What is Lundinor, and how does it differ from the 'Above' world?

Lundinor is a secret, underground city where ordinary objects possess extraordinary magical properties, known as Uncommons. Unlike the 'Above' world, where items are mundane, Lundinorians rely on these enchanted objects for daily life, defense, and unique abilities.

Who are some of the key allies Ivy and Seb encounter in Lundinor?

In Lundinor, Ivy and Seb are aided by characters like Captain Humbug, a gruff but kind airship pilot, and the members of the Society for the Protection of Uncommon Objects. They also eventually connect with their family's long-lost relatives who reside there.

What is the significance of the 'Crooked Sixpence' mentioned in the title?

The Crooked Sixpence is a legendary Uncommon object, an ancient coin imbued with immense power and a central element of the Sparrow family's heritage. Its discovery is crucial to stopping the forces of evil and unraveling the family's secret.

Who is the main antagonist Ivy and Seb must face in Lundinor?

The primary antagonist is the villainous Ringmaster, a powerful and ruthless individual who seeks to acquire all Uncommons, especially the Crooked Sixpence, for his own nefarious purposes. He commands a formidable array of henchmen and enchanted objects.

How is Officer Tooth connected to the world of Lundinor, despite appearing as a regular policeman?

Officer Tooth is revealed to be a member of the Lundinor police force, a 'Constable of the Uncommon', who was investigating the initial disturbance at the Sparrow's house. His use of a toilet brush as a weapon is an example of an Uncommon object in disguise.

What is the true nature of Sylvie, Ivy and Seb's grandmother, and her past involvement with Lundinor?

Sylvie is revealed to be a former resident of Lundinor and a key figure in the history of the Crooked Sixpence and the Sparrow family's connection to it. Her hospitalization is not merely an illness but a consequence of the unfolding events and her past actions.

Are there any subtle clues early in the 'Above' world chapters that hint at the existence of Uncommons?

Yes, subtle hints include the unusual way objects behave around Sylvie, and the general 'quirkiness' of their house. The rapid, almost magical, appearance of Officer Tooth also foreshadows the existence of an unseen, magical world.

What role does the 'Society for the Protection of Uncommon Objects' play in the narrative?

The Society acts as a guardian of Lundinor's secrets and its precious Uncommons, working to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. They become vital allies to Ivy and Seb, providing information, resources, and protection as the children navigate the city.

How does Ivy's initial skepticism and Seb's pragmatism influence their adaptation to Lundinor?

Ivy, initially more imaginative, adapts surprisingly quickly, embracing the wonder of Uncommons, while Seb, the more logical and cynical brother, struggles with disbelief. This contrast highlights their individual coping mechanisms and growth throughout their adventure.

What psychological impact does discovering their family's secret history have on Ivy and Seb?

Discovering their family's deep connection to Lundinor and the Crooked Sixpence gives them a sense of belonging and purpose, but also a heavy burden of responsibility. It forces them to re-evaluate their identity and their place in the world.

How do Ivy and Seb overcome their sibling rivalry to work together effectively?

Their shared peril and the immense stakes in Lundinor force Ivy and Seb to set aside their petty squabbles. They learn to value each other's strengths – Ivy's quick thinking and Seb's resourcefulness – realizing that their combined efforts are essential for survival and success.

In what ways does the Ringmaster's motivation reflect a common human desire, albeit twisted?

The Ringmaster's desire to collect and control all Uncommons can be interpreted as a corrupted pursuit of power and significance. He seeks to impose order and mastery over a world he perceives as chaotic, a common human desire amplified to villainous proportions.

Is the 'uncommon' nature of objects in Lundinor merely magic, or is there a deeper philosophical implication?

While magical, the 'uncommon' nature can also be interpreted as a metaphor for finding wonder and potential in the mundane. It suggests that with a shift in perspective, even ordinary objects can hold extraordinary meaning and power, reflecting a deeper appreciation for the world around us.

What themes of family and legacy are explored through the Sparrow family's connection to the Crooked Sixpence?

The book explores themes of inherited responsibility, the weight of family secrets, and the enduring bonds that tie generations together. Ivy and Seb learn that their past defines their present challenges, and their future depends on understanding and embracing their heritage.

Could Lundinor be seen as a commentary on the hidden worlds and stories that exist beneath the surface of our everyday lives?

Absolutely. Lundinor represents the idea that there are untold stories and unseen realities coexisting with our familiar world. It encourages readers to look beyond the obvious and consider the mysteries that might lie just out of sight, suggesting a richer, more complex reality.

What is the significance of the contrast between the 'Above' world's normalcy and Lundinor's fantastical elements?

This contrast emphasizes the transformative power of discovery and imagination. It highlights how quickly ordinary lives can become extraordinary when one opens up to new possibilities, and how even the most mundane settings can harbor incredible secrets.

How does the book encourage readers to question what is 'normal' or 'impossible'?

By introducing a world where a toilet brush is a weapon and a belt allows flight, the book playfully dismantles preconceived notions of normalcy. It challenges readers to embrace wonder and consider that what seems impossible might simply be undiscovered or misunderstood.

The Crooked Sixpence Summary by Jennifer Bell | BookBrief

Name: The Crooked Sixpence
Availability: InStock
Rating: 3.89 (2221 reviews)
ISBN: 9780553498455

When their grandmother's mysterious past pulls them into Lundinor, a secret city where everyday objects wield extraordinary magic, Ivy and Seb must uncover a hidden family treasure before a whimsical yet dangerous evil overtakes their uncommon world.

Synopsis

When their grandmother Sylvie is hospitalized, siblings Ivy and Seb Sparrow's world changes. Their home is ransacked, and a strange policeman tries to arrest them with a toilet brush. They escape into Lundinor, a secret underground city where common objects have magical powers—belts grant flight, yo-yos become weapons, and buttons heal. Here, they learn their family's connection to a legendary 'uncommon treasure.' As the Crooked Sixpence Hunters close in, Ivy and Seb must find Sylvie's hidden past, decipher clues, and locate the treasure. They face betrayal and a confrontation with the villain, ultimately using the power of the Crooked Sixpence to protect Lundinor and ensure Sylvie's safe return.

Reading time

240 min

Difficulty

Easy

Pacing

Fast

Mood

Whimsical, Adventurous, Mysterious, Fun

✓ Read this if...

You enjoy whimsical, fast-paced middle-grade mysteries with magical objects and a secret city.

✗ Skip this if...

You prefer gritty realism or slow-burn character studies.

Plot Summary

The Hospital Visit and the Ransacking

Ivy Sparrow, a resourceful girl, and her older brother Seb are home when their grandmother, Sylvie, falls and is rushed to the hospital. While their parents are with Sylvie, Ivy and Seb are alone. That evening, unknown intruders ransack their house, searching for something. The children hide and watch. Soon after, a peculiar policeman, Officer Hemlock, arrives, not to help, but to arrest them, using a toilet brush as a weapon. This strange encounter makes Ivy and Seb realize that their grandmother's accident and the break-in are part of a larger, more dangerous secret.

Escape to Lundinor

Cornered by Officer Hemlock, who thinks they are criminals, Ivy and Seb escape. They follow clues left by their grandmother, which lead them to a hidden entrance under London. They fall into Lundinor, a secret, busy underground city built from repurposed ordinary objects that have magical powers. Here, they find various 'Uncommon' items and the people who use them, such as flying belts and healing buttons. The impossibility of Lundinor immediately shows the children that their understanding of the world was limited, and their grandmother's life was more complex than they imagined.

The Guild of Uncommon Things

In Lundinor, Ivy and Seb are taken in by friendly Uncommons who explain their hidden society's history and rules. They learn about the Guild of Uncommon Things, the group that protects and regulates enchanted objects. The children discover that their family, the Sparrows, are known in Lundinor and are connected to a legendary, powerful Uncommon treasure: the Crooked Sixpence. This information clarifies Sylvie's accident and the ransacking of their home, suggesting the intruders were searching for this treasure, believing Sylvie had it or knew its location.

The Threat of the Crooked Sixpence Hunters

Ivy and Seb quickly learn that the Crooked Sixpence is not just a legend; it is an object of great power, able to control all other Uncommon items. A dangerous group, the Crooked Sixpence Hunters, led by a ruthless villain, is actively seeking it. This group stops at nothing to get the treasure, and their pursuit of Sylvie and then the children confirms their evil intentions. The children understand that Lundinor's fate, and possibly the world's, depends on stopping the Hunters from finding the Sixpence. They must now help in the search, not just to protect themselves, but to protect Lundinor.

Uncovering Sylvie's Secrets

As Ivy and Seb navigate Lundinor, they piece together clues left by their grandmother, Sylvie. These clues, hidden in ordinary objects and coded messages, reveal Sylvie's past as a prominent Guild member and her involvement in protecting the Crooked Sixpence. They discover that Sylvie had been guarding knowledge about the treasure's location for years, expecting the Hunters to eventually come for it. Her foresight and planning give the children a clear path forward in their quest, showing her as a protector and a mentor, even when absent.

The Quest for Clues

Guided by Sylvie's clues and helped by new allies from Lundinor, Ivy and Seb begin a dangerous quest. Their journey takes them through hidden corners and districts of the underground city, each with unique Uncommon items and challenges. They must solve riddles, decipher coded messages, and outwit the Crooked Sixpence Hunters, who are always close behind. During this quest, Ivy's observation skills and Seb's logical thinking are essential, helping them overcome obstacles and learn to trust each other's strengths.

