Bibliographical information:

Pearce, Philippa. Tom’s Midnight Garden. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1958. 

Other editions published from 1984-2005, including an Oxford Children’s Modern Classics edition in 1998.

Summary:

Tom’s brother Peter has the measles, and Tom has been sent to stay with his aunt and uncle. He’s very disappointed to learn that there’s no garden, but then after hearing a strange grandfather clock strike thirteen, he discovers a beautiful garden that seems to exist in a different time.

Comments:

Tom’s adventures are delightful. As he explores the garden, he learns about both time and friendship. This novel won the 1958 Carnegie medal. When my daughter read it, she raced to find out what would happen but was sad when she had finished, because she felt that no other book could ever be as good.

Ages:

8-13

Cautions:

--Lisa Gordis

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