The Night Gardener, by Jonathan Auxier, follows two abandoned Irish siblings who travel to work as servants at a creepy, crumbling English manor house. But the house and its inhabitants are not quite what they seem. Soon, the children are confronted by a mysterious stranger—and an ancient curse that threatens their very lives.
My Thoughts
You. Must. Read. This. Book.
The end.
LOL – Ok, seriously though, this story engaged both of my boys (ages 12 and 9), so much so that they asked for extra reading time and even more than one reading time in a day.
The characters are so well developed, you can’t help but fall in love and care about them. My favourite was Hester Kettle, the storyteller, with her huge sack of treasures slung over her shoulder while playing her herdy gurdy. (I had to look up what that was!)
This book is creepy and even a bit gooey. Occasionally, leaving my youngest with a face of disgust, but still completely appropriate for older middle grade readers. It would even be attractive to YA readers and adult readers alike.
I can’t say enough about this book that swiped up award after award, and deservedly so. You will not be disappointed. I promise.
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This is an unsolicited review, I purchased this book from a local bookstore.
- Paperback: 368 pages
- Publisher: Puffin Canada (May 5 2015)
- ISBN-13: 978-0143189978
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