Hiding is Roo Fanshaw's special skill. Living in a frighteningly unstable family, she often needs to disappear at a moment's notice. When her parents are murdered, it's her special hiding place under the trailer that saves her life.
As it turns out, Roo, much to her surprise, has a wealthy if eccentric uncle, who has agreed to take her into his home on Cough Rock Island. Once a tuberculosis sanitarium for children of the rich, the strange house is teeming with ghost stories and secrets. Roo doesn't believe in ghosts or fairy stories, but what are those eerie noises she keeps hearing? And who is that strange wild boy who lives on the river? People are lying to her, and Roo becomes determined to find the truth.
Despite the best efforts of her uncle's assistants, Roo discovers the house's hidden room--a garden with a tragic secret.
Inspired by The Secret Garden, this tale full of unusual characters and mysterious secrets is a story that only Ellen Potter could write.
- Hardcover: 192 pages
- Publisher: Feiwel & Friends; 1 edition (February 28, 2012)
- ISBN: 9780312644383
My Opinion:
A really cute story for kids. I also enjoyed it, as it took you on a ride through a mysterious garden. And yes, the book does say it is inspired by The Secret Garden, I felt it to be quite different too.
I wish the story ended better for Jack, and I am still curious what else happened. Maybe another book will be out??
3/5
Recommend? Yes to ages 9+
Disclaimer: I won my copy. I was not compensated for this post or my opinion.
I really enjoyed this one - I thought it was a bit too short, but that was my only criticism of it. It's made me eager to reread one of my old favorites (The Secret Garden), and that's always a good thing.
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