Miss Happiness and Miss Flower by Rumer Godden (2002, Paperback)

My seven-year-old daughter and I bought this out-of-print book for our mother-daughter book club. I wasn't too sure about reading a book written 45 years ago, about a girl newly arrived from India, who receives two Japanese dolls. Just didn't sound all that interesting to me.... However, the book is set in England (I'm a huge anglophile!) and it really had a universal appeal-- the girl is far from home, and feels outside the situation, homesick and heartsick. The arrival of the dolls changes everything, and gives her a way to connect with those around her, as her idea to make the dolls comfortable and "at home" gives her a purpose and makes her feel "at home". Overall a very enjoyable book, that I would say is about a 1st through 4th grade level. (Our 1st grade club is comprised of advanced readers). Definitely recommended, if somewhat hard to find.