When Mary Lennox came from India to live with her uncle in gloomy old Misselthwaite Manor on the Yorkshire moors, the last thing she expected to find there was magic. Not the kind of magic made up of fairies and wizard and spells, but the kind that can turn a spoiled, sour, hard-hearted little girl into a happy, lively, caring child. It is a magic made up of equal parts kindness, curiosity, and fresh air. The ancient manor house is full of secrets, including mysterious crying in the night and a garden locked and forgotten for ten years. The magic awakening inside Mary will not allow her to leave these wonderful mysteries alone, and with the help of Dickon, a moorland boy with a talent for charming animals, she begins to unlock the secrets and spread the magic to others who need it as much as she does. This is the first time I have read this book since at least Middle School, and I had forgotten how good it was. Now, though, I have a better understanding of things like British colonialism in India, and where exactly Yorkshire is, which helps a bit. This is more properly a book to be read in springtime, since that is one of the major themes of the story, but especially for children, this is a wonderful book anytime. It encourages kindness and the importance of playing outdoors, two things today's children sometimes seem to have forgotten about.