The Five Sisters

by Margaret Mahy, Patricia MacCarthy (Illustrator)

Facing the harsh elements aboard their small ship, five courageous sisters become even more determined to find the mysterious island on the edge of the sea--no matter how difficult the journey. Reprint.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Picture Books, Adventure, Juvenile, Magic

80 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1997

About the author

Margaret Mahy was a well-known New Zealand author of children's and young adult books. While the plots of many of her books have strong supernatural elements, her writing concentrates on the themes of human relationships and growing up.

Her books The Haunting and The Changeover: A Supernatural Romance both received the Carnegie Medal of the British Library Association. There have 100 children's books, 40 novels, and 20 collections of her stories published. Among her children's books, A Lion in the Meadow and The Seven Chinese Brothers and The Man Whose Mother was a Pirate are considered national classics. Her novels have been translated into German, French, Spanish, Dutch, Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Italian, Japanese, Catalan and Afrikaans. In addition, some stories have been translated into Russian, Chinese and Icelandic.

For her contributions to children's literature she was made a member of the Order of New Zealand. The Margaret Mahy Medal Award was established by the New Zealand Children's Book Foundation in 1991 to provide recognition of excellence in children's literature, publishing and literacy in New Zealand. In 2006 she was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Award (known as the Little Nobel Prize) in recognition of a "lasting contribution to children's literature".

Margaret Mahy died on 23 July 2012.

On 29 April 2013, New Zealand’s top honour for children’s books was renamed the New Zealand Post Margaret Mahy Book of the Year award.

For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret...

Reviews

[Tamanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this back in primary school days and though I can't remember much I do remember how amazing it truly was. I've tried to find it again but I can't (this may be because I'm rather lazy) because I would love to read it to my little sister.
Ok I'll admit I'm a sucker for happy endings ^__^ and this story had a happy ending for everyone even the nearly suicidal musician. I just love how in the end you hear about everyone and how they have succeeded in life just because they came in contact with this piece of paper, and I love how their emotions are drawn into each sister.
Sigh pure amazingness.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"'Nothing's really lost,' said Cathabelle at last. 'It just changes. Everything changes. Cinderella changed, and so did Snow White. Stories should end by saying...and they changed happily ever after.'"

[Nufflewump · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I finished + cried. I think I was seven + I remember staying up way past my bedtime + just silently crying to myself once I'd finished it. It's really beautiful.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books of all time.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely magical story about 5 sisters. Its lovely and special.. a good book to read if you wanna feel happy and bubbly (:

[E.R. Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this back in 1999 from the school library. I returned it, grew up, forgot its title, but always remembered reading a story of five paper dolls going on an amazing adventure. Finally, this year, I did some sleuthing and re-found this beautiful book that I haven't seen in two decades.

I see now why this story in particular stayed with me and haunted me for so many years. Particularly Elodie, the crying sister, always hovered somewhere in my subconscious. It's such a fun, beautiful, sweet, profound story. I guess, like Sally, I knew I would never forget the five sisters. And now, I finally have them back!

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the flow of this book: the succession of events that happens to the five paper dolls mimics how a lively imagination might meander on a summer day too hot for any physical activity. I liked how Mahy let each doll have their individual traits, but showed how each trait could be a strength for the group. My favorite was Alpha--she's my kind of sparkplug. The time twist was cute, but I would have preferred to follow the sisters to that awesome island in the sea. Great read-along story for youngsters.

[KidsFiction Teton County Library]

TCL Call #: SH CH Mahy

Teton Co. Library Staff: not rated

A creative tale about the adventures of five paper dolls. The paper dolls are whisked off by the wind, carried by a bird, saved from a lawnmower's jaws, narrowly escape a towering rubbish fire, and share a life as a bookmark.
Each of the dolls acquires its own name, face, and personality through the varying artistic talents of the individuals that the group encounters. Not only are the dolls affected by these individuals, but, mysteriously, so are the people. This is a delightful fantasy filled with adventure and humor.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a hot day, Nana cuts out a row of 5 paper dolls for her young granddaughter Sally. She draws the face, hair, dress and shoes on the first girl. But before she can draw the next girl, the paper dolls disappear. They drift through the city into and out of the hands of an artist, a musician and a student, who each add details to one of the dolls. The 5 sisters are more than just dolls; they are extensions of their creators and inspirations in their turn.

You really couldn't do this book without pictures; Patricia MacCarthy's illustrations are delightful.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Imagine you are one of five paper dolls joined at the hands, whisked by the wind from owne owner and adventure to another, and always seeking a mysterious island.

Recommended for ages 7 and up to read independently but younger listeners would also enjoy. (I don't have reading level or A.R. points info.) This is a very quick read -- only 80 pages.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, how my daughter loved this. I made several paper doll chains for her to decorate while I read it aloud to her.

[Hannahl]

I think this book was better than I expected and I really liked the ending. :)

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read a chapter a night to my kids. We were all excited to see what adventures the sisters would have the following night. Thoughtful story that was fun to read together.

[Sallee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, but the characters had little depth. Also, there were countless typos/grammatical errors.

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Childhood feels.

[Deb]

Because Ben Hatke said it was great.

[Kevin Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just read this to my kids on the advice of Ben Hatke's tweeting about it. It's very creative and held their attention very well. An enjoyable book for all ages.

[Inoli · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Shyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool book

[Deborah Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the reviews on Goodreads are positive, stressing the magical qualities of this book. It is indeed a magical story about five paper dolls who are blown by fate into the lives of different people, changing the people's lives, and developing their own unique personalities. This philosophical story published in 1996 has certainly struck a chord with reviewers! Many have read the book to their own children, who apparently enjoyed it as well. For me, it has the tone and impact of Hans Christian Andersen's literary folk tales. Mahy was a very experienced and successful writer, whose plots were often slightly off beat and unusual. The book's ending is epic, as the sisters sail off over the sea in their paper boat. This is the only paper doll book for older children that I have come across. I have written a book about paper dolls and am searching for a literary agent to help it find a home. My dolls have a happy ending, too, but not one as mythical as Mahy's sisters. May they sail on forever to new adventures!

[Precious Fragoso · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a lovely little book 🩷

this was the first ‘big kid’ book I ever checked out and finished from my library many years ago.

it’s brought me a lot of joy and nostalgia since — great transition book for little readers!

[Stephanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imaginative and magical.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah- making paper dolls - brings back wonderful memories.

[Betsie Bush · Rating 3 out of 5]

2023 Read Harder challenge - less than 500 GoodReads ratings (137).

I love the full circle aspect of the story. I'm a fan of doll stories.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/10

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another gorgeous work of fiction for children from my fave author of all time. I can't wait to pass this on to the children of a friend.

[mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

ive read this twice and theres so much hidden messages in here and there isnt a single page i didnt annotate. I love reading short books with such meanings and the way all five sisters have different point of views and personalities made me relate to all of themm. Theres just so much quotes in this book and i rlly love it

[Mela]

Letta la versione in italiano: Le cinque sorelle

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome book! This is now my new favorite children's book. My 5 year old loved it, too.