"Four months in bed! The doctor had said Melissa must stay in bed for four months until her broken hip heals. Time moves unbearably slowly until Mother brings home a tiny doll family. From the very first day, Melissa and the dolls understand each other. Then young cousin Valerie visits from her family's plantation, nearly ruined during the recent Civil War. She tells about a chest of gold that has disappeared from its hiding place - without it her family home will be lost. It is up to the dolls to find a clue to the hidden gold - and somehow make Melissa hear their message." - cover.

I found it intriguing that the dolls both have personalities of their own and reflect the personalities of their owners as Melissa's dolls and Valerie's doll play out the conflicts between the girls. ( )