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, now available in paperback.
Praise for The Door by the Staircase Well-drawn characters, an original setting, and a satisfying resolution are the ingredients that make this carefully crafted middle-grade adventure a highly rewarding read.
-Kirkus Reviews, starred review Marsh has crafted a sparkling tale full of adventure, magic, and folklore.
-School Library Journal, starred review An] engaging, almost cinematic story .
-The Wall Street Journal Praise for Jepp, Who Defied the Stars New York Times Notable Children's Books of 2012The Wall Street Journal Best Children's Books of 2012 Narrating a young adult novel from a dwarf's perspective is nothing short of inspired.
Marsh transcends genre to create an engaging narrative complex enough to keep not-so-young adults turning its pages.
-The New York Times Book Review This shining gem is a must-have.
-School Library Journal, starred review an epic search for love, family, respect, and a destiny of one's own making.
-Publishers Weekly, starred review Incorporating elements of adventure, romance, tragedy, intrigue.
Disney-hyperion The door by the staircase, paperback/katherine marsh
