The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden

Module 1

SLIS 5420/Module 1/June 7-13

Book for this module

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Bibliographic

Burnett,. (1994). The Secret Garden. New York: Playmore Inc., Publishers and Waldman Publishing Corp.,.

Summary
This book was about a selfish little girl who became an orphan after the death of her parents and was sent to live with an uncle that was well off. Mary's heart was hardened against people in general since her parents and other people never paid her any attention. Although Mary was cared for by an assigned nurse the nurse provided Mary with everything she requested. The only and most important thing was love that she longed for. Mary was labeled as difficult and hard to get along with child, but after arriving at her uncle's place she begin to settle in but with much curiosity. She was provide with an individual to meet her needs but who also provide her with a taste of reality, meaning everything did not evolve around her. She eventually made friends with children her age and helped a locked away child believe in life again. Mary's soured uncle eventually came around and begin to learn how to love his son whom had been locked away from birth after his wife's death.

My Impression
The Secret Garden to me is a book about second chances. Many times our story plot is not what we wish it to be, but there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Mary was divinely placed in her situation to eventually help people who needed her the most, although she was extremely selfish she was able to overcome that and teach another child through her experience. Based on how she interacted with Mr. Craven's son made her a mender for the entire family. I loved this book because it's amazing what a change of attitude and faith will do for anyone.

Reviews
Bowker's Books in Print Professional
Following Sterling's spectacularly successful launch of its children's classic novels (240,000 books in print to date), comes a dazzling new series: Classic Starts. The stories are abridged; the quality is complete. Classic Startstreats the world's be loves tales (and children) with the respect they deserve--all at an incomparable price. The discovery of a neglected garden transforms the life of a sullen and unloved little girl-and everyone around her, too. When the newly orphaned Mary Lennox leaves her native India and arrives at the uncle's mansion in Yorkshire, everything seems strange to her. The Mary hears of a mysterious garden where no one has set foot in 10 years. With the help of some new friends, she plans to uncover its secrets...and make it blossom once again.

Use in Library Setting
This book could be used to talk about selfishness and gardening. With older students we can discuss ways that we can miss out if we continue to operate in selfishness, and if we want something to grow we must tend to it like a garden. After reading such a book an activity could be to plant flowers and see what happens if we neglect them or take care of them.