Growing Pains

The themes of friendship and the transition from childhood to adolescence is an ongoing theme throughout Doll Bones. Poppy, Zach and Alice have been friends for years, playing together for so long that they have created an entire make-believe world in which each of them manages several characters and their background stories. Called 'the game', the three friends play as often as possible, despite the fact that all three of them are reaching an age where playing games of make-believe are supplanted by school activities, group outings, dating and more adult activities.

Although Zach has begun playing basketball at school, and sometimes struggles to get himself into the frame of mind to play the game, he still feels as though he will play the game forever if possible, and Poppy and Alice both share his sentiments on that subject. Despite that, Alice has developed stronger...