Take a story's temperature by studying its tone. Is it hopeful? Cynical? Snarky? Playful?
Exploratory, Spooky, and Self-Conscious
Doll Bones is about three kids who embark on a crazy adventure, but while it's exciting to read about, it's important to note that they're pretty ambivalent about their undertaking. There's no false bravado here—these kids worry about a lot of things. Chief among these concerns is their creepy nightmare doll, the Queen, but while she inspires a lot of scary moments in the novel, there is a marked lack of violence. The book is spooky, but never full-on terrifying. Phew.
While there's a strong touch of the supernatural, the trio's quest also reflects normal adolescent fears. Like many kids their age, Zach, Alice, and Poppy are extremely self-conscious, and they're frightened by the prospect of growing up and finding their own way in the world. The trio seems tentative, especially at first, as if they're testing the waters—they worry about how they'll be perceived and if they'll get into trouble. By the end, though, while they haven't full come into adulthood, they're definitely getting there. As Alice says:
"This was real […] This was a story that we lived. Maybe we can live other stories too." (16.117)
As they close the door to childhood, Zach, Alice, and Poppy are ready to tackle whatever comes their way next.