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The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett: Hardcover Hardcover -

by Frances Hodgson Burnett


About this book

The Secret Garden, written by Frances Hodgson Burnett, has remained one of the most popular children’s books since its publication in The American Magazine in 1910. The story tells of childhood emotions and experiences while keeping the central theme - if something is cared for, it will thrive. 

The Secret Garden introduces us to a sour little girl, Mary Lennox, who is NOT a pleasure to be around. In fact, she yells like a little princess, can't make friends, and simply despises everything.

She remains quite contrary until she helps her garden grow - and finds someone worse off than herself to bring along for the ride. 

Burnett was a British American novelist and playwright, best known for her novels Little Lord Fauntleroy, A Little Princess, and The Secret Garden. She regularly found inspiration through her observations of nature and the walled gardens at Maytham Hall in Kent England.

The American Magazine published the first edition of The Secret Garden in 1910


From the publisher

At the turn of the 20th century, Mary Lennox is a sickly, neglected, unloved 10-year-old girl, born in India to wealthy British parents who never wanted her and made an effort to ignore the girl. She is cared for primarily by native servants, who allow her to become spoiled, aggressive and self-centred. After a cholera epidemic kills Mary's parents and the few surviving servants flee the house, Mary awakes to find herself alone. She is discovered by British soldiers who place her in the care of an English clergyman, whose children taunt her by calling her "Mistress Mary, quite contrary". However, this is only temporary: she is soon sent to England, to live with her wealthy hunchbacked uncle Archibald Craven (whom she has never met) at his isolated mansion Misselthwaite Manor on the Yorkshire Moors.


First Edition Identification

The book was first published by Heinemann in London in 1911 with illustrations by Charles Heath Robinson as a British edition.  The first American edition was published by Fredrick A Stokes and Company with illustration by Maria Louise Kirk. 

The original British edition features green cloth with gilt titles & decoration to the upperboard and spine. This can be identified by a publication date on the front panel.


The First American released two editions simultaneously, one featuring the publisher’s green cloth with illustration only on the upper board and gilt lettering to the spine. The other in blue cloth without illustrations.


Details

  • Title The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett: Hardcover
  • Author Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Pages 246
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Sahara Publisher Books
  • ISBN 9782382260791 / 2382260793
  • Weight 1.04 lbs (0.47 kg)
  • Dimensions 9 x 6 x 0.63 in (22.86 x 15.24 x 1.60 cm)
  • Ages 04 to 08 years
  • Grade levels P - 3
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC