Books In Brief: The Locked Garden

Reviewer: Michele

The name of the book being recommended: The Locked Garden by Gloria Whelan

Please give us five reasons why this book is awesome:

1. Did you see the title? Mysterious gardens are always intriguing (see The Secret Garden, etc.).

2. It's historical fiction. Which is awesome. Well, if you like historical fiction, that is.

3. The characters become richer and more complex as you get further into the story.

4. It describes mental illnesses in a way that is personal, interesting, and compassionate, and gives the reader insight into how such illnesses and their treatments were viewed 100 years ago (hint: quite differently, for the most part).

5. As with all of Whelan's books, the writing is gentle and intelligent, yet always accessible, and strong female characters are the norm.

How can I find this book in the library? It can be found in the Children's Department, in fiction, under the call number j WHE, and it is recommended for ages 9+. At 166 pages, this is a relatively quick read, so if you want to find other good books by Gloria Whelan in the collection, start with Homeless Bird, which won the National Book Award, Angel On the Square, and The Impossible Journey. Ms. Whelan also writes for teens, and we have those books in the YA section.