The Secret Garden

by James Howe and Frances Hodgson Burnett

Book Overview

The story of an unhappy little girl, her invalid cousin, and the healing power of friendship and love. Reading level- 4.8.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679847510
• ISBN13: 9780679847519
• Release Date: August 1993
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.2" x 7.4"
• Age Range: 6 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 4

Customer Reviews

The Secret Garden

I read The Secret Gerden when I was in the fifth grade. The book was a combination of realistic fiction and mystery. I was always looking for clues to explain the next chapter.I was so engrossed in the book that I read 30 pages every half an hour! The whole plot of The Secret Garden was about a girl named Mary Lennox, an orphaned, disagreable looking, girl, who needed some action in her life. And she reached her goal. She was ten when she moved to her Uncle's house on a moor in Yorkshire. One of the housemaids, Martha, showed her around, and told Mary stories about her family that Mary enjoyed. On of Martha's brothers, Dickon, was an animal charmer and a nice, perfect boy who Mary fancyed that Mary finally met. He helped her uncover and bring to life a huge secret.This secret can not be shared with you, you'll have to find out yourself.Mean while, when Mary was sleeping at night, a childs cry woke her up. On day she investigated the noise. She found another secret on her way, a secret corrider. Will Mary find out who is screaming? If so, what should she do about it? Will Dickon and Mary succeed in bringing the secret alive? I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading exciting adventures. My opinion on The Secret Garden is that out of five stars I would give it 5 stars, because it was so fun to read, and I didn't want to stop!

For those who value fine childrens literature

Who won't like this book? Well... I know that some parents these days feel it is a boring book which requires to much of an attention span. But children need and benefit from classics like this which require thought and which have a profound and telling message. It is a must read book for any family who values the classics and who feels that children need a balance of computer, sports and quality reading material. Set in Misselthwaite Manor on the Yorkshire moors, Mary Lennox who has been orphaned arrives from India at her uncle Mr. Archibald Craven's home where she discovers a cousin Colin who is sickly and spoiled. ALmost as much as she is. In time Mary discovers that her cousin simply needs some encouragement and the once spoiled girl becomes a secret cheer leader of sorts and they set out to get Colin walking. One of the characters I adored so much was the gardener,who knows that the two have discovered the secret garden that Colins mother had adored and tended so well, which has become overgrown and like the two young children, simply needs some tender loving and consistent care. The children are very careful because they get Colin ouside using the wheelchair since they want to use the garden as a tool for also helping Colins physical therapy. In a few months not only is Colin able to walk and get about but the garden is flourishing which as the story continues will become the healing tool for the uncle (Mr. Archibald Craven)who has been heartbroken and aloof since his wifes death. Like the Little Princess this book deals with death, loneliness and deep subjects.

Possibly the best children's book ever written

Yes, that's a wild claim, against such wonderful books as the Wizard of Oz and Charlotte's Web. But I still have my copy of The Secret Garden and remember how I marvelous felt as a child when I first read it. The moment when Mary walked under the ivy into the secret garden gave me chills. This book combines gentle "magic", that is, the spiritual side of things, and a fairy tale story of two neglected children who are healed by the help of that "magic", some good simple people, and a tragedy greater than themselves. Their coming out of their selfish ways into greater health and wisdom is a lesson for everybody. It's told in a charming style, with much atmosphere. Reading it gives you a taste for the greater things to come in literature.This is a perfect book to read aloud to children, or to present to any child who is old enough to read it.

And delight reigneth!

Ages 9 and up the cover informs which at age 50 allows me in on one of the most beautiful reading experiences of a lifetime. It is romantic in the best sense of the word: one thinks of Blake's "to see a world in a grain of sand," or in this case in a secret garden. For this is a romance of two odd, solitary children who fall in love--not with each other--but with the world. To grow from isolation to friendship, from solitude to joy, from loathing of self to delight in nature, the themes are standard but deeply felt and movingly evoked in simple but lovely prose. The world is beautiful, once wrote Thomas Merton, to remind us we were originally meant for paradise. The Secret Garden is another such reminder. "I'm going to live forever and ever and ever," Colin famously exults and in this great book for children and adults he does and he does and he does.

a shimmering adventure of magic and adventure

This book is a brilliant read for anyone old enough to feel heartwarming towards Mary and Dilan as they form bonds with nature to create a new life for the garden they find. The book starts with mary left alone and forgotten in the world, she cryes and sleeps until 3 dayes later she is accidently found and sent to live with her uncle. This starts her friendship with Martha (her chatty chambermaid) and so Dilan, Marthas' brother. When Mary finds the garden she recrutes the help of Marthas family to help her restore it. Together they are propelled into the livly and entertaining world of the secret garden and the magic it holds. An excellent read for any age and a story that stays for life like an old friend. 5 stars.