Mary is a sour nine-year old girl whose neglectful parents die in India and she is taken to an even more neglectful uncle in a gothic castle in a remote part of England. Interest in something outside herself is sparked when Martha, the servant assigned to look after her, is shocked that Mary never learned how to dress herself. There had been no need. Martha has other duties so Mary is left alone. Her explorations lead her out in the late winter air and to an obsession with finding "the secret garden." She discovers an even bigger secret of another child in the house. Through magic and exercise, both children are transformed. This highly entertaining book is a wonderful read for all ages. The characters are wonderful, especially Mary, Colin, Ben Weatherstaff and the "Yorkshire angel" Dickon. The changes that happen to both Mary and Colin throughout the book are a delight to observe. You will feel protected and happy once you have finished this book, things turn out happily, for the best and the image you will have in your head of the Secret Garden surpasses anything you will have ever seen in real life - and that is fine, for this is literature. Read it.