The Secret Garden
None Series
on Goodreads (1,248)
What’s inside...
First published in 1911, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden follows prickly orphan Mary Lennox, who is sent from colonial India to live with her reclusive uncle at Misselthwaite Manor on the windswept Yorkshire moors. There she discovers a locked, neglected garden and, with the help of local boy Dickon and her sickly cousin Colin, brings it back to life. As flowers bloom, so do the children’s hearts, revealing a gentle tale of healing, friendship, and the restorative power of nature set against the backdrop of Edwardian England.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-7
Length
288 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Mary Lennox
Ben Weatherstaff
Colin Craven
Martha Sowerby
Dickon Sowerby
Dr. Craven
Mrs. Medlock
Susan Sowerby
Archibald Craven
Discussion points
Why does Mary change when she starts gardening?
How do Mary, Dickon, and Colin help one another?
What does the garden symbolize for each character?
How might time in nature help us today?
Tip: Role play these questions
Plant seeds together to parallel the story’s growth.
Compare Mary’s first and last conversations for evidence of change.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy heals relationships
Explanation: Mary becomes likable once she cares for others.
Real-World Application: Being considerate improves friendships at school.
Example Lesson: Nature nurtures well-being
Explanation: Characters thrive as the garden flourishes.
Real-World Application: Spending time outside boosts mood and health.
Example Lesson: Self-belief overcomes limitations
Explanation: Colin walks when he believes he can.
Real-World Application: Positive thinking aids tackling difficult tasks.