Tilly's family has just moved to a big, old-fashioned house, and her mother is bedridden due to a difficult pregnancy. While her father, an author, works constantly on his new book, Tilly is left to explore the house and gardens on her own. One evening, she follows a fox through a gate and finds a mysterious and beautiful wild garden. As Tilly returns to the wild garden over the following days and weeks, she meets Helen, a girl of Tilly's age. But there's something mysterious about Helen, too -- where does she live? Why does Tilly only ever see her in the garden?
The gentle tone of this story reminds me of one of my childhood favorites: Mandy by Julie Andrews Edwards, which also features a lonely little girl and a hidden garden. Tilly's story also includes the slightest touch of the supernatural in the character of Helen. The writing is lyrical and just a bit British. I'd recommend this to readers of all ages who enjoy well-written juvenile fiction.
(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)
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