The Secret Garden (100 Copy Limited Edition)
on Goodreads (1,233)
What’s inside...
Mary Lennox, a 10-year-old girl born in India to wealthy British parents, is sent to live with her uncle in Yorkshire, England after her parents' death. While exploring her uncle's gardens, she discovers a locked garden and finds its key. Her adventure in the garden leads to personal growth and healing, symbolizing the power of life inherent in living things. 'The Secret Garden' by Burnett, now a classic of English children's literature, explores these themes in depth. This limited edition is cloth-bound with a Victorian inspired dust-jacket and limited to 100 copies.
Age
13-18
Length
196 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Mary Lennox
Martha Sowerby
Ben Weatherstaff
Dickon Sowerby
Colin Craven
Mrs. Medlock
Archibald Craven
Discussion points
How do you think Mary changes from the beginning to the end of the story, and what causes those changes?
What does the secret garden symbolize to each character, and what does it mean to you?
Why do you think forgiveness and friendship are important themes in the book?
How do the characters' relationships with each other influence their personal growth?
What lessons can we learn about nature and its impact on us from this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in Mary's shoes at different points in the story and ask how they might feel or react in similar situations.
Discuss the importance of empathy by exploring how Mary understands and connects with other characters throughout the book.
Use the garden's transformation as a metaphor to talk about personal growth and healing, asking your child how they have grown or healed in their own experiences.
Highlight the transformations in the book, both in the characters and the settings, to discuss the importance of change and adaptation.
Prompt discussions about forgiveness by exploring how the characters forgive each other and the outcomes of these actions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Healing through nature
Explanation: The protagonist, Mary, transforms from being spoiled and unpleasant to a kinder soul through her interaction with the natural world in the secret garden.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of connecting with nature to find peace and improve their own mental well-being.
Example Lesson: The power of positive thinking
Explanation: Colin, a bedridden boy, begins to heal physically when he adopts a more optimistic outlook and believes in the possibility of his recovery.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the impact of positive thinking and self-belief in overcoming personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Friendship and compassion
Explanation: Mary and Colin develop a deep friendship that teaches them mutual respect and empathy, helping them grow and heal together.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of building meaningful relationships and showing empathy, which can lead to personal growth and healing.
Example Lesson: The value of perseverance
Explanation: Mary's dedication to restoring the secret garden despite numerous obstacles demonstrates the importance of perseverance to achieve one’s goals.
Real-World Application: Encouraging children to remain determined and not give up easily in the face of difficulties, whether in their academic pursuits or personal projects.
Example Lesson: Transformation and growth
Explanation: Throughout the story, the secret garden blossoms and grows, symbolizing the characters’ own transformations as they nurture their surroundings and themselves.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to see personal growth as an ongoing process that evolves with care and nurturing of oneself and others.