The Betrayal and the Race Against Time

Just as Ivy and Seb think they are close to the Crooked Sixpence, they uncover a betrayal within Lundinor's ranks. A character they trusted is working with the Crooked Sixpence Hunters, giving them information about the children's progress. This betrayal puts Ivy and Seb in greater danger and breaks their trust, making them question who they can rely on. The revelation increases the urgency, as the Hunters now have an advantage, forcing the children to speed up their efforts and take bigger risks.

Confrontation with the Villain

The children's quest ends in a direct confrontation with the leader of the Crooked Sixpence Hunters. This showdown happens in a key location, where Lundinor's fate is uncertain. The villain reveals their motives and their long obsession with controlling Uncommon items, showing the extent of their ambition. Ivy and Seb must use all their new knowledge, their bond, and the Uncommon items they have found to stand against this powerful enemy, showing their growth and determination against great odds.

The Power of the Crooked Sixpence

During the final confrontation, the Crooked Sixpence is found, and its true power is unleashed. It is not just a controller of Uncommon items but an object that can manipulate magic itself, making it very dangerous in the wrong hands. The children see the destructive potential of the Sixpence. They understand that having it means great responsibility, and its power is far greater than they first imagined. This revelation highlights the importance of their mission and the catastrophic results if it falls into the villain's control.

The Resolution and Sylvie's Return

Through quick thinking, courage, and some luck, Ivy and Seb stop the villain and secure the Crooked Sixpence, preventing it from falling into the wrong hands. They ensure its safety within the Guild, protecting Lundinor from its immense power. With the immediate threat resolved, they return to their grandmother, Sylvie, who recovers in the hospital. While the children have saved Lundinor, the experience has changed them, opening their eyes to a secret world and their own potential, giving them a deeper understanding of their family's legacy and their place within it.

Principal Figures

Ivy Sparrow

The Protagonist

Ivy transforms from a seemingly ordinary child into a brave and capable adventurer, fully embracing her family's legacy and her own potential.

Seb Sparrow

The Protagonist/Supporting

Seb moves from skepticism and a desire for normalcy to accepting and actively participating in the magical world, embracing his role as a protector.

Sylvie Sparrow

The Supporting/Mentor (indirect)

Sylvie's character arc is revealed retrospectively, showing her transition from a prominent protector to a guardian who strategically safeguards secrets for the next generation.

Officer Hemlock

The Antagonist (initial)/Comic Relief

Hemlock remains largely static in his eccentric role, serving as a recurring comedic and sometimes hindering presence.

The Villain (Leader of Crooked Sixpence Hunters)

The Antagonist

The villain's arc is one of escalating ambition and ruthlessness, culminating in their ultimate defeat.

The Betrayer

The Antagonist/Supporting

The betrayer's arc reveals their true allegiance and culminates in their exposure and downfall.

The Guild Members

The Supporting

The Guild members largely represent the steadfast forces of good, their arc tied to the ongoing struggle to protect Lundinor.

Themes & Insights

The Hidden Magic of the Mundane

This theme explores the idea that magic can be found in ordinary objects and places, often overlooked. Lundinor itself is built from repurposed everyday items, given incredible powers. A belt allows flight, a yo-yo becomes a weapon, and buttons heal. This theme challenges the characters and the reader to look beyond the surface, to find wonder and potential in what seems common. For example, Sylvie's clues are hidden in seemingly harmless household items, revealing their secret meaning.

““The most extraordinary things are often hidden in plain sight, if only you know how to look.””

Family Legacy and Identity

The story emphasizes how family history and secrets shape identity and destiny. Ivy and Seb enter Lundinor because of their grandmother Sylvie's past involvement with the Guild and the Crooked Sixpence. They discover that their family name, Sparrow, has significance and responsibility within this hidden world. The children must deal with this inherited legacy, understanding that their actions are not just for themselves but also to honor and continue their family's protective role. This theme explores the weight of inheritance and the discovery of a deeper, more magical identity.

““Some families carry secrets not in their pockets, but in their very blood.””

Trust and Betrayal

As Ivy and Seb navigate Lundinor, trust becomes essential. They must learn whom to trust among the many new faces, some helpful, others with hidden motives. The betrayal by a seemingly trusted ally highlights how fragile trust is and the impact of deceit. This forces the children to become more discerning and resilient, understanding that appearances can be misleading, and true loyalty is earned. This theme is central to the increasing stakes and emotional challenges of their quest.

““In a world where ordinary things held magic, it was sometimes the ordinary people who held the greatest deceptions.””

Courage in the Face of the Unknown

Ivy and Seb, initially ordinary children, face a world alien to them, full of magic, danger, and unknown enemies. Their journey shows courage when faced with overwhelming and terrifying circumstances. They overcome fear of the unknown, the threat of the Crooked Sixpence Hunters, and the task of protecting an entire hidden city. Their courage is not about lacking fear, but about acting despite it, growing stronger with each challenge and mystery they solve.

““Courage isn't the absence of fear, but the decision that something else is more important than fear.””

Plot Devices & Literary Techniques

The Crooked Sixpence

A legendary, powerful Uncommon item capable of controlling all other magical objects.

The Crooked Sixpence serves as the central MacGuffin of the story. Its immense power makes it the ultimate prize for both the protagonists and antagonists. Its existence drives the entire plot, from Sylvie's accident to the ransacking of the house and the subsequent chase across Lundinor. The Sixpence's nature as a controller of Uncommon items raises the stakes, as its falling into the wrong hands would mean absolute dominion over Lundinor's magic. Its mystery and power fuel the narrative's tension and urgency.

Uncommon Items

Ordinary objects imbued with extraordinary magical properties in Lundinor.

Uncommon items are a crucial element of world-building and plot progression. They are everyday objects like belts, yo-yos, and buttons that possess unique magical abilities (flight, weaponry, healing). These items introduce the fantastical elements of Lundinor and provide the means for characters to interact with their environment and overcome challenges. They function as both tools and sources of wonder, constantly reminding the reader of the hidden magic within the mundane and providing creative solutions to problems encountered by Ivy and Seb.

Clues and Riddles

A series of cryptic messages and objects left by Sylvie to guide Ivy and Seb.

Sylvie's carefully placed clues and riddles act as a breadcrumb trail for Ivy and Seb, guiding them through Lundinor and towards the Crooked Sixpence. This device provides structure to the children's quest, moving the plot forward by revealing information incrementally. It also highlights Sylvie's intelligence and foresight, establishing her as a clever, proactive mentor even in her absence. The solving of these puzzles engages the reader and allows Ivy's observational skills and Seb's logic to shine, showcasing their individual strengths.

The Hidden City of Lundinor

A secret, magical underground city built from repurposed ordinary objects.

Lundinor functions as both a setting and a central plot device. Its existence creates the entire magical world the Sparrows discover, representing the hidden layer of reality. As a physical location, it provides diverse environments for the quest, from bustling markets to shadowy alleys. Its nature as a place built from 'uncommon' ordinary objects reinforces the theme of finding magic in the mundane, and its secrecy explains why the modern world is unaware of its existence, allowing for the fantasy elements to unfold without contradiction.

Critical analysis

Notable Quotes

“There are some things in the world that are just too peculiar to be explained by ordinary means.”

— Lily thinking about the strange happenings around her uncle's shop.

“The city of Lundon was a place of secrets, where every alleyway held a whisper and every building a hidden truth.”

— Narrator describing the magical, hidden version of London.

“A good story, like a good map, always has a few unexpected turns.”

— Uncle Jack explaining the nature of adventure to Lily.

“Sometimes the things you’re looking for are right in front of you, just disguised a little.”

— Lily struggling to find a hidden clue.

“Fear is a funny thing. It can make you run, or it can make you fight.”

— Lily confronting a dangerous situation.

“The most ordinary objects can hold the most extraordinary magic, if you only know where to look.”

— A character explaining the nature of magical artifacts.

“Family isn't always about blood. Sometimes it's about the people who stand by you, no matter what.”

— Lily reflecting on her new friends and allies.

“Even the smallest coin can turn the biggest tide.”

— Referring to the significance of the Crooked Sixpence itself.

“Adventure doesn't wait for you to be ready. It just happens.”

— Lily realizing she's been swept into a magical quest.

“Every object has a story, if you're willing to listen.”

— Uncle Jack explaining how he learns about magical artifacts.

“The greatest treasure isn't always gold or jewels, but the knowledge you gain along the way.”

— Lily reflecting on her journey and discoveries.

“Sometimes you have to break a few rules to do the right thing.”

— Lily making a difficult decision to help her friends.

“Lundon always finds a way to surprise you, even when you think you know all its tricks.”

— A seasoned resident of Lundon commenting on the city's unpredictable nature.

“The past isn't always buried. Sometimes it's just waiting for someone to find it.”

— Lily uncovering secrets about her family and Lundon's history.

Quiz

Test Your Knowledge

Ready to see how well you understood this book? Take our interactive quiz with 10 questions.

10

Questions

~5

Minutes

?

Best Score

Key Questions (FAQ)

Ivy and Seb are thrust into Lundinor after their grandmother Sylvie is hospitalized and their home is ransacked by mysterious intruders. A peculiar policeman, Officer Tooth, attempts to arrest them with a toilet brush, forcing their escape and accidental discovery of the Uncommon world.

About the author

Jennifer Bell

Biography coming soon.

Similar books

Explore more FICTION books