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The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett


This classic book introduces the disliked character of Mary Lennox, a gaunt and spoiled little girl. Mary lived in India with her parents and maids who took care of her, dressing her and feeding her themselves. One day, everyone in the house died from a contagious illness and Mary was left alone. Thus, she was sent to live with her uncle in England. Mary stayed there for quite some time, hating everything about the situation she was in until she started to befriend various people at her uncle's immense home; these people being a gardener named Ben Weatherstaff, a maid named Martha, a sickly boy named Colin, and a nature-loving boy named Dickon. Through the relationships of Ben, Martha, Colin, and Dickon, Mary grows into a polite, pretty and truly likeable girl. Her outer appearance grew normal and her personality was cleansed as well.

The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett, is one of my favorite book that I have ever read so far; the plot, the description of the scenery, and characters had me absolutely captivated. It was so much fun to follow through the adventures of a little girl and how she changed from one thing to another; the way the author worded every sentence blended perfectly with the story. However, as amazing as a book this is, I wouldn't recommend it for just anyone; to feel personally connected with it, this book needs to be read by true lovers of nature and life, who have a thirst for adventure and curiosity. I don't think that just anyone would feel the same way as I do about it. That being said, if you are a person who enjoys a good story, I would definitely recommend it. But, as a personal lover of classic books, I've felt a deep connection with his book and it will remain one of the best books to me until I read another one almost as good as this.

Reviewed by Anna A., Grade 9

Downtown Central Library

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Teen Speak said…
The Secret Garden is about a young girl named Mary Lennox who lives in India with her parents during the period when India was under English rule. When her mom and dad are killed during a cholera outbreak, Mary is sent back to England. The other orphans see her as spoiled and unfriendly, and they tease her constantly, calling out, “Mary, Mary, quite contrary.” In England Mary is adopted by her uncle , and she begins to explore her new home on the Moor. Mary’s only friends are Martha Sowerby, her new maid and a friendly robin that ends up leading her to a locked garden that hasn't been cared for in many years. Left to entertain herself while Martha is working, Mary finds her way into the locked garden and begins to care for the neglected plants. As she does so, something that had been closed off inside of her begins to change, which allows her to start connecting to people, including Martha’s brother Dicken, who is a friend of the animals on the moor. She overhears someone crying, and her curiosity leads her to discover Colin, a disabled cousin who is hunchbacked and who has been kept locked away because everyone believes he is going to die. With Dicken’s help, Mary introduces Colin to the secret garden, where Colin begins to heal.

I liked The Secret Garden because it is fun to see how Mary changes throughout the book. In the beginning, Mary is a spoiled, unpleasant child, but even though I didn’t like her, I couldn’t help but feel bad because her parents ignored and didn’t want to see her. When kids are mean to her, she gets meaner, which I think she does to block them off and to protect herself. At her uncle’s house, Mary changes into a more curious, friendly, and compassionate person because she starts to learn that the world doesn’t revolve around her and learns she has to do things on her own. Then, when she discovers the garden, she also has something to care for that doesn’t criticize or expect anything of her. It made me think and reflect on my own actions and how I react to others. Overall book was interesting and intriguing to see that as Mary changed, the people around her began to change their attitudes toward her, too. I think kids that like to learn about new places, stories that are realistic fiction, and nature or gardening and seeing things develop and grow would like this book.

Reviewed by Hope C, Grade 5
Glendale Central Library
August 19, 2021 at 11:47 AM
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