61 pages • 2 hours read
Frances Hodgson BurnettThe Secret Garden
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1910A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett follows Mary Lennox, a neglected and spoiled orphan sent to live with her uncle in a gloomy Yorkshire manor. While exploring, Mary discovers a hidden, neglected garden and works to restore it. Alongside her new friends Dickon and her cousin Colin, who has been told he is too sick to walk, they rejuvenate the garden and themselves. The book uses the term “cripple” to describe a bed-ridden character.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is cherished for its enchanting story and well-drawn characters. Positive feedback emphasizes its uplifting transformation theme and vivid, descriptive prose. Some critiques point to an outdated social perspective and slow pacing. Nevertheless, it remains a beloved classic for its inspirational qualities and imaginative depiction of nature's healing power.
Who Should Read The Secret Garden?
A reader who would enjoy The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is typically enchanted by classic children's literature, rich in themes of rejuvenation and personal growth. This reader likely appreciates the charm of other works such as A Little Princess by Burnett and Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.
RecommendedReading Age
8-12yearsBook Details
Children's Literature
Classic Fiction
Historical Fiction
Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness
Self Discovery
Natural World: Environment
Grief / Death