bklover ❤️ 3y

21 likes1 comment

review

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

Pick

pick

Weaving magical realism into a book about the Holocaust seems an odd choice. This gorgeous cover kept drawing me back to it. I‘m not sure if the author made it work 100%. The parts about the doll in the real world worked for me but the Doll World seemed an unnecessary addition, though from reading the author note that was the original storyline. I‘ll save the rest for discussion with #MGBuddyRead discussion Saturday January 15.

tagged users icon

Johanna414, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, mrp27, Deblovestoread, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, sblbooks

TheBookHippie This is my plan to read while sitting at doctors on Wednesday. 3y

60 likes1 stack add1 comment

blurb

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

I got tired of my holiday reads so I‘m moving on to January‘s TBR. One chapter into #MGBuddyRead. Not sure how I‘ll like the book yet but I do like the illustrations a lot.

tagged users icon

Johanna414, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, mrp27, Deblovestoread, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, sblbooks

Butterfinger Oh. I couldn't get the book so I had to listen to it. That is a great illustration. 3y

TheBookHippie I‘ve no cranked it open yet! 3y

megnews @Butterfinger I may have to share a few more then! 3y

46 likes3 comments

review

Dollmaker of Krakow | R M Romero

Meh

so-so

I have many contradicting feelings. Magical realism set during WWII in Poland. Each rescue, during the Holocaust, should be considered a miracle, but should it be so fanciful when written for children? I also read Jane Yolen's Briar Rose, which is about the Holocaust as a fairy tale. I think I prefer Yolen's version. #MGBuddyRead @megnews

Chrissyreadit In my opinion, Jane Yolen can do no wrong. 3y

RosePressedPages I will have to read Yolen‘s book now! 3y

megnews @Chrissyreadit I love Jane Yolen too. 3y

34 likes3 comments

blurb

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

This is a reminder of the January picks for #MGBuddyRead & #YABuddyRead. Let me know in the comments which you are joining in for. If you aren‘t tagged and want to be tagged for one or both discussions, please let me know which below as well. All welcome!!

tagged users icon

youngreadrshelf, Peddler410, Johanna414, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, LibrarianRyan, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, mrp27, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, JaclynW, Q84, SamanthaMarie, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, sblbooks, AbigailJaneBlog, Tattooedteacher, Roary47, Seeking_Serenity

sblbooks I'm going to try to read both this time around. 3y

Johanna414 I'm in for Code Name Verity! 3y

IndoorDame I‘m in for both 3y

See All 9 Comments

BarbaraJean I'm in for both! 3y

Butterfinger I'm aiming for both. 3y

Deblovestoread Shooting for January…I‘ve already read Verity. It‘s good. 3y

TheBookHippie I am in for Dollmaker! 3y

LibrarianRyan 🌟❤️😁 3y

Peddler410 Just got the audio from Libro.fm — should be able to listen in time for the conversation 😊 3y

45 likes9 comments

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

Here‘s your votes for 2022 #MGBuddyRead. Start with the tagged book in the upper left corner in January and moving clockwise through the year. Reminders will be posted the prior month.
All are welcome! Join anytime, for 1 or all the books! If you no longer wish to be tagged for #mgbuddyread, please let me know.

tagged users icon

youngreadrshelf, Daisey, Johanna414, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, mrp27, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, JaclynW, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, sblbooks, Tattooedteacher, Roary47

Chrissyreadit 🙌🎉 3y

TheBookHippie So excited thanks!! 3y

erzascarletbookgasm Yay!! 👏 3y

See All 14 Comments

LibrarianRyan Great list. I will try to be better this year. The last half of 2021 has just been crazy. I bought the books, but never had a chance to read them. 3y

megnews @LibrarianRyan no pressure. Join when you can. I‘ll make sure to tag you. 3y

Deblovestoread Please continue to tag me. I‘ll join when I can. Thanks! 3y

JaclynW Keep me tagged please! 3y

Q84 Tag me please 3y

megnews @Kdgordon88 @JaclynW @q84 will do! 3y

Peddler410 I know I‘ve been MIA, but please keep me tagged. 3y

Butterfinger I can't see the title for December. Unless I miscounted or misunderstood. It has the Hebrew candelabra and a Christmas tree. 3y

megnews @Butterfinger I couldn‘t find holiday middle grade for December so decided to put off voting for a December pick til later in the year. Or we could skip a month if we don‘t find something we‘d like. 3y

megnews @LibrarianRyan here‘s the rest of 2021, clockwise, starting with April

[tagged book]

The Story Collector: A New York Public Library Book

3y

LibrarianRyan Tha k you. I thought you put it out and I just couldn‘t find it. I appreciate it. 3y

35 likes14 comments

review

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

Pick

pick

This is a super cute, feel good, creative story about a doll that is made and becomes alive. It takes place in a fantasy world with dragons, evil giant rats, but the relationship between the doll maker and the main character is emotionally addictive. ❤❤❤❤❤

#BookSpinBingo

@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y

CaffeineAndCandy Like Chucky from Child's Play but no horror. 4y

sharread @ABooksyGirl That's funny. 😅🤣😻 4y

31 likes1 stack add3 comments

review

Dollmaker of Krakow | R M Romero

Pan

pan

This one just did not work for me. I felt as though the book did not know if it wanted to be YA or middle grade and the writing was bland. The parallel war in the doll's world with rats(poor rats are essentially equated to Nazis...sigh) and the relationship with the dollmaker were just weird. I think the audiobook made it all weirder.

