Frances Hodgson was born in 1849 in Manchester, England. She had been a very dreamy child and started writing at the age of seven. Her first novel was published in 1877 and through the years she wrote 40 sentimental adult novels that were vastly popular at the time, but it is for her children's novels that she is best remembered.

Her stories include Little Lord Fauntleroy and The Little Princess.

The Secret Garden

This is the story of Mary, sullen, neglected, unattractive and unloved, who comes to the dark dismal estate of her unknown uncle after the deaths of her parents in India. It is a wonderous tale of the magic of love and friendship, and the clash of two very spoiled children. In my opinion it is far more than just a children's story.