Parents' Guide to

The Night Gardener

By Darienne Stewart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Deliciously macabre, well-spun tale for fans of horror.

Book Jonathan Auxier Horror 2014
The Night Gardener Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 1 parent review

Mr. M. A. Cat
Mr. M. A. Cat Parent of 4 and 10-year-old
March 5, 2015
age 10+

Kid Blown Away

My ten year old read this book in just a handful of sittings. He loved it. He totally freaked out at the supernatural stuff and his mind was blown at the end. He just had to read more by Jonathan Auxier - so, we tracked down Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes from the library. That book was just as good.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Separated from their parents on the journey from Ireland, Molly and Kip ignore their misgivings and go to work for the unhappy, ailing Windsors. The family, crushed by debt, is isolated in an eerie home dominated by a menacing black tree that's grown right through the walls. Molly and Kip soon discover the terrifying night man, who torments their sleep with nightmares and seems to be stealing their very souls. Molly's every instinct tells her she and Kip should run for their lives, but she's begun to fall under the spell of the mysterious tree. It seems to be giving her exactly what she wants…but she and her brother must decide what they really need to survive.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (6):

Jonathan Auxier's THE NIGHT GARDENER is a spell-binding tale that deserves a spot on the shelf between Neil Gaiman and Stephen King. This is the stuff that nightmares are made of: The supernatural night man is relentlessly evil, cultivating a complex trap to ensnare Molly, Kip, and the Windsors. Though there's a fair amount of violence, it's the sustained suspense that makes this such a gripping read.

Molly and Kip, who take turns on center stage, are likable, sympathetic heroes. As they discover the truth behind the Windsor family's circumstances, young readers might reflect on how little they really know about what goes on in another family's home. Don't be surprised if the fascinating night gardener and Molly's storytelling inspire readers to create their own spin-off tales and artwork. As Auxier makes clear, sometimes the best way to wrestle with something scary is by telling stories.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what Molly understands about stories and lies: A story helps people face an often frightening world, and a lie helps you hide. How have stories helped you?

  • How does the Victorian setting contribute to the story?

  • Why do you enjoy scary stories? What makes The Night Gardener more or less chilling than other scary stories you've read or heard?

Book Details

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