Title: The Secret Garden

Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett

Published: 1911

Genre: Children's Classics

Pages: 220

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Classics - Children's; Monthly Key Word - April, Garden; Book to Movie; Book Bingo - 3 Rereads

How I Got It: I own it

Mistress Mary is quite contrary until she helps her garden grow. Along the way, she manages to cure her sickly cousin Colin, who is every bit as imperious as she. These two are sullen little peas in a pod, closed up in a gloomy old manor on the Yorkshire moors of England, until a locked-up garden captures their imaginations and puts the blush of a wild rose in their cheeks; "It was the sweetest, most mysterious-looking place any one could imagine. The high walls which shut it in were covered with the leafless stems of roses which were so thick, that they matted together.... 'No wonder it is still,' Mary whispered. 'I am the first person who has spoken here for ten years.'" As new life sprouts from the earth, Mary and Colin's sour natures begin to sweeten.

My childhood favorite.  I actually still have my original copy with any inscription from my Grandma "Christmas 1991."  So I got my copy for Christmas at 9 years old.  I don't remember reading this book before then, but it could have happened.  I just remember coming back to this book through the years and somehow I held on to that particular copy all these years.  I think I related to Mary as a child.  I was an only child.  I was often left to my own devices.  I would have loved a huge manor house to explore and gardens to frolic in.  The entire story has an element of Magic that I gravitated toward as a child.  Unlike many childhood books, this volume lives up to my memories of it.  Reading it was a nice reminder of my childhood pursuits.  I could get a nicer copy of the book, but mine holds such memories, I think I will keep it.

Movie: 1987 Hallmark Hall of Fame 

This is the movie from my childhood.  I remember going to my Grandma's and watching and rewatching the VHS tape until it was worn out.  Since that time, I have watched other versions, but they never seem to capture my attention.  Maybe it's the nostalgia factor.  Whatever the reason, I love the scenery in this one.  The moors are just gorgeous.  I loved how the secret garden slowly comes alive throughout the film.  While I know they changed the ages of Colin and Dickon and tacked on the ending, I still like how the actors portrayed the characters, especially Mary.  Mary is a spoiled brat, she should be like that at the beginning and only slowly does she change.  The change is evident in this version.  Overall, I really love this movie.