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Double Spell
“Ever since we’ve had this doll,” Elizabeth said hesitantly, “we’ve had funny things happen – the same dreams and knowing things and stuff like that.”
Twins Jane and Elizabeth are twelve years old and have outgrown dolls. Nevertheless, on a cold wet spring Saturday they find themselves in an antique store, inexplicably drawn to a small, tattered old fashioned doll. Even the owner of the store seems to understand that the doll somehow belongs to the girls.
Once the twins buy the doll, stranger and stranger things begin to happen, and a young girl from the past seems to be calling out to them. The search to discover the history of the little doll brings the twins terrifyingly close to the world of the supernatural as they finally solve a tantalizing mystery.
Janet Lunn’s first novel, long unavailable, is republished in a fresh, beautiful edition.
Twins Jane and Elizabeth are twelve years old and have outgrown dolls. Nevertheless, on a cold wet spring Saturday they find themselves in an antique store, inexplicably drawn to a small, tattered old fashioned doll. Even the owner of the store seems to understand that the doll somehow belongs to the girls.
Once the twins buy the doll, stranger and stranger things begin to happen, and a young girl from the past seems to be calling out to them. The search to discover the history of the little doll brings the twins terrifyingly close to the world of the supernatural as they finally solve a tantalizing mystery.
Janet Lunn’s first novel, long unavailable, is republished in a fresh, beautiful edition.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
2 people are currently reading
266 people want to read
About the author
Janet Lunn
30 books35 followersJanet was born Janet Louise Swoboda on December 28, 1928 in Dallas, Texas, U.S.A, moved to Vermont when she was two and lived there until she was ten when the family moved to the outskirts of New York City. She came to Canada in 1946 to go to Notre Dame College in Ottawa and then to Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. There she met and married Richard Lunn, a fellow student. She has lived in Canada ever since. Janet has five children, ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her husband died in 1987.
"Those," she says, "are the bare bones of my life story. The part that's interesting to readers has to do with reading, writing and daydreaming which are all, in my case, one and the same." She calls herself a dedicated daydreamer and says she has been that, "almost from the moment I was born. Even before I could read I was dreaming up stories. The sound of the wind in the ancient pine tree outside my window in our old farmhouse accompanied all my childhood imaginings. When I was in my teens and living far from that beloved home, I began writing stories with the sound of that tree still singing in my head."
Years later, in Canada, when her children were in their school years, the Lunn family went to live in an old farmhouse at the edge of a bay on the north shore of Lake Ontario. "I loved that house, too, she says, "and I began writing stories about it and the people who might once have lived in it. The stories I made up about the Vermont house have long since vanished but the ones I wrote about the Ontario-house families are The Root Cellar, Shadow in Hawthorn Bay and The Hollow Tree."
Janet lives in Ottawa now in a small city house but, chances are, her stories will still reflect her love of the countryside and those old farmhouses.
"Those," she says, "are the bare bones of my life story. The part that's interesting to readers has to do with reading, writing and daydreaming which are all, in my case, one and the same." She calls herself a dedicated daydreamer and says she has been that, "almost from the moment I was born. Even before I could read I was dreaming up stories. The sound of the wind in the ancient pine tree outside my window in our old farmhouse accompanied all my childhood imaginings. When I was in my teens and living far from that beloved home, I began writing stories with the sound of that tree still singing in my head."
Years later, in Canada, when her children were in their school years, the Lunn family went to live in an old farmhouse at the edge of a bay on the north shore of Lake Ontario. "I loved that house, too, she says, "and I began writing stories about it and the people who might once have lived in it. The stories I made up about the Vermont house have long since vanished but the ones I wrote about the Ontario-house families are The Root Cellar, Shadow in Hawthorn Bay and The Hollow Tree."
Janet lives in Ottawa now in a small city house but, chances are, her stories will still reflect her love of the countryside and those old farmhouses.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 10, 2023
The incomparable, wondrously atmospheric Janet Lunn lived to be age 88 in 2017. She was dedicated to the happiness and education of children and is an instant favourite of mine, discovered while collecting ghost stories recently in my 40s. Prolific is an inadequate adjective. She edited paranormal non-fiction, co-authored Canadian history, penned vibrant and unforgettable historical fiction, and is equally beloved for toddlers’ picture books. She has 5 children: Eric, Jeff, Alec, Kate, John; 10 Grandchildren; and 10 Great-Grandchildren.
She observed “Children’s books are not treated as serious literature. No matter what field you’re in, if you work for kids, you’re at the bottom on the totem pole.”
