Mary is an unloved, spoiled, ugly child who is left behind during a cholera epidemic in India. Her parents are dead and she is sent to live with an uncle in England. At first, she hates it there. She slowly begins to spend more time outside, regaining mental and physical strength. Mary learns of a secret garden belonging to her late aunt that is locked. She finds a key and begins to tend to the garden. She hears a child crying in the manor and is surprised to learn that it is her cousin, who is locked away due to a problem with his spine. She takes him to the garden with her and he slowly regains his strength. Her uncle comes home from a business trip to find his crippled son walking.

I choose this book because many women important to me claim that it was their favorite book in childhood. The story of Mary and Collin growing strong while tending the garden is an inspiring tribute to the strength of living things.

I think this book would be best used in a literature circle paired with other classics. Some children may be drawn to a story about roses and girls, but it might be hard sell to some boys. ( )

This book is about a girl from India and two boys, named Colin and Dickon, growing their hopes in a secret garden. It's a really sweet story that I would recommend to elementary students.
Review by: abbey

Good book with a great twist.
Review by: Helen

This is a book about a girl who has to go from being spoiled in India to being treated like any other girl on the Yorkshire Moors. Fortunately she discovers a secret garden that gives her something to do and something to look forward to. She also meets Dickon, who teaches her to see the good things in life and Colin who helps her to realize how rude she was being before and when she first came to the moor. I would highly recommend this book and any others by Frances Burnett to anyone

Review by: Kaylee

The book was really good and I think everyone should read it. ( )

I was in the mood for children's classic / fairy-tale story and this gorgeous edition of "The Secret Garden" fit the bill. I may have read it in childhood but am not sure. ( )