#ReadingEurope2020 #Poland

#ReadYourSign #virgo

Prompt 1: published during sign's dates

tagged users icon

Clwojick, Librarybelle, BarbaraBB, Meaw_catlady

Librarybelle That‘s a shame! I actually bought this one awhile ago and have not had a chance to read it. I do like the cover, though. 5y

VeganCleopatra @Librarybelle Well don't let my review stop you, many people enjoyed it. I do tend to be a harder sell so 🤷‍♀️ The whole doll thing is weird though...maybe it would help if I ever liked them as a child? Ha. 5y

21 likes2 comments

review

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

Pick

pick

This little book is less emotionally simplistic than it seems at first. Through the parallel stories of rats taking over the Land of the Dolls and the Nazis taking over Poland, and a determined doll's hope, love, loss, and despair, Romero tells about a black time in human history at a remove that is, I think, manageable for young audiences but still emotionally honest.

#triplespin for April
@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Great review, and I love that cover! 5y

ImperfectCJ @TheAromaofBooks It really is a gorgeous cover! 5y

54 likes1 stack add2 comments

blurb

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

#letstravelaugust #poland

Another title from my tbr.

tagged users icon

OriginalCyn620, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

OriginalCyn620 Nice cover! 🇵🇱 5y

34 likes1 comment

review

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

Pick

pick

Getting back into my #audiobook groove and finished this one at work today. Such a sad story but I'm glad I read it.
✅ With a non-human main character
✅ With a flower on the cover

#maymadness #mayscavengerhunt #newtoyou
@TheReadingMermaid @Clwojick @RadicalReader

review

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

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pick

This was such a powerful book, for a middle grade. Oh my goodness! Did I cry at the end or What? So good. 4.5 out of 5.

BookishMarginalia And that cover! 6y

readordierachel That cover is incredible 😍 6y

16 likes1 stack add2 comments

review

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

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Such a unique way to look at the Holocaust and the atrocities commited in Poland by the Nazis. I read a lot of children's fiction for work and it's rare that a book moves me to tears but I don't mind admitting this one really got to me. Beautifully bittersweet, I think everyone should read this book.

review

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

Pick

pick

This is a story of the intertwined lives of Karolina, the seamstress from the Land of Dolls, and the Dollmaker of Krakow.

How the story itself ends leaves you hollow and sad and ugly crying. But it's a beautiful story nonetheless, full of pain and loss, but also of magic and hope and friendships that don't die.

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

#augustisatrip #poland

I really want to read this one, and read it soon!

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vkois88, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Pretty cover!! 💗 6y

vkois88 It sounds interesting, and that is such a beautiful cover! 6y

47 likes1 stack add2 comments

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

"An entire lifetime spent without believing in anything marvellous would be gloomy and dull."

Reviewsbylola What a gorgeous cover. 😍 6y

13 likes1 comment

review

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

Pick

pick

This beautiful book is moving, touching, sad, and anger inducing. But it is well worth reading because we must never forget what happened during World War II to the Jewish people.

I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫. 4.5 stars only because I disliked the male narrator. The female narrator did a lovely job.

This was written as a middle grade book but it doesn‘t seem like one.

thereadingowlvina This was a good read. I enjoyed it very much! 💕😊 6y

102 likes7 stack adds1 comment

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

“A wall could keep love and friendship out more effectively than any thing else in the world..,”

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

“She weaved through the crowd like a ribbon.”

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

This is a lovely book! I just have one quibble, so far: why are there two narrators? The woman who is narrating does a wonderful job; the man, not so much, in my not so humble opinion. I‘m only on chapter 9, though, so I‘ll give him another chance.

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

My library hold on this audiobook just came through and Libby automatically checked it out for me. I guess I am setting aside THE SPARROW for now. #SoManyBooksSoLittleTime

CatLass007 @CAnne You like WWII historical fiction, right? Or am I confused? You might want to try this. I am enjoying it completely! There‘s also an element of fantasy. 6y

CAnne You're not confused. I do like WWII historical fiction and I'm of polish to boot. Thanks for thinking of me. 6y

CatLass007 @CAnne You‘re welcome 😊 6y

85 likes3 stack adds3 comments

review

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

Pick

pick

Magical and heartbreaking. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

forevermint The cover is so pretty 😍 7y

28 likes1 stack add1 comment

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

❤❤

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

18 likes1 stack add

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

❤illustrations

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

#middlegradefiction #currentlyreading #fridayreads #catsoflitsy

erzascarletbookgasm Love the cover. Look forward to your thoughts on this :) 7y

rubyslippersreads 😻😻😻 7y

ladym30 Adorable kitty! 7y

22 likes3 comments

review

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

Pick

pick

Through the use of a parallel world narrated by a magical “living” doll who has suffered a war In the Land of Dolls, children (I recommend 11-14 year olds) are gently introduced to the truth of Krakow, Poland, Nazi occupation, and the horror that was Auschwitz-Birkenau. The magic of the dollmaker softens the sadness; it was sad but not a tear jerker. It would leave students curious to learn more about the suffering of the Polish Jews in WWII.

