Secret Gardeners by

Secret Gardeners

When three children stumble into an overgrown city yard, they end up elbows-deep in an urban gardening project that replenishes the earth and unites a community.

With the mentorship of Amy, a neighbor who is well-versed in no-dig gardening, Luna, Bianca, and Billy set to work mixing manure, spreading mulch, and sowing seeds. After a few weeks of hard work, the yard is transformed into a sustainable community garden, and more and more people are showing up to grow herbs, mushrooms, vegetables, and fruit. Just when everyone is beginning to harvest their hard-earned local food, they learn that the property is going to be cleared for a parking lot. Will this be the end of their secret garden? Or can the children rally their community to save the day?

In Secret Gardeners, journalist and beekeeper Lina Laurent collaborates with author and illustrator Maija Hurme to tell a story of community solidarity and ecological stewardship. Woven among the dreamlike illustrations are informative notes about soil life, composting, seed starting, beekeeping, wild pollinators, and more. An exquisite blend of fiction and nonfiction that will equip readers with all the information and inspiration they need to begin their own no-dig garden…and maybe even their own community project.

Reviewed by annieb123 on

4.5 of 5 stars

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Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Secret Gardeners is a sensitively written and encouraging story for all ages (but aimed mostly at younger readers) about restorative gardening, community, and stewardship by Maija Hurme and Lina Laurent. Due out 11th June 2024 from Pajama Press, it's 56 pages and will be available in hardcover format. Originally published in Swedish in 2021, this English translation by Sofia Karlsson & Jen Pulju Porter is seamless and smoothly done.

It's accessible and well written and although it's mostly aimed at 6-9 year olds (Lexile measure 760L) it's full of interesting background and gardening ideas and community, along with a lovely story which everyone will find touching. The author and publisher have also included an abbreviated glossary and a bibliography/links for further reading as well as short info blocks about no-dig gardening, composting, beekeeping, and more. 

Four and a half stars. This would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition, gift giving, and home use. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

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Reading updates

  • 9 June, 2024: Started reading
  • 9 June, 2024: Finished reading
  • 9 June, 2024: Reviewed