The Secret Museum

by Sheila Greenwald

Through their restoration of an abandoned playhouse full of antique dolls, two young girls show several other members of the community how to gain a new lease on life.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens

127 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Lori Micho · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite books as a child.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remembered this book from my childhood with such fondness that I had to buy it for my own kids, now my eldest, at six, is old enough to get something from it. Re-reading it as an adult I only appreciate it all the more, and am struck by how many lines had survived in my memory - testament to the directness and striking quality of the writing, not the quality of my leaky-sieve memory! I love the dry self-sufficiency of the protagonist, Jennifer, and her growing and surprising friendship with the at-first cartoonishly unlikeable Lizzie McBride. The prose is understated without lacking depth, and there is a certain mournful but not ;achrymose quality to the book's whole feel. The author captures perfectly the balance between what children see as possible and what they take for granted; it's a particular kind of magic that Sheila Greenwald weaves here perfectly. I'd love to see this brought back into print.

[MaryEllen Holbrook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought this one to put aside for my daughter as well as another one I really liked by this author when I was younger. The concept alone appealed to me; when I read it, I discovered it was set at a partially neglected estate in the Hudson Valley (where I grew up) so instantly grounds like The Vanderbilt Estate, and the play cottage on the grounds of Valkill (The Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site) came to mind. For grownups it’s a quick and pleasant little read (if you can suspend disbelief); for kids, it is probably a fun little adventure/secret discovery/ business opportunity story of unlikely companionship, resourcefulness, and heart.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 2 out of 5]

C-. fiction, children's fiction, grade 4, fantasy, dolls, from stash, discard

[Sharon Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story. Love reading older children's books. This did not disappoint.

[Janell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Every once in a while I try a JF while looking for a book my grandchildren might enjoy. Not a fan of this one. The title and synopsis was intriguing but the book didn't deliver. Both the story and the characters were really not that likable.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-loved book from childhood with spunky girls and talking dolls. The portrayal of the artist parents in the 70’s is wacky and captures a part of the era well. Did not like how the parents are constantly refered to by their whole names. It was weird.