She was born in Texas, lived in Vermont and New York, and stayed in Ontario after going to university there. She fell in love with Canada and her husband, Richard. In 1988 she won Governor General’s Literary Awards for “Shadow In Hawthorn Bay” and “The Hollow Tree”, the Vicky Metcalfe Award For Literature For Young People, and the Matt Cohen Award: In Celebration Of A Writing Life. In 1996, she was a recipient of the Order Of Ontario, and in 1997, she was named to the Order Of Canada. In 1972, Janet was the first children’s editor in Canada for Clarke Irwin, heading their children’s publishing program.
I did not guess “Double Spell” 1968, is her first novel. This mystery is unique, suspenseful, and hinges upon Toronto architecture! I have looked forward to telling readers about it and the famous “The Root Cellar”, both read by me recently in 2022.
Twelve year-old twins Jane & Elizabeth experience phenomena, such as dreaming the same dream, after buying an antique doll. Not coincidentally, it is linked to the Aunt’s house they have moved into. Sad history and spiritual reconciliation are all plotted together poignantly.
She observed “Children’s books are not treated as serious literature. No matter what field you’re in, if you work for kids, you’re at the bottom on the totem pole.”
She was born in Texas, lived in Vermont and New York, and stayed in Ontario after going to university there. She fell in love with Canada and her husband, Richard. In 1988 she won Governor General’s Literary Awards for “Shadow In Hawthorn Bay” and “The Hollow Tree”, the Vicky Metcalfe Award For Literature For Young People, and the Matt Cohen Award: In Celebration Of A Writing Life. In 1996, she was a recipient of the Order Of Ontario, and in 1997, she was named to the Order Of Canada. In 1972, Janet was the first children’s editor in Canada for Clarke Irwin, heading their children’s publishing program.
I did not guess “Double Spell” 1968, is her first novel. This mystery is unique, suspenseful, and hinges upon Toronto architecture! I have looked forward to telling readers about it and the famous “The Root Cellar”, both read by me recently in 2022.
Twelve year-old twins Jane & Elizabeth experience phenomena, such as dreaming the same dream, after buying an antique doll. Not coincidentally, it is linked to the Aunt’s house they have moved into. Sad history and spiritual reconciliation are all plotted together poignantly.
February 13, 2008
Another outstanding book by this talented Canadian author
February 29, 2016
My all-time favorite childhood novel. I read my copy to pieces. The cover is more tape than paper at this point. Riveting. Page turner. Spooky, touching, and action packed in the exact right proportions for young readers. Anyone with an interest in twin, Ontario, family history, antique dolls, mystery, suspense, and a touch of the supernatural should read this book.
May 20, 2011
I remember seeing this book at a school book sale. Loved the cover, didn't even read the summary and begged my mom to buy it for me. After displaying great persistence in a public setting, she did! It was a great purchase!
April 13, 2015
Twin girls are drawn to an antique doll, and find themselves sucked into a mystery from the past. It's spooky, but not terrifying; just the right chill-factor for the intended age group. The book is a little slow-moving by today's standards. Still, the story is interesting, and the characters well drawn. Plus, I love stories about twins. I read it thinking it was a time-travel story, but although the twins do slip into the past, it happens only briefly. It's more of a ghost story. (Retitled and better known now as Double Spell).
May 23, 2014
I finally found the book that has stayed with me since I read it as a child. I have always loved time travel books and this one didn't disappoint. Reading it as an adult, the plot was thin in spots, but still a highly enjoyable book. It has so many elements that are among my favorites besides time travel: twins, annoying siblings, a wise elder female relative, a mystery...
It's not Harry Potter or The Hunger Games and definitely not Kate diCamillo, but still a fun nostalgic read.
It's not Harry Potter or The Hunger Games and definitely not Kate diCamillo, but still a fun nostalgic read.
September 29, 2009
I guess I am into rereading books from childhood. I remembered the title of this one but not the content. I believe a girl from ages 8-12 would really love this book. For me as an adult, it was a lot more simplistic and not as entertaining as when I reread Charlotte Sometimes.
May 7, 2008
This is one of the first books I remember my mom reading to me that she loved as a child.
August 14, 2010
I read this creepy ghost story over and over and over. Last time was 1991 and you know what - it still held up! Great chilling fun.
March 27, 2011
One of my favorite books to read as a kid. And even now.
July 28, 2012
A supernatural mystery and one of my favorite books as a kid.
August 10, 2022
I loved this book. Awesome story. I am excited to introduce this book to my daughter in a few years.
January 14, 2009
A very loved book of my child-hood. A ghost story set in Toronto with a old mystery the twelve year old twins - Jane and Elizabeth - must solve. (The book was re-titled and is more commonly known as Double Spell.)
January 24, 2011
This might have been my second gothic novel, right after Jane-Emily. Interesting story set in Toronto. I loved feeling the suffocating heat of the summer day and picturing the Victorian houses that the twins studied on their jaunts around the city.
