The Olden Days Locket

by Penny Chamberlain

From the moment she first steps off the school bus, 12-year-old Jess is enthralled by Point Ellice House. Although the other students on the tour are just happy to have a day off from school, shy Jess feels she knows what is around every corner and behind every door of the beautifully preserved Victorian home. It's as if she has lived in those rooms before. Her repeated visits and her interest impress the guide in charge, who offers Jess a volunteer summer job. But although she loves sharing her growing knowledge of Point Ellice House, Jess finds herself drawn to lonely spots around the property. There, persistent visions of a girl named Rose take her into the past, to a terrible disaster involving an overcrowded streetcar on the Point Ellice Bridge. Jess holds the key to a mystery that has persisted for more than a hundred years. And now it's up to her to solve it and to ease the troubled spirit who has haunted the area for so long. Inspired by the history of Victoria's Point Ellice House and the worst streetcar disaster in North American history, Penny Chamberlain's novel will grab her audience from the first page. And her imaginative interpretation of strange sightings (sightings that persist to this day) will keep young readers absorbed throughout.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Historical

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Penny Chamberlain loves hearing stories about real-life adventures. In her work as a physiotherapist she has met many people with fascinating tales to tell. One that she will always remember came from an elderly man who confessed to having been a rum-runner in the late 1920s. Inspired by the encounter, Penny learned everything she could about the daring lives of rum-runners, then began writing Chasing the Moon.

Penny was born in Nanaimo, British Columbia, and now lives in Victoria with her husband, Adrian, and their daughter Katie. She loves children's literature and her favourite pastime is reading and writing children's books.

Her first book, The Olden Days Locket, is also juvenile historical fiction. The Olden Days Locket was nominated for a Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Diamond Award, a Red Cedar Award, and a Chocolate Lily Award.

Reviews

[Hyacinth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book to the point where I put the Point Ellice house on my bucket list. The writing was simple, yet clear as it was written for children. I have never been a history buff but if more history books were written like this I could easily become addicted.

I loved the mystical energy of exchange between Rose and Jess. I did not like Cynthia Abbott however. I am so glad I read this book but the cover could have been a tad bit more engaging; I didn't like it and probably would have skipped over it had it not met the page number requirement I was looking for...so it is true, you cannot judge a book by its cover because if I did, I would have missed this jewel.

[Kalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was 10 years old after finding it tucked away in a box. Since then, I've read it four more times. It is really engaging and makes you want to learn more and more about Point Ellis House and the history. I'm surprised it isn't more popular!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read, but very good. Now I really want to visit Point Ellice House one day.

EDIT: I finally got to visit Point Ellice House!!!!!

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short sweet book. Enjoyable writing, characters, and story.

Read it first around high school and still enjoy it a decade later.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting historical fiction based on the Point Ellie Bridge disaster which occurred on May 26, 1896 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Young, 12 year old, Jess likes history and becomes involved in learning more about this disastrous event that killed 55 people in the town her family moved to. Jess is having a hard time fitting in with her new neighborhood but when she becomes interested in the Point
Ellie House, she is haunted by a ghost that helps her learn a lot about the house, history and herself.

This was an interesting Sunday afternoon read. Started & finished this book all in one day including a nice Sunday nap.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a historical fiction junkie. That being said, I think the author did a great job of intertwining stories of two eras. The characters were easy to relate to and good. There is real-life drama and sadness and ghosts, so it would appeal to those who like a thrill. It is really written with tweens in mind, I think, but that didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying this book. I believe my 8-year-old would be too scared by this now but ready for it in two years or so. It is wholesome in that the language and situations don't give me any pause at all to have my daughter read this.

[LuAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Past and present, truth and fiction, reality and fantasy mingle in this combination of historical fiction and ghost story that takes place at an actual historical house museum in Victoria, BC. I really enjoyed the interesting plot and realistic characters that kids can relate to, as well as the fascinating setting of the Point Ellice House and nearby Gorge in Victoria, BC, a house museum with all original content which I had just visited.

[Brittany Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with this beautifully written novel when I was much younger. The story still remains with me. The way its written allows for you to feel like you are in both of the times. Also you easily can connect emotionally with the characters. I still love this wonderful novel.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been looking for this book forever! XDDD I read it in second/third grade and couldn't remember the title.

I thought it was something like "The Golden Locket," which is I guess what you get from "olden days locket" after seven years.

[Anna (The Bursting Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! One of my few complaints was the cover. I wasn't such a fan of it.

[Asia · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked this book