Derek’s little sister wants one of those creepy-looking dolls, staring at him from the strange new doll shop in town, and what his sister wants, she gets. Now they’re stuck with a doll that looks so human, it gives Derek the creeps.

When Derek tells his friends, Martin and Jamie, about the new shop with creepy human-like dolls, they want to see for themselves. That has “bad idea” written all over it, but he takes his friends there anyway.

They meet the mysterious doll maker, who reminds Derek of Dr. Frankenstein, and who brainwashes Martin into buying one of those scary dolls. Derek and Jamie push and pull Martin out of the shop, but something isn’t right with their friend. He’s shivering all over, and he has no memory of what happened in the shop.

Martin’s condition worsens every day, and Derek’s sister grows more and more obsessed with her new doll. Derek and Jamie have to find out what’s going on, and fast, because...the doll maker seems linked to a bunch of mysterious disappearances, and the last thing Derek wants is his sister, or his friend, being next on the doll maker’s list. (GoodReads)

This book was like stepping back into my childhood and reading Goosebumps under my blanket with a flashlight.

 The Doll Maker by Majanka Verstraete is the kind of book that has you getting very nervous for these boys that come across theses weird dolls. The depiction of them reminded me why I am VERY picky about dolls and had more stuffed animals than them. 

A little bit twisted Pinocchio, a little bit Chucky for young kids (I hate to use that analogy but it's the only one aside from The Doll House movie that I can think that describes that so much!) it was a fun read and a relief in a good way to figure out what happens in the end.

I loved that Verstraete captured that R.L. Stine feel with out being too scary and still very enjoyable. My favorite part is where Derek and Jamie figure the whole thing out and try to confront the bad guy  very nonchalantly. It was great! I can't wait for the rest of the Weirdville series to come out!

You can get The Doll Maker here and check out Majanka Verstraete's GoodReads page here! 

OH! And Verstraete is also responsible for this gem that I fell in love with as well. You definitely need to read this on in time for October!