"The Doll Shop Downstairs" by Yona Zeldis McDonough

The Doll Shop Downstairs is told from the point of view of nine-year-old Anna who is the middle child between her older sister, Sophie and younger sister, Trudie. Through the story, she doesn't feel as special as her sisters who are more clever and in need of more attention. The Russian Jewish family lives in New York where they own a doll repair shop and depending on the time the dolls will be there, the girls spend their time playing with them. They become attached to three in particular and proceed to name them: Victoria Marie, Bernadette Louise, and Angelica Grace. It's in the doll shop where Anna feels she is special with her doll, Bernadette Louise. She forms a very special bond with this doll even after her sisters become distracted with other things.
The time is set during World War I and when Germany declares war on Russia, the future of the doll shop is in jeopardy because most of the parts needed are shipped from Germany. All but six dolls are shipped back to their owners with apologies but fortunately, the dolls Sophie, Anna, and Trudie have grown attached to are among the six left behind. Anna suggests that they start making dolls and selling them, beginning with their first original doll, Nurse Nora. Her father and mother are hesitant but do so and after a slow start, they are quite successful with their original dolls: Nurse Nora, a queen, and a fairy.
The owners never come for Victoria Marie and Angelica Grace but Bernadette Louise's owner does claim her doll and Anna is heart-broken. Her sisters are kind enough to share their dolls with her but it's not the same, she loves Bernadette Louise. After a time, she decides to write a letter to her and soon the owner of her beloved doll comes back to the shop. She tells Anna that Bernadette Louise's new home will be with her because this doll was given to her by her grandmother and she was looking for someone who loved her as much to take care of her. The story ends with this lady, Miss MacKay, having tea with Anna, Bernadette Louise, and Anna's mother.

Personally, I really enjoyed this book because of the imagination Anna portrayed throughout. She had such a special bond with Bernadette Louise and never grew tired of playing with her. It kind of reminds me of Toy Story and the fact that for kids, certain toys matter so much and when the toy is being played with, the toy's purpose is being fulfilled. It's unfortunate that we live in a world so consumed by technology and imagination is rarely used anymore. This story intrigued me because it reminded me of the games I played as a child with my sisters. We played make-believe games all the time and it was the best time of my life because it was freeing and it made me feel like anything was possible.
It is realistic fiction because the story is altered, based on a real family who did live in New York. It teaches that every person in a family is special, whether they notice it right away or not. Siblings are stronger together which the three girls prove on many occasions in the story. We all have different talents that make us unique and therefore, special. Kids, teens, young adults, and even adults feel the need to compare themselves to others. After all, isn't that what society teaches? How to make your way to the top for your benefit alone. The Doll Shop Downstairs also teaches about the importance of family as well as the importance of being considerate and patient. Our society teaches that getting what you want now is the most important thing but these girls display an attitude that most kids have lost or not even learned to obtain. Now, it's more common that kids throw fits when they don't get what they want. This story teaches kids, valuable lessons about how special each of them are, how precious family and earned possessions are, and mostly, how each person has the potential to do more than they think they are capable of. I definitely recommend this book, not only because it teaches these lessons which seem to be lost in a way, but also because imagination is such a wonderful attribute we all have.