61 pages 2 hours read

Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1910

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett follows Mary Lennox, a neglected and spoiled orphan sent to live with her uncle in a gloomy Yorkshire manor. While exploring, Mary discovers a hidden, neglected garden and works to restore it. Alongside her new friends Dickon and her cousin Colin, who has been told he is too sick to walk, they rejuvenate the garden and themselves. The book uses the term “cripple” to describe a bed-ridden character.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is cherished for its enchanting story and well-drawn characters. Positive feedback emphasizes its uplifting transformation theme and vivid, descriptive prose. Some critiques point to an outdated social perspective and slow pacing. Nevertheless, it remains a beloved classic for its inspirational qualities and imaginative depiction of nature's healing power.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Secret Garden?

A reader who would enjoy The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is typically enchanted by classic children's literature, rich in themes of rejuvenation and personal growth. This reader likely appreciates the charm of other works such as A Little Princess by Burnett and Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.

Recommended

Reading Age

8-12years

Book Details

Genre

Children's Literature

Classic Fiction

Historical Fiction

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness

Self Discovery

Natural World: Environment

Topics

Grief / Death

History: World