What do you think?
Rate this book
The Secret Garden
Seven titles in the popular "Young Reading" series are re-issued with hardback covers with audio CDs inserted into a wallet inside the back cover, making the book and CD easy to store together. "The Young Reading" series is developed with reading expert Alison Kelly from Roehampton University to help young readers grow in confidence and ability.
64 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2012
5 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Lesley Sims
242 books30 followersLesley dreamed of being a writer, but studied law as her mother insisted she had "something to fall back on". Since joining Usborne Publishing, she has written and edited hundreds of books, from funny rhyming stories to an award-winning history book. Nowadays, she is often found recording books, too, in Usborne's very own recording studio.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 26, 2024
It’s so refreshing
December 3, 2015
3.5
A shorter version of Frances Hodgson Burnett. Perfect introduction to the story for junior readers complete with a hardcover, ribbon bookmark and beautiful illustrations that allow the book to come alive.
A shorter version of Frances Hodgson Burnett. Perfect introduction to the story for junior readers complete with a hardcover, ribbon bookmark and beautiful illustrations that allow the book to come alive.
October 29, 2014
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett and it is a science fiction.Its told by third person omniscient and place is England,India,Yorkshire and i like the way of commnication in this story.
The theme of the story is Mary finds that she has a great fear of the outside world and mary's friend colin helps her and, to let her see the happiness of live. One event is when mary find the key of the secret garden the secret garden was closed 10 years ago before mary opens the lock of the door. When she meets a friend called Collin Craven then she tells him about the secret garden and to keep it a secret from others.
Mary Lennox is a very troubled,ill and lonely 10 year old girl and she was born in india. When her parents did not love or care about mary they decided to sent her to England Yorkshire to her uncle house.
Colin Craven was crying all night because he thought that his back hurts.One time mary heard someone crying she followed the sound and she found Collin Craven crying because his back pain then mary saw his back and told him there is nothing in his back.Ben Weatherstaff is ill like mary and he likes to talk to animals.
The theme of the story is Mary finds that she has a great fear of the outside world and mary's friend colin helps her and, to let her see the happiness of live. One event is when mary find the key of the secret garden the secret garden was closed 10 years ago before mary opens the lock of the door. When she meets a friend called Collin Craven then she tells him about the secret garden and to keep it a secret from others.
Mary Lennox is a very troubled,ill and lonely 10 year old girl and she was born in india. When her parents did not love or care about mary they decided to sent her to England Yorkshire to her uncle house.
Colin Craven was crying all night because he thought that his back hurts.One time mary heard someone crying she followed the sound and she found Collin Craven crying because his back pain then mary saw his back and told him there is nothing in his back.Ben Weatherstaff is ill like mary and he likes to talk to animals.
September 15, 2014
I think that this was a really exciting book about a girl who was in a foster home and got adopted. Her Father was very quiet and usually never talked. Based on the pictures on the walls she finds out that he used to be married to a beautiful women. She goes on an adventure to try and find out who this women was and ends up finding a secret garden that used to be hers. Through lots of searching and sneaking she finally finds out who this beautiful women was.
February 1, 2019
I read this shorter version of the Secret Garden to KS1. It was accessible for both Year 1 and 2. The illustrations are lovely and a great starting point for discussion. The spoken language in the story allows the reader to better understand the characters and their stories. The language used is lovely and descriptive and helps the reader to create their own image of the secret garden.
September 6, 2020
Really well done. 4yo loves it
June 1, 2021
I think five stars because the GARDEN was pretty good!❤️🧡💛💚💙💜💗🖤🤍!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 27, 2025
I thought this was the full book and was a bit disappointed it wasn’t.
October 2, 2025
A children s book likeee cmonn😆 very cute loved how the idea that all you need to do to improve your life is find the inner strengh within and change your vision was illustrated.cya✌🏽
September 28, 2013
Book Title: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Short Description of the Book: In this book, a sickly orphan, Mary Lennox, evolves as a character when she discovers a secret garden at her uncle’s manor. Through the power of hope, friendship, and the magic of nature, Mary brings the long-lost garden and occupants of the house back to life.
FOCUS: Narrative Features I would use in a Mini-Lesson:
1) Conflict: Frances Hodgson Burnett outlines characters whose major conflict is an internal struggle. The characters battle their own negative thoughts and must overcome their self-doubt. This narrative could show students how to write focusing on an internal conflict versus the typical external conflict seen in most books.