July 2, 2015
Summer reading reminds me of childhood, when I had all the time in the world. Spending a good chunk of time rereading some of my favourites from those days, and this was definitely in the top 5. Such a great story, set in Toronto, and I am always a sucker for an Elizabeth in any book.
June 10, 2010
One of my favorite books that I read over and over again from Mr Colo's 6th grade mini library.
March 1, 2012
Contrary to the details above, this book was actually written by Janet Lunn, and illustrated by Emily McCully. There are 158 numbered pages.
January 23, 2019
Creepy dolls, old houses, twins with dreams that aren't just dreams--vintage YA at its best. Wish I'd had this one as a kid--I would have loved it!
August 4, 2010
Children's book but I liked it, plus it was written by a local author.
September 23, 2022
Appears to have been renamed for the kindle edition, which is weird since the cover says Double Spell. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Creepy short ghost story that's juuuust creepy enough to keep me a little on edge. Maybe a little disjointed but it's engaging. Not much character development unfortunately, but it's so short I think that would've been difficult anyway.
Creepy short ghost story that's juuuust creepy enough to keep me a little on edge. Maybe a little disjointed but it's engaging. Not much character development unfortunately, but it's so short I think that would've been difficult anyway.
January 24, 2023
I read this book because I thought it was a book I remember (vaguely) from childhood, but it's not. Still, though, it was fun and just creepy enough to keep me reading.
A little of the plot is hazy, and the language is a bit old-fashioned. But if you love a creepy read that is totally appropriate for middle schoolers and above, this one is great!
A little of the plot is hazy, and the language is a bit old-fashioned. But if you love a creepy read that is totally appropriate for middle schoolers and above, this one is great!
January 30, 2017
Favorite from my elementary school library. Rereading was a pleasure,
June 4, 2016
Talk about déjâ vu...
I hadn't read this book since I was very small - I think seven or eight years old - and although I had forgotten much of the plot, the atmosphere of the book itself stayed with me all my life. I've been trying to recall and trace the book for years, without managing to do so until the last six months. I'm glad to have found it again.
It's not the most captivating book in the world, even for YA, but the atmosphere, as I've already mentioned, is one that will stick around in your mind, certainly.
The twin protagonists are very reasonably drawn, as are all the other characters, but I feel as an adult that too little time is spent on the historical characters. I understand the impression of their being ghosts, with pieces of the memories they pass on that are distinctly missing, and it's not badly done, but I'd have liked to know more about them. Some questions that Jane and Elizabeth find to ask are never answered in the end, and I suppose that could frustrate them as much as it does me.
Still, the book managed to hang around the back of my mind for nearly a quarter of a century, and I think that suffices to point out why it's worth reading. 4 stars.
I hadn't read this book since I was very small - I think seven or eight years old - and although I had forgotten much of the plot, the atmosphere of the book itself stayed with me all my life. I've been trying to recall and trace the book for years, without managing to do so until the last six months. I'm glad to have found it again.
It's not the most captivating book in the world, even for YA, but the atmosphere, as I've already mentioned, is one that will stick around in your mind, certainly.
The twin protagonists are very reasonably drawn, as are all the other characters, but I feel as an adult that too little time is spent on the historical characters. I understand the impression of their being ghosts, with pieces of the memories they pass on that are distinctly missing, and it's not badly done, but I'd have liked to know more about them. Some questions that Jane and Elizabeth find to ask are never answered in the end, and I suppose that could frustrate them as much as it does me.
Still, the book managed to hang around the back of my mind for nearly a quarter of a century, and I think that suffices to point out why it's worth reading. 4 stars.
April 12, 2015
I vaguely remember reading this, but barely. I seem to have enjoyed it well enough, but it obviously didn't make much of an impact.
If you want to read something by Lunn, go with Shadow in Hawthorne bay. That's one I've read a few times, and always enjoy.
If you want to read something by Lunn, go with Shadow in Hawthorne bay. That's one I've read a few times, and always enjoy.
September 17, 2020
A nice mystery that takes place in 1960s Toronto. Twins Elizabeth and Jane are pulled into a mystery after purchasing an old doll. The girls become sleuths and discover a dark truth about the dolls past.
July 19, 2020
Re-read. One of my favorite childhood books.
April 16, 2017
I was mesmerized by this novel as a child. I recall doing my book report on it in school and writing many pages in excess of the requirement (to the dismay of my classmates who had to hear each student's report read aloud. I was fairly alone in my bookishness or at least in admitting it, in those years.) I loved the magic and the idea of twins. This may have been where my long held lament at not being a twin originated.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews