The Door by the Staircase
What’s inside...
Twelve-year-old Mary Hayes can't stand her orphanage for another night. But when an attempted escape through the stove pipe doesn't go quite as well as she'd hoped, Mary fears she'll be stuck in the Buffalo Asylum for Young Ladies forever. The very next day, a mysterious woman named Madame Z appears at the orphanage requesting to adopt Mary, and the matron's all too happy to get the girl off her hands. Soon, Mary is fed a hearty meal, dressed in a clean, new nightgown, and shown to a soft bed with blankets piled high. She can hardly believe she isn't dreaming! But when Mary begins to explore the strange nearby town with the help of her new friend, Jacob, she learns a terrifying secret about Madame Z's true identity. If Mary's not careful, her new home might just turn into a nightmare. Award-winning author Katherine Marsh draws from Russian fairytales in this darkly funny middle-grade fantasy novel.
Age
7-12
Length
288 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Mary Hayes
Jacob
Madame Z
Discussion points
How does Mary's bravery inspire you in your own daily life?
If you could have a magical power like Baba Yaga, what would it be and why?
What does the friendship between Mary and Jacob teach us about trusting and helping others?
How do the characters in the story show courage, and which courageous act was your favorite?
What would you have done if you were in Mary’s place when she faced the challenges at the orphanage?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to compare their own experiences with those of Mary and Jacob, fostering a deeper personal connection to the story.
Discuss the moral decisions characters make in the book and ask what your child might have done differently, enhancing their critical thinking.
Highlight the importance of courage and resilience shown in the book, relating these qualities to real-life scenarios your child might encounter.
Use the magical elements of the story as a fun jumping-off point to imagine together what life would be like with magic, sparking creativity and imagination.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of courage and facing fears
Explanation: Throughout 'The Door by the Staircase,' the protagonist, Mary, frequently confronts her fears in order to save her friend and herself from various dangers.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own fears and understand that bravery is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act in spite of it, which can help them in new or challenging situations.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship and trust
Explanation: Mary and her friend Jacob demonstrate a strong bond and trust in each other, which helps them overcome obstacles throughout the book.
Real-World Application: This can teach children about the importance of building trusting relationships and supporting friends in times of need.
Example Lesson: The significance of resourcefulness and problem-solving
Explanation: Mary often uses her wits and the resources available to her to solve puzzles and problems that she faces on her adventure.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think on their feet and use their resources creatively to navigate various challenges in their everyday life.
Example Lesson: The consequences of choices
Explanation: The story highlights how Mary's choices impact her journey and the outcomes for herself and others around her.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that their choices have consequences, teaching them to consider the effects of their actions on themselves and others.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding different perspectives
Explanation: Mary learns to understand and empathize with different characters, including those who initially seem frightening or unkind.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to practice empathy in real life, aiding them in understanding and respecting diverse perspectives and backgrounds.