The Secret Garden growing love and hope

One of my fondest memories of elementary school was having this book read by the teacher. I was in third grade and all the children would gather on the floor around her while she read from this book about how love can grow, even from a young lady who has never known it. I was captivated by the story and couldn't wait until it was time every day after lunch to sit on the floor and listen as she read about this magical place.

That very same summer I had my mother purchase the book for me. I just had to read the story myself and return to that special place where love and happiness grows. I never got bored with the book. This story gets better each time you read it. It is a child's book, but even an adult can enjoy it.

The story is about a spoiled child, her uncle, two boys she meets and a closed up garden that she restores. It begins with Mistress Mary in India where we get a detailed picture of how spoiled she has been. Growing up in a house filled with servants and no love. She has led a life where there is someone around at all times to cater to her demands in order to keep her out of her parents way.

There is a Cholera outbreak and Mary's parents die along with most of the servants in the house. Mary then has to go live with her uncle. Archibald Cravins is an unusual man, doesn't spend much time in his home, and doesn't want to be spoken to. Mary finds herself in a similar situation as before. She has everything she could ever want but she isn't getting love. No wonder the young girl is so nasty and unhappy.

However she learns of a garden that was closed up when her uncle Archibald's wife died and when she finds it life begins to change.

The garden symbolizes her own heart, dark and uncared for. But as the garden begins to take on life with her help so does her own heart. She begins to open up to others and feel true happiness and love for other things. She meets a boy named Dickon who helps her to restore the garden to it's beautiful state. Mary also discovers that she has a cousin living in the house. He is just as bitter and unhappy as she is in the beginning. But when she opens up to him and shows him the secret garden they grow together. Their bodies and minds become stronger through gardening in this beautiful place.

The book holds lots of meaning. It tells us how precious nature is, and how healing it's beauty can be. It also gives up hope that others can change. It shows us how important love and happiness are for a young child and how very little a child needs to get that happiness. It is an enchanting book filled with a magical touch. I have enjoyed it for years and now my oldest son is just at an age where he can enjoy it as well. I can't wait for my four year old triplets to be old enough to understand it.

I love the way the book is broken down into small chapters. That makes it much easier to be a book that is read by teachers during school because there are easy stopping points when time is up. It is also easier for parents to read to children. Most children don't want to or can't sit through a long chapter in a book. Even when interested it is hard for a child to sit for so long. The short chapters make it easy for you to read a bit to your child and then allow them a break.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story.