The Tanglewoods' Secret

by Patricia St. John

Ruth and her beloved brother Philip find solace in the expanse of the Tanglewoods' property. There they escape into bird watching, climbing, and general misadventures with their friend Terry.

But life with their Aunt is harsh, and Ruth suffers from an incorrigible temper. Just when she thinks she can't take it anymore, she learns a very special secret about a very special Shepherd. When a dreadful accident hurts one they love, Ruth and Philip learn that the Tanglewoods' Secret isn't meant to be kept a secret.

Genres: Christian, Fiction, Childrens, Christian Fiction, Classics, Middle Grade, Historical Fiction

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Patricia Mary St. John spent 27 years as a dedicated missionary to North Africa - and was also a prolific children's writer. Her books are loved and treasured around the world; some have been turned into stirring films. Gripping adventures which cover real life issues are her hallmark.

Reviews

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dacă erați copii mici și pocăiți și aveați o carte mică și tradusă puțin prost cu doi copii care se joacă în pădure și se numea misterul din pădure this is the one

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy every one of Patricia St. John's books that I've read. She has a way of weaving a wonderful story together with enough description that you can picture it all, and with real life characters who don't feel fake. Ruth and Philip both struggle in different ways living with their aunt and uncle while their parents are away. But Ruth's temper keeps leading her into more trouble until she really learns about the Good Shepherd. Then things begin to change. I found myself blinking back tears as I read which doesn't happen very often.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a reread from my childhood. It’s a wonderful book that shouldn’t be missed!

I’d particularly recommend it for family read aloud so that you can easily follow up reading time with discussions on salvation, heaven and loss.

Ruth is nine years old and her brother Philip is eleven. They live with their aunt and uncle in England out in the country, and love exploring the nature all around them. One day they find a boy in the wigwam they’ve made and the three-some have many adventures in the woods.

But underlying all of this summer fun, Ruth is discovering that it’s hard to be good, and often she stops trying, because what’s the use; she’ll just be bad again. When her temper flares up terribly against her aunt and she runs away, she finds herself at a church talking to the Pastor and learning about the Good Shepherd who looks for bad, wandering sheep in order to bring them home and help them be good.

Along with the characters, you’ll learn about salvation, how God can help you be good, what to do if you mess up, how to pray, what heaven is and how to cope with loss. And although this little book is crammed with this wonderful knowledge, it’s wrapped in a beautiful and well-told story!

Highly recommend!

Ages: 8+

Content considerations: all bad behavior is correctly resolved. There is a poignant death in the book.

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[Susie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ah I remember hating this book as a child. I couldn't relate to Ruth and found her incredibly annoying and whiny. On top of that I felt the religious message was clumsy and patronising - I preferred the subtler approach of C S Lewis.

[Tarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This charming story lets you walk alongside young Ruth and her brother Philip, as the Good Shepherd is discovered in their hearts. Through the help of some dear friends & unexpected events, the pair learns about God, the One who takes care of His little lambs in the pasture.

Ruth & Philip are good siblings and companions for each other, especially when they share their treasured romps in the woods. Together, they are intrigued & fascinated by every little creature, whether it's in the grass, the trees, or hiding someplace else.

It seems to me, as if these children have two main goals. One goal is to attempt to always evade Aunt Margaret's never-ending slew of chores. The other goal is to earn money... so that they can buy their dream camera, and finish their prized, homemade bird book.

The most important thing in this story though, is that the best secret of all is found out--and that's the Tanglewoods' Secret.

This book had very good morals for children of any age to learn. Older readers might decide to read this book aloud, so that even the young ones can enjoy it too. I loved this story very much. There's plenty of amusement to keep you entertained by all the colorful characters.

[Ty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I originally read this when I was 7 and liked the idea of being friends with kindly gentleman shepherds and building a wigwam in the woods. Rereading it at night this week was weirdly comforting, even if the "SECRET" seems to be that Jesus wants you to be so patronizing to poor people that they die.

Three stars for sentimental reasons. I still want that wigwam, and running away from home to fall asleep sobbing in an empty chapel like a five year old quasi-orphan girl is something I'm still capable of relating to/doing.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new Patricia St. John favorite. The best story of salvation you could read to your children, or to anyone.

[Manuel Alfonseca · Rating 3 out of 5]

ENGLISH: An expanded and extended version of the parable of the lost sheep and the Good Shepherd, in the form of a story about two children who learn gradually the Christian message and incorporate it into their lives.

I had read a single book by Patricia St.John, The Secret of Pheasant Cottage, fifth in this series.

ESPAÑOL: Versión ampliada y extendida de la parábola de la oveja perdida y del Buen Pastor, en forma de relato sobre dos niños que van aprendiendo poco a poco el mensaje cristiano e incorporándolo a sus vidas.

Antes había leído un solo libro de Patricia St.John, The Secret of Pheasant Cottage, el quinto de esta serie.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one the best - if not THE best - books I have read with my children. It was such a fun, believable, and heartwarming story about the parable of the lost sheep, with which we all can identify in terms of our walk with God. Ruth, a consistently selfish and naughty little girl realizes that while she tries so hard to be a good girl, it is impossible without her Good Shepherd to lovingly guide her to do so. We cannot be good, or do good, in our strength and selfish bents but we can in HIS strengh! Amazing book, leaving much to discuss with your children at the end of each chapter.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patricia St John’s books go into a lot of detail about plants, which shows her love of nature and attention to detail, but that can cause one’s eyes to glaze over if one isn’t familiar with the plants which she describes. This book was less defined when it came to people accepting Christ as Savior. The two main characters had very clear conversions but the others were much more fuzzy. However, the character development was fantastic. I wish I could give it 3.5 stars.

[Hailey White · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly heart warming modern day parable of the lost sheep. I read this aloud to my 9 year old daughter and we agreed it was one of our favorites. The author is talented at weaving biblical truths into a story that young children like and understand.

[Mckinley Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was too short! All the sweet Bible truths stood out like gems, and I really enjoyed reading them.

[Abigail Westbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a true treasure. I am so glad to have had the chance to introduce my kids to this beautiful portrayal of our Good Shepherd. I was in tears more than once and had to stop reading.

[Abigail Rowbory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really sad but also a very good book.

[Emma Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet little gem of a book that I would have detested as a kid and love now. I’m grateful that my pastors wife introduced me to it through my littlest sister.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, this book. It was a read aloud for homeschool and I cried my eyes out during the last few chapters. SO good, sweet, and powerful. Like a mix of The Boxcar Children and The Secret Garden with the gospel thrown in.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. The gospel is presented well here, and death is made less sad because of a few explanations in this book. I'm so glad for the message of this book: that Jesus can find you no matter how lost you are. That message really helped me when I was going through a hard time, and, I don't know, it just helped me to really believe that Jesus has the power to save me!

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boys really enjoyed this one. I will read it aloud again when my littlest ones are older.

September 2021–We just finished a reread of this one. When the children are reunited with their parents and St. John describes the interaction between Ruth and her mother, I can never read through it without crying. My sons don’t understand this, so I have to explain each time that you never stop missing your mother after the Good Shepherd takes her home.

[Mikayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, even though at one point its pretty sad and a bit to preachy it was amazing, I could really relate to Ruth, the main character.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dearly loved it as a child, but I'm afraid to re-read it lest the religious message completely overwhelm my nostalgia.

[Renee M Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this as a read aloud for school with MFW Creation to the Greeks. Read alouds are always the favorite part of each day.

•Ezra, my nearly 10 year old, said, “This was the best book we have read in all of time. I am a lot like Phillip because I love birds and I love drawing them and I am the oldest.”

•Piper, my 8.5 year old, said, “That was a really good story. I love how it ended on Christmas. I liked that it talks a lot about Jesus carrying us like sheep.”

•Zoe, my 6-almost-7-year-old 1st grader, said her favorite part was watching a baby owl hatch and exploring the woods.

•Haddon and Eliza, my 5 year old twins, listened and it was so sweet to watch the wheels in their brain understand the connection between Jesus and the Good Shepherd. Haddon’s favorite part of the book was a part about what the Good Shepherd did in chapter 18.

I, as the mom, was left in tears more than a few times. The way Patricia St. John is able to capture the essence of the gospel in the outworkings of children’s everyday lives is quite remarkable: daily chores and responsibilities, bitterness, curiosity, anger, disappointment, friendship, tragedy, redemption, love for all people. This is not just a book for children, it’s a book for anyone wanting a reminder that there isn’t a crag too deep or a precipice too tall that would keep the Good Shepherd from coming too his sheep.

My favorite quote comes from chapter 18, page 162. In the context of the larger story, in highlights St. John’s ability to weave fiction with the beautiful truths of Scripture:

”There were many footsteps up and down the house that night while we lay asleep…But no one heard the feet of the Good Shepherd…”

(I cannot share the full quote at risk of spoiling such a heartfelt moment).

[Книжни Криле · Rating 4 out of 5]

„Тайната на Дивата гора” (изд. „Нов човек”) от Патриция Сейнт Джон е детско-юношески роман, съдържащ доста мелодрама и християнски ценности. Докато родителите им са в Индия, Рут и брат ѝ Филип са принудени да живеят с взискателната си леля. Те намират утеха в простора на Дивата гора, където изкарват времето си в наблюдаване на птици, катерене и премеждия с приятеля си Тери. Домашните задължения карат инатливата Рут постоянно да се противи на леля си и точно когато си мисли, че не може да понесе повече, тя научава тайната за един много специален овчар. Когато ужасна злополука наранява човек, когото обичат, Рут и Филип разбират, че тайната на Дивата гора не е предназначена да се пази в тайна. Прочетете ревюто на „Книжни Криле”: https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...

[Claire Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

School drive audiobook. Most of the kids really loved it, but all of them appreciated the imagery throughout of Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

A warning: Unfortunately, for those of us who are familiar with the “Put it in reverse, Terry!” video.. a main character is named Terry and this did affect our listening skills as “Oh No Terry!” could not help but bubble out of our brains whenever said character’s name was mentioned. This is not the author’s fault. But perhaps a new edition could be published with a different name for Terry.

[Lydia Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story the author did an amazing Patricia St. John did amazing work on this book I love that after Ruth excepts Jesus you see and others see that she has changed her temper is not as bad as it was and she is happier I suggest highly recommend this book but fair warning to you I almost cried because while filled with happiness is has its sorrow as well and thought Ruth struggled with the sorrow I love that the man she meets in the woods helps her and if I remember the book correctly I read it a little while back he also helps her to understand that the good LORD is always in control.

[Brittany Roberson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been slowly reading through Patricia St. John’s books for myself and as a pre-read for my kids. I remember The Tanglewoods’ Secret in particular as a child! I mostly remember a very naughty girl named Ruth, whose disobedience horrified me as a child. 😆

Revisiting it as an adult has been insightful. I identify way more with the “naughty girl” than I used to as the depths of my own sinful nature have been gently shown to me over the years.

I do love the emphasis on Jesus as our Shepherd in this book. And Ruth’s salvation story when she asks Jesus to be her personal Shepherd. Tho book does not have as happy an ending as some others of her work. There is death. But thankful for the promise of heaven the kids cling to in this story.

Treasures of the Snow probably remains my favorite Patricia St. John book, but I am excited for my kids to meet the kids in this story soon.

[Jennifer McMaster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as an older child and remember enjoying it.

[Brianna Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another St John book that brought me to tears! This story beautifully displays the heart of the Good Shepherd to rescue and care for his sheep. I love how Patricia showed the wondrous truth of how a little revelation can be shared to bring light and goodness to many.

[Chrissie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly think Patricia St John is becoming one of my favourite authors to read to the kids. How beautifully she tells stories and how beautifully she weaves the gospel in to them.

[Gloria Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like it but wish it wasn’t so much about God. Why do all the books by Patricia St John have to be sooooo much about God? Can’t she write a book about a girl called Ruth with a brother called Philip and they had a bad aunt, so one day they ran away and a kind person found them and so the story ended happily—and with no mention of God! Honestly! WHY is EVERYTHING I read about God? That’s the problem of having Christian parents, I suppose. I can’t read Harry Potter (not that I particularly want to anyway) or How to Train Your Dragon or anything. Anyway, I’m glad Ruth isn’t TOO goody-goody—not until she met her darling Shepherd or whatever.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best children's books that I have ever read to my children! (And I have read a lot over 30 years of parenting! ) We both loved it!