Children's Books· United Kingdom
The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson BurnettAggregate Editorial Score41/100
BBC Big Read
Published 1911256 pagesEnglish
Buy on Amazon → About This Book
Published in 1911, The Secret Garden established Frances Hodgson Burnett as one of the defining voices in children's books. Orphan Mary Lennox, sent to a gloomy Yorkshire manor, discovers a locked garden that transforms both her and the sickly boy who lives in the house. Burnett's beloved novel is a celebration of the healing power of nature and the possibility of renewal. Themes of garden, healing, nature run through the work. The book has received recognition from BBC Big Read 1911.
Book Details
About the Category
🧸 Children's Books
Picture books, middle-grade fiction, and early readers.
Explore all Children's Books books →Country of Origin
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
This book is part of United Kingdom's rich literary tradition.
Explore books from United Kingdom →Editorial Assessment
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett sits within the tradition of children's books that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1911 in United Kingdom, it engages with garden, healing, nature, childhood in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention.
The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Among its recognitions: BBC Big Read 1911. Its aggregate editorial score of 41/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals.
The appeal of The Secret Garden lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of garden, healing, nature, childhood is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page.
Within United Kingdom's literary landscape, Frances Hodgson Burnett occupies a significant position. The Secret Garden is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.
Awards & Recognition
BBC Big Read
list · national
191117
Frances Hodgson Burnett is a celebrated author from United Kingdom known for influential works of childrens.
What to Read Next
childrens
The One and Only Bob
Katherine Applegate· 2020
★Newbery Medal
Editorial Score83/100
literary-fiction
Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha
Roddy Doyle· 1994
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score72/100
fantasy
The Graveyard Book
Neil Gaiman· 2009
★Hugo Award
Editorial Score68/100
childrens
The Ghost of Thomas Kempe
Penelope Lively· 1973
★Carnegie Medal
Editorial Score61/100
childrens
The Wonderful Adventures of Nils
Selma Lagerlöf· 1906
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score60/100
childrens
Anne of Green Gables
Lucy Maud Montgomery· 1908
Editorial Score50/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Popular on 50 Best Books
Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides