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

Finally, #BookMail Pt3 is a book that was a total #coverlove purchase! It‘s a fairytale inspired story set in WWII Poland. The DollMaker lives in Krakow & ends up with Karolina, a living doll who is blown by a magic wind far away from the realm she belongs in. Now they both must survive the war, & also save their Jewish friends from the atrocities of the Nazis.

Christine11 This cover is so gorgeous! 😍 7y

erzascarletbookgasm The cover 💗! Reminds me of the cover of this book 😊

[tagged book]

The Bear and the Nightingale

7y

alisiakae My daughter picked this out at the Scholastic book fair! 7y

AlaMich That is a “buy it for the cover” if ever there was one!! 😍 7y

53 likes3 stack adds4 comments

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

#MarchLineUp #MagicalMarch I don‘t usually plan my reading but definitely want to read this soon ❤️📚

tagged users icon

vkois88, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Oh I love this!!!! 💕💕💕💕 7y

vkois88 That's a beautiful cover... and I love Chip. I've probably said it before but I always have to compliment them whenever they pop up on someone's feed! 7y

DeborahSmall @vkois88 a gift just last week from @ScorpioBookDreams I think it was for my 8 year old daughter but I‘m keeping it😂 as soon as she spots it it will make its way to her bookcase I‘m sure! 7y

vkois88 I won't tell if she doesn't see it!! 😂😂 7y

ScorpioBookDreams @DeborahSmall 😂😂😂 7y

74 likes5 comments

review

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

Pan

pan

I've been wringing my hands over this for the last half hour but I have to pan it. It is a children's book but nevertheless I found the simplistic writing and more importantly the simplistic treatment of the subject matter really troubling. The good people are too wholly good and the bad people too wholly bad. The constant references to "the Germans", particularly when coupled with the idea of witches made me wince every time ?

DivineDiana But a beautiful cover! Just goes to show you “you can‘t judge...” 7y

Moray_Reads The parallel narrative in the Land of the Dolls also seemed to gloss over all complexity so that the overall message send to be "bad people do bad things because they are bad". Not a helpful view of any situation for children or adults and there are far, far better books dealing with the Holocaust aimed at younger readers. I found this distressing for all the wrog reasons. 7y

Moray_Reads @DivineDiana I did mostly judge it by the cover but the blurb sounded promising. The execution was just so wrong and the writing flat. Thank goodness I decided to be patient and wait for the library copy rather than buying it myself! 7y

DivineDiana Yes! Appreciate the review. 7y

mjdowens I have not been able to finish this one either. It is not that it is bad, I am just feeling so blah about the story so far. Seems to be written too “childish” to me. May try it again at a later date 7y

48 likes5 comments

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

So this is why people live snow days... Although reading about Kraków makes me remember that the snow outside us nothing compared to the snow I saw in Poland in 2004... ❄️🌨️☃️

Bklover Such a pretty photo! 7y

Kalalalatja I want to crawl into your photo and live there ❤️ 7y

JacqMac Nice! 7y

58 likes1 stack add3 comments

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

A lovely surprise from @ScorpioBookDreams today #bookmail thank you so much 😘

rubyslippersreads 😻😻😻 7y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So pretty!!! ❤️🦋 7y

erzascarletbookgasm That cover! 💙 7y

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AlaMich Yeah, that is a fabulous cover. I‘m such a sucker for that. 7y

Moray_Reads Just reserved a copy at the library. Sounds brilliant 7y

LeahBergen This sounds lovely. 7y

ScorpioBookDreams That arrived quickly! 7y

74 likes1 stack add7 comments

review

ScorpioBookDreams

The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

Pick

pick

This was absolutely beautiful. It‘s a MG novel set in Poland during World War Two. The story is heartbreaking yet hopeful. (Sorry for the Christmas photo - it‘s from my bookstagram in December!)

rubyslippersreads 😍😍😍 7y

britt_brooke Lovely photo! 7y

annahenke Never apologize for beauty. 😍 7y

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AlaMich Wonderful cover!! 7y

tpixie What does MG stand for? 💗😊💗 7y

ScorpioBookDreams @tpixie middle grade. Although it felt like it was written for a slightly older audience. 7y

tpixie @ScorpioBookDreams ah ha! Thanks! 7y

emmaturi Love the cover! 7y

106 likes10 stack adds8 comments

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The Dollmaker of Krakow | R. M. Romero

Final challenge of the #24in48 readathon! I‘m in hour 23 and excited to finish my first ever readathon! My favorite cover of my books (Dollmaker) and least favorite (poor Harry!). I might have uglier covers but there‘s so much goodness in HP...as a massive Potterhead, I‘m personally offended by this one! 🤣. @24in48