About the Book

The Secret Garden is a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett first published in book form in 1911, after serialisation in The American Magazine. Set in England, it is one of Burnett's most popular novels and seen as a classic of English children's literature. Several stage and film adaptations have been made.

Theme and Characters

The dominant theme of The Secret Garden is healing. Both Mary Lennox and Colin Craven transform from sickly, friendless, and self-absorbed children to physically and mentally healthy ones. This book can be read by anyone over 9, advanced readers at around 7 or 8. The Secret Garden is about a particularly arrogant and unpleasant girl called Mary Lennox.