The Secret Garden: A Graphic Novel

I will preface this review by admitting I haven’t read The Secret Garden in years, so even though I love the story, I had forgotten quite a bit. As far as I can remember though, I believe this adaptation was true to the original and such a lovely way to remind me of a story I loved as a young girl. This graphic novel was magical. The illustrations were gorgeous, colorful, and captured the story brilliantly. There was so much hope and joy throughout the pages. I especially loved the sections at the end that detailed Frances Hodgson Burnett’s life and the places featured in the story, as well as a note about the author’s choice to leave out the parts of the story where Mary lived in India “because they don’t do justice to the history of British oppression in colonial India.” The author does not dismiss these injustices and does give a brief summary of the history of colonial India as it pertains to the story. Perhaps my favorite additional feature is the glossary included in the back that describes words younger readers might not know, as well as the many flowers and plants described and depicted in the graphic novel. If you love The Secret Garden, need a refresher like I did, or want an easily accessible way to introduce a classic to younger readers, I highly recommend reading this adaptation and being swept away in the beauty of the garden!!

I love this story when I was a child and it was nice to re-read it. I highly recommend it for those who want to just get lost on the moors.

I picked up this graphic novel just to complete one of the Kindle reading challenges. It is well done with beautiful illustrations I liked revisiting a favorite book from my childhood. It would be a great introduction to this book for a young person. The wonderful commentary at the end of the book that explains much about the story would be a great encouragement for someone to go back and read the novel itself.

This book was okay but it left me wondering about a lot of things. There were a bunch of questions that weren't answered. Why was the boy sick? Was he really dying? What happened to him afterwards? Did he live a normal life? Did Mary? I don't like when books that have you guessing at the ending, otherwise the story was interesting and a quick read.

I loved the simplicity of the art and this was such a fun new version of a great story. I loved it.

This graphic novel is a good rendition of the original novel, The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It is beautifully illustrated and the storyline is true to the original novel. I would recommend it for young readers who might be unable to read the longer, original story.

I have never read a graphic novel. When I was a kid I read comic books. This is not my preferred way to read. But I was glad I tried it

I really like these “Graphic Novel” type children’s books. If your child is on the line of whether they like reading or not, these will push them over. They’re very engaging and offer a great way for a child to read without giving them an overwhelming text filled monstrosity.