Someone's Watching, Someone's Waiting

by Jamila Gavin, Tre Lewis

When Emma goes to stay with her aunt and uncle in old Cote's Hall, she anticipates a holiday of boredom. But things begin to change when she discovers a beautiful doll that is uncannily real. Gavin also wrote "Grandpa Chatterji" and "The Wheel of Surya."

96 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1998

About the author

Jamila Gavin was born in Mussoorie, India, in the foothills of the Himalayas, to an Indian father and an English mother. Jamila has written many books with multicultural themes for children and young adults. She won the Whitbread Children’s Book Award in 2000 and was runner-up for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize. Her work has been adapted for stage and television. Jamila Gavin lives in England.

Reviews

[Lauren James]

I found an old excel document of all the books I read when I was a kid, and this was on it, so I'll let my 9 year old self review it for you:

"quite good, 2/10"

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a children's story with a difference and what an ending. Even though I must admit I had the Rockwell halloween song going through my head and nightmarish visions of The Woman in Black by Susan Hill from the mention of the first character the story was actually good.The writing flowed and the plot has enough mystery to it to keep it going. As a keen horror fan it wasn't to scary but as an introduction to ghost stories for children I think it would be great

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book probably a decade ago but when people ask what my favourite book was as a child, it is instantly this one. I remember being in year 4 and reading this for the first time and being completely spooked! But also so captivated and curious. This book really brought out the curiosity in my brain and made me enjoy creepy dolls. I think if any child in ks2 is wanting to read a fiction horror that is suitable for children but also still creepy - this would be perfect.

[Carol-Ann Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as a child and was pleased to come across a copy recently. I remember it being longer but that will be a childs perspective. It's stood the test of time, still creepy and I would have loved a sequel, then and now. I definitely recommend it for a child's first ghost story.

[Margaret McCulloch-Keeble · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading this with some kids at the school I work in and I have to say that for a kids book it is genuinely one of the creepiest books I've come across.

[Christopher Trend · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spooky. A mysterious story with a nice twist at the end. I found the plot a bit jumpy. A slightly longer book might have helped with that.

[dinah chuuu · Rating 3 out of 5]

scary as hell

[Wren James]

I found an old excel document of all the books I read when I was a kid, and this was on it, so I'll let my 9 year old self review it for you:

"quite good, 2/10"

[Niamh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favourite book as a child; I read it so many times! I used to hate reading and this book was a game changer for me. This is the book that made me realised reading could be enjoyable. I loved it so much that horror became my favourite genre throughout my childhood and into my teenage years. 😊

[Graham]

A bit scary at times but it's a very good book to read. Being a Fiction book it's great. As you read it, you might see it as if you have jumped into the book yourself, ( it's like Harry Potter being in Tom Riddle's Diary ), So if you're into light hearted scary stuff then, Go for it. Enjoy.
I have read this book a 2nd time and is just as good as the first time reading it.

[Michelle Boston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for children 9+ an easy read and I was eager to get to the end. Shh no spoilers from me!