The Puppets of Spelhorst

Kate DiCamillo

46 pages 1-hour read

Kate DiCamillo

The Puppets of Spelhorst

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2023

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

The Girl is a puppet manufactured with striking violet eyes and a heart-shaped face. She pays close attention to the natural world, maintaining a specific fascination with the moon. During arguments among the toys, she acts as a mediator and insists that the five of them belong together as a unit.

Key Relationships

Companion of Boy

Companion of Wolf

Companion of King

Companion of Owl

Favored by Jane

Purchased by Spelhorst

Owned by Emma

The Boy is a puppet who believes he is destined to achieve greatness. He remembers the puppet maker telling him he has a specific purpose, and he longs to fulfill it by performing an important deed. He carries his toy weapons as a constant reminder of this impending destiny.

Key Relationships

Companion of Girl

Companion of Wolf

Companion of King

Companion of Owl

Played with by Martha

Owned by Emma

The Wolf is a wooden puppet fiercely proud of her fearsome reputation. She frequently boasts about her sharp teeth and wishes to instill fear in others. She harbors an intense dream of running freely through a snowy forest, participating in a wild hunt where she functions as both predator and prey.

Key Relationships

Companion of Girl

Companion of Boy

Companion of King

Companion of Owl

Damaged by Martha

Owned by Emma

The King is a regal puppet wearing a crown. He expects his royal status to be acknowledged by humans and toys alike. He carries a deep appreciation for music, remembering a beautiful song from his time in the toy shop, and he longs to command a kingdom where singing happens constantly.

Key Relationships

Companion of Girl

Companion of Boy

Companion of Wolf

Companion of Owl

Owned by Emma

Purchased by Uncle

The Owl is a toy constructed with real feathers. He holds a reputation among the group for offering philosophical statements. He harbors a silent desire to experience true flight, constantly remembering a living bird he once watched outside the shop window.

Key Relationships

Companion of Girl

Companion of Boy

Companion of Wolf

Companion of King

Temporarily misplaced by Jane

Owned by Emma

Jane is a young housemaid. She approaches her daily cleaning duties with a practical mindset but secretly harbors childhood dreams of traveling down a river to see the world. Her mother gave her a sturdy name to prepare her for a harsh life, but Jane possesses a strong imagination and a beautiful singing voice.

Key Relationships

Employee of family of Emma

Employee of family of Martha

Caretaker of Girl

Caretaker of Owl

Employee of family of Uncle

Emma is the older sister in the household. She takes an immediate interest in organizing the newly acquired toys and maintaining their safety. She possesses a natural talent for storytelling and drafts a theatrical production for the five figures to perform for her family.

Key Relationships

Older sister of Martha

Niece of Uncle

Employer of Jane

Owner of Girl

Owner of Boy

Owner of Wolf

Owner of King

Owner of Owl

Martha is Emma's younger sister. She handles the new toys roughly and takes a particular interest in the fearsome appearance of the wolf. She struggles to maintain focus during games and frequently discards objects on the floor when she grows bored with them.

Key Relationships

Younger sister of Emma

Niece of Uncle

Employer of Jane

Mistreater of Wolf

Temporary player with Boy

Owner of Girl

Supporting Characters

Spelhorst is an elderly former sea captain who lives an isolated existence. He spends his days wandering the town or resting in bed when his health fails. He spent his youth seeking glory across the ocean, abandoning his past life and the woman he loved in the process.

Key Relationships

Former romantic partner of Annalise

Purchaser of Girl

Annalise is a woman from Spelhorst's youth who possesses striking violet eyes. She loved the sea captain before he chose to leave their hometown in pursuit of worldly success.

Key Relationships

Former romantic partner of Spelhorst

The generous relative of Emma and Martha. He purchases the set of five figures from a street vendor to give to his nieces. He assists the children with setting up their room for a performance, providing encouragement and lighting for their play.

Key Relationships

Uncle of Emma

Uncle of Martha

Employer of Jane

Customer of Rag-and-Bone Man

A traveling junk dealer who acquires discarded items. He sings a distinct song about finding value in unwanted objects as he drives his wagon through the streets, eventually selling the trunk to a new buyer.

Key Relationships

Vendor to Uncle