The Secret Garden

Captivating story of a long-abandoned garden on a gloomy Yorkshire estate — which, with the help of an unusual young boy with an ability to charm nature — blooms again, transforming the lives of the estate owner's frail son and that of his overindulged orphan cousin who has come to live with him. Abridged. A selection of the Common Core State Standards Initiative.

Much-loved tale of a garden's magical effect on an overindulged orphan, her reclusive uncle, and a frail little boy. A classic tale that will captivate young readers and listeners alike. Abridged. A selection of the Common Core State Standards Initiative.

A writer of popular stories for children and adults, Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924) was regarded as "a born storyteller," with a talent for creating memorable characters whose state of affairs frequently improved as the narrative progressed. The Secret Garden, one of her best-loved works for young readers, is such a tale.
In it, Mary Lennox, an overindulged child suddenly orphaned, is almost magically transformed into an agreeable child when she comes to live at Misselthwaite Manor, the gloomy Yorkshire estate owned by her reclusive uncle, Archibald Craven. With the help of Dickon, an unusual local youngster with the ability to charm nature, Mary not only manages to bring life and beauty to the secret garden -- abandoned years ago when the mistress of the manor was fatally injured there -- but also persuades Colin, her uncle's frail son, to lead a normal life.
A repeated success on the motion-picture screen and the theatrical stage, this classic children's story is sure to charm new generations of readers.

Much-loved tale of a garden's magical effect on an overindulged orphan, her reclusive uncle, and a frail little boy. A classic tale that will captivate young readers and listeners alike. Abridged.