2) Point of View: Burnett uses the omniscient point of view where the narrator “knows all.” The narrator offers opinions and motivations of the characters, and is aware of the struggles that ensue that the characters do not always see at the beginning. The narrator has access to all of the characters thoughts and switches back and forth between them. This narrative could be used to outline a different point of view that students are not always accustomed to seeing. Most students’ habitual instinct is to write from first person point of view. This would be a nice change for their writing.
3) Themes: A variety of themes are included from Frances Hodgson Burnett. She analyzes the idea of magic, the relationship of good health versus deteriorating health, the effect of positive outlooks, the necessity of love and companionship, and many more. Students could choose one of the many themes to focus on for their narrative.
TEACH: Common Core Standards: English Language Arts (Grades 11-12)
W.11-12.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
1. Engage and orient the reader by setting out a problem, situation, or observation and its significance, establishing one or multiple point(s) of view, and introducing a narrator and/or characters; create a smooth progression of experiences or events.
2. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
3. Use a variety of techniques to sequence events so that they build on one another to create a coherent whole and build toward a particular tone and outcome (e.g., a sense of mystery, suspense, growth, or resolution).
4. Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters.
5. Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES: I hope students will learn how to write about an internal conflict and struggle within a character, how to use another point of view other than first person, and how to write with a theme in mind and a purpose for their audience.
Short Description of the Book: In this book, a sickly orphan, Mary Lennox, evolves as a character when she discovers a secret garden at her uncle’s manor. Through the power of hope, friendship, and the magic of nature, Mary brings the long-lost garden and occupants of the house back to life.
FOCUS: Narrative Features I would use in a Mini-Lesson:
1) Conflict: Frances Hodgson Burnett outlines characters whose major conflict is an internal struggle. The characters battle their own negative thoughts and must overcome their self-doubt. This narrative could show students how to write focusing on an internal conflict versus the typical external conflict seen in most books.
2) Point of View: Burnett uses the omniscient point of view where the narrator “knows all.” The narrator offers opinions and motivations of the characters, and is aware of the struggles that ensue that the characters do not always see at the beginning. The narrator has access to all of the characters thoughts and switches back and forth between them. This narrative could be used to outline a different point of view that students are not always accustomed to seeing. Most students’ habitual instinct is to write from first person point of view. This would be a nice change for their writing.
3) Themes: A variety of themes are included from Frances Hodgson Burnett. She analyzes the idea of magic, the relationship of good health versus deteriorating health, the effect of positive outlooks, the necessity of love and companionship, and many more. Students could choose one of the many themes to focus on for their narrative.
TEACH: Common Core Standards: English Language Arts (Grades 11-12)
W.11-12.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
1. Engage and orient the reader by setting out a problem, situation, or observation and its significance, establishing one or multiple point(s) of view, and introducing a narrator and/or characters; create a smooth progression of experiences or events.
2. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
3. Use a variety of techniques to sequence events so that they build on one another to create a coherent whole and build toward a particular tone and outcome (e.g., a sense of mystery, suspense, growth, or resolution).
4. Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters.
5. Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES: I hope students will learn how to write about an internal conflict and struggle within a character, how to use another point of view other than first person, and how to write with a theme in mind and a purpose for their audience.
November 10, 2012
The book is just magical from beginning to end. How Mary evolves while finding the garden and her relationship with Colin and Dickon are just a joy to read. To see how Mary and Dickon manage to help Colin out of his shell and later how his father return and see his son walking. Magical, just magical :o)
July 5, 2013
How can anyone read this beautiful book and not love it? It's prose, the delightful characters, and the true beauty in and out of the garden give this a magical feel and one that you wish would never end!
March 8, 2016
I loved this story, so I had read this book for more than 3 times. And this is also my first English book to read. It was easy for me to read. The secret garden means to me the best place or comfortable place.
February 3, 2015
My 6 year old enjoyed following along w/ the illustrated abridged book while listening to the CD.
February 3, 2016
Yes. New year resolution this year I want to improve my English. so, i'm start with a simple story and I love this. remind me my childhood time.
June 22, 2016
It was so exciting book! This is about science fiction and easy to understand and read. I can read this so fast.
June 28, 2016
A young orphan finds herself in an old manor house and discovers, amongst other things, a secret garden.
This was a pleasant short story and the underlying moral message was good.
This was a pleasant short story and the underlying moral message was good.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews