Tom's Midnight Garden

What do our readers think of Tom's Midnight Garden? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

Children enjoy the magical garden, the mystery of the clock and Tom and Hatty’s unusual friendship. They think that some of the language can be a bit older fashioned.

What does the Pageticker team say about Tom's Midnight Garden?

Tom's Midnight Garden is a beautifully atmospheric time slip adventure, full of mystery, friendship and just enough ghostly unease to keep things interesting. Philippa Pearce makes an ordinary summer feel wonderfully strange, whilst her thoughtful ideas about growing up and the passing of time linger long after the garden disappears. A great choice for readers aged around 9 and up.

Genres

What is Tom's Midnight Garden about?

When Tom is sent to stay with his aunt and uncle for the summer, he expects a dull holiday. One night, he hears the grandfather clock strike thirteen and discovers a magical garden where he meets Hatty, a girl from the past. As they explore the garden together, Tom realises that time behaves differently there, leading to a timeless adventure of friendship and discovery.

About the author

Philippa Pearce was a much-loved British author who wrote magical stories for children. Her most famous book is 'Tom’s Midnight Garden', a wonderful tale about time travel and friendship. Philippa loved the countryside and often used it as inspiration for her stories, filling them with adventure and imagination for readers to enjoy.

Discussion ideas around Tom's Midnight Garden

A Different Kind of Time: How does the garden change Tom’s understanding of time, and what do you think the story suggests about the way people remember the past?

Friendship Across Years: Why do Tom and Hatty become such good friends even though their lives are very different?

Feeling Lonely: Tom feels unhappy when he is sent away, while Hatty often feels alone too. How do their adventures help them cope?

Old and New: What differences do you notice between Tom’s modern world and Hatty’s world, and which changes seem positive or negative?

The Perfect Place: If you could visit one place from the past for a single night, where would you go and what would you hope to discover?