“Affectionate and informative, Unearthing the Secret Garden is not unlike a garden itself, with its smooth lawns of prose and striking shows of illustration and photography.” —The Wall Street Journal

“With a sprightly tone, infectious enthusiasm, and a professor’s penchant for scholarly detail, McDowell brings keen insight and critical assessment to the life and works of this beloved author.” —Booklist

The Secret Garden is one of the most beloved children’s classics, and its author Frances Hodgson Burnett was not only a prolific writer but also a lover of flowers and gardens. In Unearthing The Secret Garden, Marta McDowell delves into Burnett’s professional and gardening life. McDowell chronicles how Burnett’s interest in gardens developed along with her work as a writer. Readers will learn about Burnett’s three gardens in England, Long Island, and Bermuda. Gardeners will delight in the guide to plats featured in The Secret Garden and McDowell’s transcriptions of three of Burnett’s garden-themed short stories. Throughout, the delightful text is complimented by period illustrations and contemporary photographs.

This deeply moving and gift-worthy book is a must-read for fans of The Secret Garden and anyone who loves the story behind the story.