wonderful tale of a child's desire for a family's love and the garden that makes it happen

I love this book--the characters are engaging and lots of fun. Every time I read it I am inspired to go start a garden of my own. The emphasis on Magic being what makes the garden grow and the children get stronger is a little questionable, but it depends on how you interpret it.

Possibly the best children's book ever written!
Yes, that's a wild claim, against such wonderful books as the Wizard of Oz and Charlotte's Web. But I still have my copy of The Secret Garden and remember how I marvelous felt as a child when I first read it. The moment when Mary walked under the ivy into the secret garden gave me chills.
This book combines gentle "magic", that is, the spiritual side of things, and a fairy tale story of two neglected children who are healed by the help of that "magic", some good simple people, and a tragedy greater than themselves. Their coming out of their selfish ways into greater health and wisdom is a lesson for everybody. It's told in a charming style, with much atmosphere. Reading it gives you a taste for the greater things to come in literature.

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.

One of my favorite Childhood books. I love Burnett's stories!

awsome read my children and I could not put it down!

great read.

A classic children's book. Wonderful.

tasha tudor illustrations!

wonderful story, should be read aloud to every child, any age.

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