The Secret Garden
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4.7 • 22 Ratings
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
Two lonely children discover the power of friendship in one of the most inspirational stories ever told
Mary Lennox, a spoiled and disagreeable child, is orphaned in India and sent to live with her uncle Archibald Craven in Yorkshire. Still mourning the loss of his wife, Mr. Craven is away often and wants nothing to do with his niece, leaving Mary free to roam about the estate and spend time with Martha, her maidservant, and Ben Weatherstaff, the gardener. When Martha tells her the tragic tale of Mrs. Craven and the cherished rose garden that Mr. Craven locked up after her death, Mary decides to find the key to the “secret garden.” The other great mystery of Misselthwaite Manor is the strange crying sound the servants pretend not to hear—precocious Mary vows to discover the truth behind that, as well.
A timeless story of friendship, loss, and renewal, The Secret Garden is a masterpiece of children’s literature.
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“Burnett was a romantic. . . . This is her masterpiece; sharply characterized, with the appeal of the gloomy, treasure-filled mansion, the mystery of the plaintive child crying out in the night, and, best of all, the marvelous garden coming back to life in the spring as the children learn how to nurture it.” —Kirkus Reviews Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849–1924) was an English author and playwright best remembered for her children’s stories, including A Little Princess, The Secret Garden, and Little Lord Fauntleroy.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Soothing and mellifluous, native Briton Bailey's voice proves an excellent instrument for polishing up a new edition of Burnett's story. Bratty and spoiled Mary Lennox is orphaned when her parents fall victim to a cholera outbreak in India. As a result, Mary becomes the ward of an uncle in England she has never met. As she hesitantly tries to carve a new life for herself at imposing and secluded Misselthwaite Manor, Mary befriends a high-spirited boy named Dickon and investigates a secret garden on the Manor grounds. She also discovers a sickly young cousin, Colin, who has been shut away in a hidden Manor room. Together Mary and Dickon help Colin blossom, and in the process Mary finds her identity and melts the heart of her emotionally distant uncle. Bailey makes fluid transitions between the voices and accents of various characters, from terse Mrs. Medlock and surly groundskeeper Ben to chipper housemaid Martha. And most enjoyably, she gives Mary a believably childlike voice. A brief biography of the author is included in an introduction. Ages 6-12.
Customer Reviews
a delight
this book has only gotten more delightful