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The Secret Garden

Burnett, Frances Hodgson, 1849-1924. Book J Fiction / Burnett, Frances, Kids Book / Fiction / Classic / Burnett, Frances Hodgson None on shelf No requests on this item Community Rating: 4.6 out of 5

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Downtown Kids Books
4-week checkout
J Fiction / Burnett, Frances 4-week checkout Due 04-11-2024
Malletts Kids Books
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Kids Book / Fiction / Classic / Burnett, Frances Hodgson 4-week checkout Due 04-18-2024
Pittsfield Kids Books
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Kids Book / Fiction / Classic / Burnett, Frances Hodgson 4-week checkout Due 04-06-2024
Traverwood Kids Books
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Kids Book / Fiction / Classic / Burnett, Frances Hodgson 4-week checkout Due 04-09-2024

Ten-year-old Mary comes to live in a lonely house on the Yorkshire moors and discovers an invalid cousin and the mysteries of a locked garden.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

Summary / Annotation
Fiction Profile
Excerpt
Author Notes
Table of Contents

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

My all-time favorite book submitted by ValerieL on August 24, 2012, 2:24pm I absolutely love "The Secret Garden". It is my all-time favorite book. The amount of personal growth that Mary and Colin both go through is amazing and wonderful. The positive influences that Dickon and Martha and their mother provide help bring stability to Mary's world which has been rocked by the death of her parents, moving thousands of miles from her home, and finding out that she's not the center of the universe.

As I child I always loved the thought of finding my own secret place to hide away from the world such as the garden that Mary found. Alas, I was not as fortunate, but I can still visit those places when I re-read this book. Even as an adult, I still re-read it at least once a year. I think I'm on my 4th copy of the copy I use for reading each time as I wore the others out! If possible, find one of the beautifully illustrated versions (you might have to go to a bookstore for that) to look at some of the gorgeous illustrations.

Wonderful, amazing story for all ages!

Beautiful Adventure submitted by Christa Kemp on June 19, 2013, 8:11pm This story combines the adventurous spirit of childhood with the delicacy of life in an elegant way. It's easy to relate to each person and creature which provides a magical feel.

Classic submitted by Bookbird on June 20, 2013, 10:25am I really loved how discovering a secret helped change Mary from a brat to a nice girl.

Favorite submitted by ftan on June 24, 2013, 3:17pm This book has consistently been my favorite book for several years running. The story is very well written, and unlike some old classics it is not mind numbing. My sole complaint would be when the author has the characters start to talk in York Dialect. It makes the book harder to read, although it does have a nice affect. Mary starts out as a stubborn and difficult child, but she blossoms into a wonderful friend. This book is the best!

Good story submitted by kathscot on July 20, 2013, 4:29pm There's a reason a number of movies have been based on this book. Totally worth reading!

Great! submitted by ECReader on August 2, 2013, 7:01pm I enjoyed this book. It teaches a good lesson about selflessness. I recommend it! :)

Classic Tale submitted by audreyh on June 17, 2016, 9:46am The writing for this book is really phenomenal. It adds to the overall fairytale-esqu feel of the book. The characters in this book are interesting and engaging.

The Secret Garden submitted by Varshini on July 30, 2019, 10:52am I usually don't like "classic" books, but this one was easy to read and engaging. The Secret Garden is a book everyone should read. It teaches some good lessons.

A classic. submitted by clucena on June 13, 2020, 8:26am This is one of my all-time favorites. An easy and engaging read that never feels boring. Enjoyable, and a true classic.

Everyone needs a Secret Garden submitted by sara on August 15, 2020, 7:34pm I wonder if kids today like this book as much as I did as a child.

The Secret Garden submitted by emiliana on August 30, 2020, 8:49am I liked that it was so mysterious.

Great read!! submitted by graytabby on August 2, 2021, 7:18am It's a classic, and you should read it. About the importance of family and helping each other: A must read.

I love it as a child, but now... submitted by Jen Chapin-Smith on June 10, 2022, 2:54pm As a child, I loved this book. However, reading it now to my own child, I can see how much sexism, racism, ableism and other kinds of prejudice are written into the text.
The book alternates between speaking negatively or condescendingly about people in India, to exoticizing them, such as when the author compares Colin to an Indian prince. When the main character, Mary, stands up for herself or stands up to her cousin, the author acts as if she is just spoiled, instead of an assertive girl who can become a leader.
What bothered me the most, however, was how the author treats Colin's disability as imaginary. (Warning: spoilers ahead). Once he gets into the garden, Colin slowly learns to walk. Colin goes from being told he has scoliosis and therefore will die young, to being convinced he will die young, to talking himself into health and deciding he will "live forever."

Loved it then and love it now submitted by suttonp on August 15, 2022, 2:31pm I first read this as a child and love it. I have re-read it numerous times and it never gets less beautiful. It is captivating and enchanting.

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PUBLISHED
various editions.
Year Published:
Description: various editions.
Language: English
Format: Book

READING LEVEL
Lexile: 950

ISBN/STANDARD NUMBER
9780147509482
9780064401883

SUBJECTS
Gardens -- Fiction.
Orphans -- Fiction.
People with disabilities -- Fiction.
Yorkshire (England) -- Fiction.