A story filled with secrets, soon to be revealed and Mary, the main character, finds out who her family really is. The Secret Garden is an extraordinary children's book that talks about learning who you are and being able to make dreams come true. In 1991, The Secret Garden won the Tony Awards for best book of a musical, Best Featured Actress in a musical (Daisy Eagan), and Best Scenic Design (Heidi Landesman). This is a book that has changed my perspective on reading. A book that made me want to read endlessly with every suspense and secret there is. 

The Secret Garden is a story about a young orphan girl named Mary, who is adopted by her uncle, Archibald Craven, after an accident with her parents. When Mary wanders alone she starts to become lost and hears crying. But then Martha, the maid who is put incharge of her, tells Mary that it’s just the wind. Mary then begins to explore outside and one day runs into a bird. The bird flies around and Mary follows it until it flies over a brick wall. Mary is then met with a door that won’t open but has a keyhole. Mary keeps bringing everything up to Martha but Martha explains to Mary that they aren’t allowed to speak of it. One day while exploring, Mary hears the crying once more and follows it.

Mary Lennox, a remarkable character in the Secret Garden, teaches readers how to be self-dependent and have self love. Mary in the beginning of the story is seen as an unlovable stubborn child, but when she starts to learn about herself she starts to become an outgoing lovable person. Not only does Mary uncover secrets about the home but she starts to uncover things about herself too. Mary also goes to show that dreams come true if you put effort. But a character who I can connect with is Colin. At the beginning of the story, Colin is a sick child who is stuck mourning about him not being able to live for very long. After his mother died, his father started to give up on him and Colin fell into a deep depression. But throughout the story he and Mary both are able to grow together and Mary helps Colin see the better side of things and helps Colin enjoy his life.

The main message of this story is to heal. The power of love and being able to transform the worst of things into something beautiful is displayed all throughout this story. Mary and Colin being able to transform their lives and help grow the garden together is a huge display of healing. So is Mary helping Colin out of his depression. The garden going from dead flowers and leaves to a blooming flourishing garden is an easier visual display of this healing.

Anyone who loves suspense and secrets would love this book. This book really keeps you on your toes, with all the secrets it has for display, and showing different social problems that aren't talked about enough.