Mandy

by Julie Andrews Edwards

The magic of finding a home Mandy, a ten-year-old orphan, dreams of a place to call her own. Escaping over the orphanage wall to explore the outside world, Mandy discovers a tiny deserted cottage in the woods. All through the spring, summer, and fall, Mandy works to make it truly hers. Sometimes she "borrows" things she needs from the orphanage. Sometimes, to guard her secret, she even lies. Then, one stormy night at the cottage, Mandy gets sick, and no one knows how to find her--except a special friend she didn't know she had.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Classics, Historical Fiction, Juvenile

279 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Dame Julie Elizabeth Andrews Edwards, DBE is an award-winning English actress, singer, author and cultural icon. She is the recipient of Golden Globe, Emmy, Grammy, BAFTA, People's Choice Award, Theatre World Award, Screen Actors Guild and Academy Award honours. Andrews rose to prominence after starring in Broadway musicals such as My Fair Lady and Camelot, as well as musical films like Mary Poppins (1964) and The Sound of Music (1965).

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books when I was younger, and I JUST FIGURED OUT THAT IT WAS WRITTEN BY JULIE ANDREWS

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

As of ten minutes ago I finished this book by Julie Andrews. Even though I work in a book store I came across this title in a back door sort of way. A couple of months ago I was boasting to my friend that I have a really good success rate with finding books for customers when there is almost nothing to go on. Taking me up on the challenge she asked if I knew about this children's book...details: main character is Mandy and she has her own world beyond a big wall. It was fairly easy to find - the title was a big help - and I ordered her a copy saying that I would read it myself before delivering it to her at our next meeting.

So, I just finished it after reading the bulk of it today (pgs 82-304).

Now, as a disclaimer, I'm a bit of a weeper. Movies, TV shows, commercials (God help me) all have the potential to make my eyes water a bit... or... a lot. I try to keep it to myself mostly because my boyfriend thinks that it's terribly adorable and will sit with an 'aren't-you-sweet' pout on his face while laughing at me. Sometimes there are exceptions where I will sit and openly sob with a messy tissue or two at my side. This book was one of those absolute tear-jerkers for me. When my boyfriend found me he implored our cat to "stay away from that book because it will make you sad." Not sad, really, just a feeling of kinship.

Mandy is a little, 10-year-old girl living her days in an orphanage. Although she is very well cared for she has an adventurous streak that has the promise of getting her into a fix. After climbing a wall behind the orphanage's back orchard she discovers a charming little cottage which she is determined to make her own. Trouble ensues, of course.

The deal here is that she is sent on a roller coaster of emotions that, while they're written about in the simplest of ways, are quite profound and deep. And isn't that how children feel? A problem at the age of 10 may seem easy for someone the age of 30 but the emotions are all relative. I found that what she was dealing with at 10 were some of the same frightening hurtles that I dealt with as well since coming from a troubled childhood.

You may not feel the same about your life as you read through her experience (I kind of hope that you don't) but you will certainly feel sympathetic about her situation as you read. This would make an excellent book for a child that is reading chapter books because it teaches many lessons so subtlely and with such compassion that a child could easily absorb the message.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Precious story of an orphan finding a place of her own, which feels like an updated version of The Secret Garden, with more than a dash of A Little Princess thrown in! And yes, it's written by THAT Julie Andrews! And written well!

[Jenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is anything more satisfying than reading about someone else doing a lot of tidying up?

[Jenny (Reading Envy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a favorite in my childhood, right up there with The Secret Garden and The Swing in the Summerhouse. Any book with a lonely child creating a world for herself in nature was right up my alley, since that's what I did too!


(Guessing at the read date, obviously, just so it wouldn't add it to this year's reading list.)

[Heidi (can’t retire soon enough) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first picked this up because it was written by Julie Andrews, during my "I love the Sound of Music" phase, but I soon discovered a sweet tale that I re-read from time to time as I got older.

If you love The Secret Garden, then this is the kind of children's book for you.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give it 10 stars. This is one of the most warm, comforting, emotionally moving stories for kids and if you are smart to toss aside meaningless labels, for adults as well.

Mandy is 10 years old and something of a loner at the orphanage where she has lived most of her life. The Matron and staff are kind to the children and try to make a real home for them but Mandy longs for something more. She has a friend and room mate named Sue who she frustrates by wanting to be alone so much she frustrates Sue who needs and wsnts time with her friend.

One day Mandy goes over the back wall in the orphanage orchard and explores. She finds an abandoned cottage in need of care and soon is buying, borrowing and stealing items to fix up the cottage with the shell room in it and its garden. We see her desperate need for the cottage and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the garden, animals, and work Mandy did to make it a special place.

Troubles come- she is caught stealing, she breaks some borrowed shears, she gets grounded, Sue discovers her secret place- and then- the property is purchased just as a mysterious stranger begins doing things at the cottage and leaving her notes. When Mandy goes to the cottage one day to leave a note, she is so sick she collapses. What happens then will amaze you and warm your heart. We get a glimpse inside the head and heart of an orphan and the myriad of emotions she feels.

This is a beautiful book, a keeper, and something every child (boys and girls) should read. I recommend it to every adult too. It will make you feel things you never expected a child's book to make you feel.

[Cindy aka "The Book Fairy" · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good little tale and special story! It was a happy one as I expected.... I wanted to read some of the childhood "classics" that I had somehow missed growing up (there weren't too many though thankfully)

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought and read this book because I’m a huge Julie Andrews fan. I also love orphan stories; I’ve even designated a Goodreads shelf for orphan books. Anyway, this one really touched my heart and it’s a really well written and interesting story. Deserves to be a classic.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mandy lives in an orphanage. It is a nice place but Mandy longs for a place of her own. This book has a slow pace and lots of details of nature and the seasons. Mandy finds an abandoned cottage and makes it her own.

We liked this book but it was completely predictable. We would have enjoyed it more if the orphanage had been a horrible place to escape from, although there are plenty of stories along these lines we felt it would have added some excitement.

Part of the book I changed as I read aloud. Personally I found a young girl being sent gifts and letters from an anonymous man who signed himself from 'an admirer' unsuitable so changed this to 'from a friend'.

I think I would have enjoyed this much more as a child and more than my daughter did as I loved to read about making a home or finding parents. This book has some lovely parts.

[Skip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure how I missed this one as a youth, perhaps this was the stage when I was reading only books about sports. Regardless, this is a feel good story about an 10-year-old orphan names Mandy, who is treated well in her orphanage, and yet she yearns for something. Seeking adventure, Mandy climbs a stone wall behind the orphanage, where she discovers a charming little cottage, fallen into disrepair. She decides to make this her special place, and begins disappearing regularly, even from her best friend, Sue. She gets very sick, and cannot get back until her knight in shining armor appears at the behest of the orphanage matron.

Amazingly, this book was written by the Julie Andrews and the illustrations are a nice supplement.

[Marci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julie Andrews Edwards of Mary Poppins fame grew up to be an author. Who would have thought? This charming, lovely tale is very reminiscent of The Little Princess or The Secret Garden. Mandy, an orphan, one day peeks over the orphanage wall to discover a seemingly abandoned cottage and is soon embarking on an adventure that will enthrall readers young and old. Mandy, Ms. Andrews-Edwards 2nd novel, is a beautifully written, joyous story.

[Devin · Rating 5 out of 5]

finally got my hands on a childhood favorite. just as sweet & earnest as I remembered. thank u julie andrews

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my kids this summer, and I was surprised to discover I only remembered about a third of it, even though I thought I had read it over and over when I was a kid myself. I think that I actually just reread my favorite parts over and over back then, which were all the parts where Mandy is planting a garden and cleaning the cottage. I remember those parts vividly, but there were huge parts of the book that weren't familiar at all.

As a kid, I did not know that the Julie Edwards who wrote Mandy was actually Julie Andrews who played Mary Poppins and Maria Von Trapp -- my copy only has the name Julie Edwards on the cover because that was the name she published it under. I guess she wanted her writing to be taken seriously for its own sake and not just because she was a famous actress, so she published it under her married name. Now, though, she's published a lot of books under her full name, so modern copies have her full name of Julie Andrews Edwards on it.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of my all time favorites as a kid. I loved the romance of finding a cottage, cleaning it up, and calling it my own. It affected me enough that I named my own daughter Amanda and she prefers "Mandy". I have an elderly friend that was a hoarder. When I was trying to sort through her stuff, I'd try to imagine I was living the story and just 'cleaning things up a bit', instead of the reality of being a hoarder's friend. Made things marginally better. I think this story should be made into a movie. Julie should have the background to know how to get that started!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this sweet children’s book called Mandy by Julie Edwards AKA Julie Andrews of Mary Poppins and Sound of Music fame.

Delightful story of a young girl who lives at an orphanage and discovers a cottage that she makes her own little secret home.

Little does she know that this secret will lead her to something special.

[Katie Ziegler (Life Between Words) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this long ago as a child and decided it was high time for a reread as my memories of it are so fond. It is a sweet, heartfelt tale of a little orphan girl who is looking for a place of her own. But what she really wants (of course) is a family of her own. It captured my imagination as a child and delighted me as an adult. I really enjoyed reading this book again. :)

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book after reading Julie Andrews's autobiography. I am so glad that I did. It is a touching story about a sweet small girl living in an orphanage and her adventures. As I was reading it, I could imagine Julie Andrews reading it to me which made it all the more special to me. I truly enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it to anyone who likes childhood adventures.

[Andrew Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a month to finish this book but I’ve been in the biggest reading slump since November, ever since I got back into writing. I’m going to make a goal reading 140 pages a week, but I’ll definitely read more, probably, but it will be something.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and sweet story!

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story..

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not long ago, I went on a nostalgia kick, rereading favorite books from my younger years. Many of them still entertained and enchanted me despite my being now far older than their intended audience. Mandy, unfortunately, did not.

I think I may have gone just a little too young this time. The book has a sometimes-irritating “written for a child” tone to it. It’s not the age of the protagonist, exactly; Mandy is ten, but Maggie would have been about the same age (she was in fifth grade, so ten or eleven) and Behind the Attic Wall didn’t have this feel to it. The kind of feel where you can just hear someone reading it aloud, overstressing every other word in that exaggerated sort of expression sometimes used for reading to young children.

I think it may come down to how far into the protagonist’s head we get, in some ways. Behind the Attic Wall is a story about a fifth-grade girl, and we get snatches of Maggie’s thoughts, but we’re not in her head as much as we’re in Mandy’s. With Mandy, we get a lot of details about what thought processes go into her decision to, say, climb over the orphanage wall, or approach the cottage. Maggie just does most things without filling in a lot of detail about why, or what she’s thinking, or how she responds mentally or emotionally. Those things aren’t absent, though; we see them in her actions and reactions. We are shown rather than told.

And part of it is just the simplicity of the whole thing, I think. There’s not a lot of intro time; we’re told straight out what Mandy’s situation is, and then we go right into her finding her secret little cottage. Once found, the story is straightforward and uncomplicated. No mysteries to solve, no secondary plotlines, just the story of a little orphan girl cleaning up a cottage and creating her own special place and how that leads her to find a family. There isn’t much depth to any of the characters. Even the sentences tend in that direction. Oh, not all of them, certainly, but there seem to be an awful lot of short, simple statements used, as though to keep the language itself uncomplicated. (Although then Edwards goes and uses what seem like sort of big words for the reading level the sentence structure is aimed at, so I’m not sure what to think there.)

Which maybe is understandable in a book aimed at “young readers”, but… I don’t know. I keep having this feeling that a book shouldn’t have to be brought down to their level, as it were, that way. Or maybe that “their level” is a little higher than this. I mean, I hate to keep harping on the comparisons here, but this and Behind the Attic Wall are both recommended for the same age range (8-12), and it managed an age-appropriate story without dumbing it down. Ditto L.M. Montgomery's Emily of New Moon, as I recall.

It’s not that I don’t think it’s still a worthwhile book. I’m certainly going to keep it around for my daughter when she gets old enough. I’m just probably not going to revisit it myself until then, and I’ll make sure that she has other more complex material available too. But I remember it being a fun read, sparking my imagination and inspiring me to some degree, when I was younger. The descriptions of the cottage and the garden and Mandy’s improvements to them are wonderful. The story is heartwarming. It’s all right, but I think it’s time to let it sit and wait for the next generation.

[Treasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mandy, a ten-year-old orphan, has lived all her life in the large St. Martins Orphanage run by Matron Birdie. While she has many friends and is happy at the orphanage, she can't help but wonder what else is out there, especially what is over the stone wall at the back of the orphanage's orchard. Upon climbing the wall, Mandy discovers a cottage and a whole world that she makes her own.

What a beautiful book. I had read it years ago, when I was little, but hadn't read it since then. I came across it the other day and thought it might be a good book to give my almost 7-year-old niece, but I thought I should read it first. After reading it, I have decided that it is a little too emotionally mature for her. Mandy's desperate need to feel loved and to feel that there is a place that is specifically hers is pretty intense and really fills the whole book. I think I will give it to my niece in a couple years. If I remember correctly, I read the book in 5th grade, but younger children could read it. Some of the emotion might go over the child's head, but that wouldn't take away from the lovely story.

It was SO wonderful to reread this book. I knew I had loved it when I was little, but I had forgotten most of the plot. It was an absolute joy to reread it and re-experience the wonder of watching the story unfold. And I know I got more out of it this time through, noticing more of what Mandy was feeling. When I was little, I thought it was just a story about a little girl finding a cottage and a garden that she took care of. This time, I saw how much that cottage and garden were Mandy's attempt at having a place (and, in a way, a family) to call her own.

Such a great book. I would give it more stars if I could.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the only thing more magical than Mary Poppins in the actress who played her. And I had no idea she had written books herself until very recently. While Julie Andrews might not be the most artistic author when it comes to prose, the story she told in Mandy is incredibly sweet. I was enchanted by the little orphan and the secret cottage into which she pours her love and longing. Andrews did a great job conveying the loneliness and depression and confusion that such a child must feel, and how baffling and unexplainable such feelings would be for said child.

Some of my favorite books of all time are A Little Princess, The Secret Garden, and Anne of Green Gables. Mandy had flavors of all three of these books, both in setting and main character. While this book isn’t anywhere near these three in terms of beautiful prose, the story is charming and compelling enough to make up for it. This was a wonderful story with a happy ending that didn’t shy away from painful things, but provided a balm to heal them after exposing them. The hard topics were deftly handled, and I think this is a book that any child would love to escape into for a day.

[Caty Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I read it aloud to my daughters (7 & 5). Overall it was a sweet story with a happy ending. However, I did not like the lying, sneaking, and stealing Mandy did to tend to the abandoned cottage she found. In fact at certain times she was quite rude to her friend, Sue, and she was dishonest with Matron because she was so obsessed with the cottage. Then in the end all of the wrong was just completely ignored. She did return some of the stolen items, but she didn't have to apologize for sneaking and lying. She got a happy ending and a family which was lovely and sweet, but I definitely talked with my girls about how some of her behavior was wrong.

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my very favorite books from childhood. Just wonderful.

[Sonu · Rating 5 out of 5]

It reminded me of the secret garden book. And since i knew book is written by julie Andrews i kept picturing her talking and reading this book. Beautiful book for me.

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,25 stars - English Ebook

Review follows later.

[Jake N · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's one of the best books I've ever read. And it seems even more exciting because my mom already had read it to me once. It's about a little girl, 10 years old, like me - except she's an orphan - and she wants something of her own. She finds a little cottage in the woods and makes it her own but no one knows about it. At the end something very exciting happens, but I"m not going to tell you or it would ruin the story! - Margret age 10