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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent
Absolutely charming. The audiobook's radio dramatization was excellent, with clear movement happening by the actors. The story was like The Secret Garden but only real (well, "real") and it reminded me of a favorite childhood book that no one I know has also read--The Hunky Dory Dairy, in which a girl stumbles on an old-timey farm in her neighborhood.
I had definitely guessed the reveal but it was no less delightful to reach.
I had definitely guessed the reveal but it was no less delightful to reach.
One of the first fantasy books I read as a child. Wonder if I should read this again?
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This has become one of my favorite children's books, alongside [b:Understood Betsy|347151|Understood Betsy|Dorothy Canfield Fisher|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1245261923s/347151.jpg|3234038], [b:A Little Princess|3008|A Little Princess|Frances Hodgson Burnett|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327868556s/3008.jpg|1313599], and [b:The Chronicles of Narnia|11127|The Chronicles of Narnia (#1-7)|C.S. Lewis|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166457868s/11127.jpg|781271]. The thing is, I love those other books because the main characters inspire me. I love Tom's Midnight Garden because the story enchants me. I don't think I've ever been drawn so into the wonderful "magic" of a story.
The story is set in England. A young boy has to go live in the city with his aunt and uncle because his brother has the measles. One night, he discovers a garden where the back alley is during the day. Each night he sneaks down into the garden to play and makes friends with a young girl who used to live in the house where his aunt and uncle now live in a flat. I won't tell more so you can discover it for yourself.
There is nothing objectionable in this book other than that the boy sneaks downstairs at night. It's necessary for the story and overall Tom is a very honest, sweet boy. The magic is never described as magic...just a play on Time. (In fact, the Time thing is quite similar to how the children enter Narnia through the wardrobe and spend time there, but when they come back, "real" time hasn't moved ahead at all. The difference is, Narnia is a fantasy world and Tom goes back into historical time.)
I ordered three copies of this book to give away. I just loved it!! I hope there is a good audio version so the girls and I can listen to it together.
The story is set in England. A young boy has to go live in the city with his aunt and uncle because his brother has the measles. One night, he discovers a garden where the back alley is during the day. Each night he sneaks down into the garden to play and makes friends with a young girl who used to live in the house where his aunt and uncle now live in a flat. I won't tell more so you can discover it for yourself.
There is nothing objectionable in this book other than that the boy sneaks downstairs at night. It's necessary for the story and overall Tom is a very honest, sweet boy. The magic is never described as magic...just a play on Time. (In fact, the Time thing is quite similar to how the children enter Narnia through the wardrobe and spend time there, but when they come back, "real" time hasn't moved ahead at all. The difference is, Narnia is a fantasy world and Tom goes back into historical time.)
I ordered three copies of this book to give away. I just loved it!! I hope there is a good audio version so the girls and I can listen to it together.