The Secret Garden

This is the beloved story of Mary, the orphan from India; Colin, the invalid son of heartbroken Mr. Craven; and the once loved garden that brings each child to a newly awakened sense of self and the world. When Mary returns to her uncle's house in England, the bereaved and lonely child becomes more so until the household staff implore her to investigate the world outside. The lost key to Mrs. Craven's garden is unearthed, the house explored, and Colin befriended. In this abridgment, the overall sense is idyllic. The scenes that bear witness to the deeper changes in the two children and the haunting beauty of the story are not included. Nonetheless, the presentation is pleasing, with a British flavor to the narration and appropriate period music. Narration of title and tape number information would provide more ease in listening. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

July 14, 2003
Soothing and mellifluous, native Briton Bailey's voice proves an excellent instrument for polishing up a new edition of Burnett's story. Bratty and spoiled Mary Lennox is orphaned when her parents fall victim to a cholera outbreak in India. As a result, Mary becomes the ward of an uncle in England she has never met. As she hesitantly tries to carve a new life for herself at imposing and secluded Misselthwaite Manor, Mary befriends a high-spirited boy named Dickon and investigates a secret garden on the Manor grounds. She also discovers a sickly young cousin, Colin, who has been shut away in a hidden Manor room. Together Mary and Dickon help Colin blossom, and in the process Mary finds her identity and melts the heart of her emotionally distant uncle. Bailey makes fluid transitions between the voices and accents of various characters, from terse Mrs. Medlock and surly groundskeeper Ben to chipper housemaid Martha. And most enjoyably, she gives Mary a believably childlike voice. A brief biography of the author is included in an introduction. Ages 6-12.

This timeless classic has been produced a number of times; the book offers a wonderful opportunity for a narrator, and Wanda McCaddon eagerly takes up its various challenges. McCaddon deftly handles the story's variety of accents, distinguishing between class and regional accents, including the broad Yorkshire spoken by Dicken. Though at times McCaddon doesn't distinguish as clearly between some characters' voices--her Colin and Mary sound quite alike in places--this has little ill effect. Because McCaddon is so engaged by the story and because Hodgson Burnett's characters are so distinct, they leave little room for confusion. The overall effort is very satisfying. This unabridged version is a great choice for family listening. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

May 1, 2002
Gr 4-7-Although an abridgement, this audiobook captures the essence of the classic children's novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Raised in India, Mary Lennox is sent to live with an uncle she never met at Misselthwaite Manor in England when her parents die. At first, Mary hates living on the English moors. Like her deceased parents, Mary's uncle ignores the child and leaves her in the care of the housekeeper and other servants. Encouraged to play outside by Martha, a housemaid, Mary meets Ben Weatherstaff, a gardener, and she learns about the secret garden. While playing in the garden, Mary discovers the locked door leading in to the secret garden. One night, Mary hears someone crying, and discovers her invalid cousin in a dark room. The two children explore the healing magic of the secret garden. British actress Jenny Agutter narrates the story with a carefully modulated accent, and classical music plays in the background. Despite the quality of the audiobook, the Victorian language may be a deterrent and the story's plot may be outdated for most modern listeners. Consider adding this audiobook to collections where classic children's literature is popular.-Sarah Prielipp, Chippewa River District Library System, Mt. Pleasant, MI

Copyright 2002 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.