The Secret Garden

By Frances Hodgson Burnett

Book Overview

"The Secret Garden" is a celebrated masterpiece of children's literature that explores the transformative power of friendship, nature, and the human spirit. Following the death of her parents in India, the young and embittered Mary Lennox is sent to live with her reclusive uncle at Misselthwaite Manor on the vast Yorkshire moors.

Her life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers a hidden, walled garden that has been locked and neglected for a decade. As Mary works to restore the garden to its former glory, she is joined by the nature-loving Dickon and her sickly, sheltered cousin Colin. Together, the three children undergo a profound emotional and physical awakening, proving that even the most withered hearts can bloom under the right care.

Frances Hodgson Burnett's evocative prose beautifully captures the magic of the English countryside and the resilience of youth. "The Secret Garden" remains a timeless tale of healing and the restorative influence of the natural world, securing its place as an essential work of fiction for readers of all ages.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025971507
• ISBN13: 9781025971506
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 356 Pages
• Weight: 1.49 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.2" x 0.8" x 6.1"

Customer Reviews

This is not what I ordered

I ordered a hardcopy UNabridged edition of The Secret Garder and got a paperback "condensed" version. Don't waste your time and money.

Refreshing and beautiful🥰🥰🥰

When I read the sample of this (thanks to the book advent calendar my mom gave me for Christmas of 2025), I was immediately reminded of why I love this; because of Ann of Green Gables. Mary, in my opinion, is the complete opposite but she’s misunderstood. I’m hoping she grows into more respectful and loving woman. Even though I had to reread some of the sentences due to the rough language, I understood what they were talking about. This book is about the power one long garden has a little girl who unknowingly changes the lives of others. That’s all I can say without spoiling the book. Read it for yourself. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Not the actual book

I was really looking forward to rediscovering a beloved story from childhood. But this isn’t the actual book. This an adaptation from the movie. That was not made clear in the listing. It is 47 pages. The other books are 160 pages. I am extremely disappointed and feel like I got scammed. I will have to get the book from elsewhere

Not as advertised

I ordered the full version of the book and received a children’s picture book. Not as expected.

I received an abridged edition!

I received an abridged edition which I never expected or wanted.

Not an accurate book picture/cover

My review is based on the how I received the book- I specifically looked for a cover I liked of the book and received a completely different cover of this book. It was a disappointment because the cover was the reason I wanted it for my library. The book was a good read for students.

not at all what i expected.

i ordered the novel, got a scholastic movie tie in. i do not want this book. this one is 45 pages maybe? i don’t understand why i got this version. very disappointed. i wanted to read a book, not a summary.

Not in Very Good condition

I would not call the copy I received very good condition. Cover was very worn and I wish it was listed as being a library copy, it was a paper pack and no way to remove all the stickers all over the cover and spine. Very disappointed

Sent the wrong version

I was sent the movie version with photos from the movie, etc, not the original novel or story. Very disappointed.

Be careful what edition you order.

I thought I was getting the original, but instead received an adapted version. Very disappointed.

Not the original book

I ordered the original classic and received a version adapted by Molleson from the screenplay by Thompson. The artwork inside was pictures from the movie. Not at all what I expected.

Classic Book

This is a Children's classic book. I love the story. This review is hard to write because I love the story, the characters in this book, and the plot of this book, but I did not love the audiobook. The narrator of the audiobook was good, but my big problem with this audiobook is all the sound effects and music in the audiobook. There is times in the audiobook you cannot hear the narrator because of the music or sound effects. I think the audiobook could be so much better without the music all together and less sound effects (or the sound effects be lower). I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

Delightful Classic Story & A Great Read Aloud!

The Secret Garden is a "must read" for all ages. I read my mom's old copy and passed it down to my daughters to read. Now, a new generation is enjoying this precious story of love and friendship that changes lives. Oh, and a beautiful garden that you can imagine as you read. If you're an adult and you've not read it, grab a copy and read it now. It's a lovely story.

Not the Whole Book

This is a collector's edition, not the complete original book :( Bummer!!

Incredible story

My five year old and I both loved the story so incredibly much! I never read this story as a child and am so glad that I read it as an adult because it is fantastic for all ages.

A childhood favorite

As one of my favorite books when I was a kid (still a favorite) I'm thrilled to now read it to my girls and to witness their excitement as each page is turned. This is a very special read and one I would recommend to everyone.

Book The Secret Garden

My favorite niece is now old enough to read this book so for christmas I purchased the book for her and also The Boxcar Children. These were two of my favorite books when I was her age.

The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden opens up with a spoiled girl name Mary Lennox who gets everything she wants. She is always somehow ill in one way or another. She loves no one and no one loves her. Her parents never paid attention to her and her mother wants nothing to do with her. She was taken care of by native servants and they did everything that Mary told them to do because Mary's mom did not want to deal with crying or yelling. Mary's life changed completely when an outbreak of cholera happens in the Lennox's household. Everyone dies, leaving Mary all alone in her room crying and wondering where everyone went. Later, she is found by two soldiers who send her to her maternal uncle. Her uncle's house is a huge mansion with one hundred rooms in it; most of the rooms are locked up. Everyone describes her uncle as a "miserable hunchback". Mary is not too exited about going to live with him. When Mary arrives at his house, she finds that staying inside is not to fun. So she starts to play outside, running all through the gardens. She meets all sorts of friends. She becomes more engaged in the world, less ill, and stronger. Mary Lennox begins her adventure when she finds a hidden door to a secret garden. She wanders all through it and is so amazed. She then meets a new friend, Dickens, and they meet in the garden together everyday. They plant flowers and just hang out together. They spend the rest of the summer together. This book was awesome! Quite amazing, I thought. It was very interesting all through it. I would rate this as a four star book. You should defiantly read it as soon as possible!

A very fine book to read

For anyone who is teaching their 8 or 9 year old how to write this is one fine book to read because it is so well written. I am a homeschooler who is using IEW to teach my children to write and this book is loaded with "dress-ups". All that aside, the story line is captivating, the characters are memorable, and there are lessons to be learned here that will last a lifetime.

Mistress Mary, quite contrary...

The Secret Garden - my mum gave me this book when I was about eight and in the front it says: "for Kate, who will stay up reading until the wee hours of the morning." and it is true. I've read this book many times since then and I discover something new each time.The characters are wonderful, especially Mary, Colin, Ben Weatherstaff and the "Yorkshire angel" Dickon. The changes that happen to both Mary and Colin throughout the book are a delight to observe. I feel protected and happy once I've finished this book, things turn out happily, for the best and the image I have in my head of the Secret Garden surpasses anything I have ever seen in real life - and that is fine, for this is literature.Read it.

A literature that the none-literature readers will love.

It's amazing for me to read a book in tree days and want to read it again.I'm a Chinese,but I just can't resist the story line printed on the cover,and I bought a English version.I thought I can read it slowly and prectice my English,but I finished in only three days. Three person who can't love and got together in a great house.Mary,Collin,and Mr.Craven was teached what love is and how to love others by theyselves and by a magical natual-love boy,Dickon.And finally the great house bathed in terror came bake to the arm of the love. I can't write too much about this book.The ending will make you laugh with happiness and make you cry moved by the ending. You really should not only read it,but also own one.