If you liked The Secret Garden, you are most likely looking for something to read next and you probably don't need me to tell you about classics such as Anne of Green Gables or another of Frances Hodgson Burnett's books, The Little Princess.
Here's a list of contemporary books similar to The Secret Garden in that they explore themes such as characters growing into their new homes, self-discovery, transforming one's surroundings, uncovering secrets and learning to connect with others who are struggling.
Oh, and there are a few surprises thrown in, too.
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THE CLOCKWORK CROW (series) by Catherine Fisher
The setting of The Clockwork Crow is evocative of The Secret Garden. Fisher's story of 12 year old orphan, Seren Rhys, hits a lot of the same notes as the classic tale, but has a fun magical element to it. While waiting for the train to her new home, a man leaves a mysterious box with her for safekeeping. He also gives her a warning: don't assemble the contents. (You know she obviously will!) Seren's new home in Wales is a rambling manor, abandoned by the family after the mysterious disappearance of their son. Despite the housekeeper's sharp admonitions, Seren is determined to find the missing boy, along with the help of the newly assembled Clockwork Crow. Ages 8 and up.
THE VANDERBEEKERS AND THE HIDDEN GARDEN (series) by Karina Yan Glaser
This is the second book in Glaser's marvelous Vanderbeekers series about a biracial family in present day Harlem, New York City. With the hope of bringing joy to a neighbor who is ill, and another neighbor who is grieving, the Vanderbeeker children decide to turn an abandoned church lot into a magical garden. But they only have 17 days to get the work done! All the books in the series make great read alouds for the whole family. Ages 8 and up.
MORE: Books Like The Vanderbeekers
THE SCHOOL BETWEEN WINTER AND FAIRYLAND by Heather Fawcett
Fawcett's middle grade fantasy novel will appeal to readers who like Harry Potter, as well as those looking for books like The Secret Garden. Autumn Malog is a beastkeeper on the grounds of a castle, the Inglenook School of Magic. Autumn's twin brother, Winter, went missing and although everyone else has given up, Autumn believes he is somehow magically trapped inside the castle. Magic student, Cai, whom everyone believes to be a hero named in a prophecy, but is secretly afraid of dragons, agrees to help Autumn rescue her brother. Ages 9 and up.
DARING DARLENE QUEEN OF THE SCREEN by Anne Nesbet
This is the wild card of the list, perhaps being the book which is least like The Secret Garden in theme. However, I don't think Nesbet's book is getting the buzz it deserves. Once introduced, readers will no doubt fall in love with the eponymous heroine just as they fell in love with Mary Lennox, even though the two girls are quite different! 12-year-old Darlene is a silent film star whose daring adventures have captivated screen audiences. A publicity stunt meant to revive her popularity has her inadvertently getting mixed up with the orphaned heiress, Victoria Berryman, who is the object of a kidnap plot. Absolutely great fun. Ages 8 and up.
MORE: Books like Anne of Green Gables
ECHO MOUNTAIN by Lauren Wolk
I was about to include Wolk's Wolf Hollow on this list, but then realized I'd yet to recommend Echo Mountain, another must-read by this talented author. After losing almost everything in the Great Depression, Ellie's family heads to the forests of Maine to homestead. A terrible accident leaves her father in a coma. Ellie's mother and sister dislike the outdoors, but not Ellie. Ellie, who loves learning about all the woods have to offer, is determined to find what she needs to help her father. Ages 9 and up.
MORE: Books like Little House on the Prairie
THE SECRET OF NIGHTINGALE WOOD by Lucy Strange
Set in post-World War I England, this novel addresses a family's grief after loss. Ever since Henry's (a nickname for Henrietta) older brother was killed in a fire, her mother has been consumed with grief and unable to function. Her father has brought Henry, her baby sister and the Nanny to the country in hopes that the mother will recover. Henry is drawn to the nearby woods, where she meets a woman named Moth living alone in a caravan. With Moth's help, Henry decides to rescue her mother from the asylum. Ages 9 and up.
PINE ISLAND HOME by Polly Horvath
After their parents die in a tsunami, four girls are sent to live with a great-aunt. However, their aunt dies before the girls arrive. Because their aunt was organized and had left all the girls' school paperwork completed, and the house stocked with food, the sisters decide to try and live on their own, avoiding social services. Nearby lives the reclusive Al, a writer with demons of his own. As the girls develop their interests and individuality, connect with some well-meaning adults, and avoid others, a plan finally emerges to allow them to stay on in their new home. Ages 9 and up.
MORE: 21st century books that read like old-fashioned classics
SHOW ME A SIGN by Ann Clare LeZotte
Mary Lambert lives in a community where everyone speaks sign language and a quarter of the population is deaf. One day, a young man arrives in the village hoping to research the reason for the high rate of deafness. Mary narrates the story and her observations of the interactions between the English, Black, Irish, and Wampanoag peoples, as well as on racism, prejudice and ableism are perceptive and thought-provoking. The author's endnote gives historical background on the town of Chilmark and Martha's Vineyard are fascinating. Ages 9 and up.
MAÑANALAND by Pam Muñoz Ryan
It's summer in the fictional country of Santa Maria and Maximiliano is ready to work with his father in construction, and eager to try out for the local fútbol team. However, when Max needs his birth certificate to try out for the team, secrets surrounding his parents are slowly revealed. His grandfather's been telling stories about La Reina Gigante, a stone tower used as a hideout by the Guardians, a secret group that helped refugees from neighboring countries. While Mañanaland may not seem like an obvious choice for a list of books similar to The Secret Garden, the themes of compassion and family secrets will appeal to readers of the classic novel. Ages 9 and up.
NOWHERE BOY by Katherine Marsh
13-year-old Max, an American boy whose family has come to live for a year in Brussels, is resentful that he has to repeat a grade and go to a French-speaking school. Ahmed, a 14-year-old Syrian refugee was separated from his father on the water crossing to Greece. Ahmed was able to make his way to Belgium and hides out in Max's basement. When Max discovers him, the two become friends and hatch a plan to help Ahmed get out into the world again. A timely, sensitive book about friendship, family and taking charge of one's life.
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