Official Review: Bess's Magical Garden by M. E. Hembroff

[bookowlie]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Bess's Magical Garden" by M. E. Hembroff.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Bess’ Magical Garden by M.E. Hembroff is a children’s chapter book about a girl acclimating to a recent move after recovering from a serious illness. Add in a light mystery and you have the ingredients for an interesting story geared toward ages 8 through 11.

Bess has had to grapple with several changes in her life. Her father died in a car accident six months earlier. She has been recently released from the hospital after receiving treatment for polio. While Bess is recovering, her mother moves them out of the city to a home with a large garden. The young girl misses her best friend Megan, but she keeps in touch by writing letters to her. As Bess adjusts to her new home, she hears voices, sees a ghost in the garden, and has recurring dreams about a girl in a white dress. She becomes friends with Josie, her next-door neighbor, and Mrs. Toole, a widow who moves in to take care of Bess while her mother is at work. While the girls help to restore the garden, they find various objects that may uncover the mystery of the ghost and the girl in Bess’ dreams.

I enjoyed this sweet, old-fashioned story set in the mid-twentieth century. The writing has an easy rhythm which captures the spirit of country life in a bygone era. The author paints a vivid picture of children amusing themselves without the technology that is a given in today’s world. There are no cell phones, television, or video games. Surprise…the kids are content to spend the day planting flowers in the garden, exploring, and having picnic lunches.

Bess’ correspondence with Megan is an effective plot device as she summarizes what’s been happening in her life. The book also includes several black and white illustrations. The drawings are a good fit with the quaint feel of the story.

The main character is sketched well with an interesting backstory. She misses her father and is sad about no longer living near her best friend. Her mood improves as she spends time outside with her new friend Josie and a cat named Pumpkin. The therapeutic benefits of fresh air and working in the garden are subtly depicted as Bess begins to walk without a crutch. I was confused about the character’s age, although it becomes apparent much later in the story. Bess’ use of language is mature, yet there are instances where she seems very young. As a result, it was difficult for me to figure out her age. The supporting characters are thinly drawn, for the most part. Bess’ mother almost seems like an afterthought. I would have liked the mother-daughter relationship to be fleshed out more, especially since the girl was dealing with so many changes.

The mystery is not very cohesive and lacks tension. As Bess and Josie discover hidden items in the garden, they investigate further. The girls discuss the clues in a matter-of-fact way and there is no sense of excitement or urgency; instead, the subject is brought up intermittently. Also, the characters’ reactions often don’t seem realistic. There were always rumors around town that the house was haunted. Bess and Josie have separately seen the ghost, and Bess has heard voices and seen a girl in her dreams. However, no one seems too upset about these occurrences.

I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. It is a touching story with a friendship theme that is timeless. However, I am not sure whether the book would have widespread appeal due to the time period. I would recommend it to children who enjoy historical fiction or just want a change of pace.

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Bess's Magical Garden
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[gali]

Sounds like a cute story despite its flaws. I like stories that capture the spirit of country life.
Thank you for a great review!

[bookowlie]

Thanks Gali! The book was a nice change of pace and the main character was very endearing.

[Amheiser]

This story reminds me of "The Secret Garden" with different characters. It seems like an interesting read with some mystery and a ghost to keep the reader in suspense. I like the idea of telling the story by having Leah explain to her friend Megan what is happening in her letters to her. It seems like such a good idea for a story that could be a lot more exciting if the characters' reactions were different, however, it seems like it would hold a person's interest and is something that I would be interested in reading.

[bookowlie]

This story reminds me of "The Secret Garden" with different characters. It seems like an interesting read with some mystery and a ghost to keep the reader in suspense. I like the idea of telling the story by having Leah explain to her friend Megan what is happening in her letters to her. It seems like such a good idea for a story that could be a lot more exciting if the characters' reactions were different, however, it seems like it would hold a person's interest and is something that I would be interested in reading.

I also thought of The Secret Garden while reading this story. The letters to Megan are just a small part of the book. There is a letter to Megan at the end of several of the chapters. I liked the letters because they summarized what was going on in Bess' life. The letters also subtly showed how she was becoming happier as she became used to her new surroundings.

[Heidi M Simone]

Great review, bookowlie! It sounds like a great book, despite its flaws. I can definitely see children liking this story.

[bookowlie]

Thanks Hsimone! It really is a sweet story. Maybe kids will be inspired to write traditional snail-mail letters after reading it.

[bluemel4]

Great review bookowlie! I agree with the other poster that it is reminiscent of The Secret Garden. The images sound lovely and the letters are a creative way to show a passage of time.

[bookowlie]

Thanks Bluemel! I felt like I was transported back in time while reading.

[Rachaelamb1]

Love old-fashioned stories...there is something so charming about them. Thanks for the great review!

[bookowlie]

Thanks Rachaelamb1! You hit the nail on the head - it's a very charming story about country life in an earlier time.

[kimmyschemy06]

Sounds cute. It also reminds me of 'The Secret Garden' but, probably, less intense in the mystery part. Nevertheless, I think I'm going to enjoy this book. I hope I get the chance to read it. Great review.

[bookowlie]

Thanks Kimmyschemy! Yes, the mystery is not intense. Still, the main character is very appealing and I enjoyed watching her blossom as she adjusted to living in the country.