Behind the Attic Wall is one of my favorite children’s novels of all time. It was a game-changer at the time I read it at the age of 9 or 10 years old. It’s incredibly detailed, emotional, and magical. Definitely unforgettable.
Maggie, a young orphan, gets sent to a boarding school run by some very distant relatives. Maggie is your typical troublemaker. She’s ill-behaved and distraught, but admirably adventurous.
With no friends, and no love lost between the distant relatives running the school, Maggie feels utterly alone most of the time. One afternoon, while exploring the expansive, ancient boarding school, Maggie finds a secret hidden room. Inside this secret room are some very life-like dolls that spend time with Maggie—talking to her and making her feel less alone. It’s there, “behind the attic wall” where Maggie is finally able to learn what real love and friendship are all about.
The premise sounds super creepy, and it is, to be quite frank. But it’s hard not to feel intrigued and enchanted while you’re reading it.
Over the course of the book, Maggie goes from being a distant, troubled little girl to a sweet, loving, and caring young person. The ending of Behind the Attic Wall will make you cry when you finally realize who the dolls are supposed to represent.
Sylvia Cassedy wrote these novels after Behind the Attic Wall:
- M. E. and Morton (1987)
- Lucie Babbidge’s House (1989)
What did you think about Behind the Attic Wall? Is it one of your favorites, too?
Last Updated on February 26, 2026 by Sarah Ann
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