The Secret Garden (by Frances Hodgson Burnett)
common sense media says
Beautiful classic filled with magic and realism.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this beautifully written book shows two selfish, disagreeable children transformed by the magic of nature and their own imaginations as they work to bring a near-dead garden back to life.
Positive role models:
In a story written and taking place in imperial England, some class and
race issues arise. Burnett shows the children's acquired prejudices to
be part of their ignorance, but her attitude toward Colin's
"Rajah"-like behavior is sometimes ambiguous.
race issues arise. Burnett shows the children's acquired prejudices to
be part of their ignorance, but her attitude toward Colin's
"Rajah"-like behavior is sometimes ambiguous.
Violence:
Not applicable.
Sex:
Not applicable.
Language:
Not applicable.
Consumerism:
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Not applicable.
More on The Secret Garden
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Most useful reviews by all members
kitkat12356
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
The secret garden
Very good but if readers need it to be fast not for them!
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JessicaBurton1980
parent of and 5 , 9 , 10 year old
parent of and 5 , 9 , 10 year old
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butterscotch
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
The best book in the history o the best books
At first the main character Mary Lennox is a spoild brat but after she finds the secret garden she starts thinking about other people and their feelings. At first I though it was boring but after I read the 1st chapter it was really interesting. It is a book you will want to read over and over again.
So if you go somewhere and happen to see the book you should get it and read it. You sure won't regret it.
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Samiam5
adult
adult
LOVED it then, LOVE it now
As a 5th grader, 10 yrs old, this book was an eye opener! I loved it then and am anxious for my 10 yr old to read it. She LOVES books and I never thought of this book until it was recommended! THANKS!!
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Smilyface12345678
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
p.s. I think it is the best for 9,10,11.
I loved it!! Me and my friends had a book club and talked it over. We had the best of time. But after the book, we watched the movie.
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Meg Pryor
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
It made me feel all warm inside!
This was a wonderful book! It's one of those books that when you finish it, you want to read it again. The main character of the book starts out as a spoiled brat, but when she moves, it all changes! She meets a boy with physical problems and discovers the "Secret Garden"! A refreshing novel!
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Gaga4GaGa
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
Not an option for younger kids
This book has nothing questionable in it, but the reason I rated it so highly is because you need to fully grasp the meaning of this classic novel. It is unenjoyable for young readers because of the old fashioned speech used in it. I loved it, it was excellent; but smaller children will be bored by it quickly.
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Si_le_bon_sens ...
adult
adult
Don't let classics like this die
I feel compelled to write this review by the astonishing number of people I have heard/seen saying that this is a boring book. I hate to say it, but society is heading in a very bad direction if older kids can't get through an approximately 400 page book. I'm not saying that it won't take some time (the first time I read The Secret Garden at age 7 it took me over a month), but children no longer have the attention span that they used to and the only way to fix that problem is to practice. The Secret Garden is all about self-discovery. Mary Lennox, a spoiled and stubborn little girl, exists inside all of us. As a reader, we are appalled at her behavior at first, but then upon self-reflection, we see that we are not so very different, and begin to improve and develop alongside Mary. Believe me, parents, by the end of the book you have a much better behaved child. A must read for everyone!
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bookluver101
teen, 18 years old
teen, 18 years old
Kinda Boring!!!!!!!!!
The Secret Garden for some people is the beat book ever. But in my opinion it was kinda boring. I am in an advanced reading class at my school but even for me this book was badly written and hard to read. I didn't finish it so I can't tell you much more than that.
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howrselover
teen, 13 years old
teen, 13 years old
Older kids will like it better
Old-fashioned but good. I wouldn't say it will keep you up all night, though. Appropriate but older readers will appreciate it more.
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gilly_boy
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
The magic is in everyone.
I like the characters and the garden. The garden is said to be magical and can heal anyone who enters. I think anyone would me interested in the book if they like classic and magic.
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