The Night Gardener

Two Irish orphans, Molly and Kip, arrive at the Windsor estate in Victorian England seeking work as servants. The Windsor family inhabits a deteriorating manor house beside a massive old tree, and strange occurrences plague the household at night. Molly serves as a maid while her younger brother Kip works as a groundskeeper, but both children soon discover unsettling secrets about the estate. The mystery centers on a shadowy figure known as the Night Gardener and the ancient tree that looms over the property. As Molly and Kip investigate the supernatural events, they must confront difficult choices about truth, belonging, and the power of stories. This Gothic tale explores themes of family bonds, the nature of fear, and the price of getting what you wish for most.

Readers describe the book as spooky and atmospheric, with many comparing it to Neil Gaiman's style. Parents note it hits the right balance of scary for middle-grade readers without being too frightening. Liked: - Strong character development, especially the sibling relationship - Victorian gothic atmosphere and creepy house setting - Moral themes about truth and lies - Detailed world-building and folklore elements Disliked: - Slow pacing in first third of book - Some found it too dark for younger readers - A few readers wanted more backstory about the supernatural elements Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (12,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (450+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 "Perfect blend of scary and meaningful" - Goodreads reviewer "The atmosphere alone is worth reading for" - Amazon reviewer "Too intense for my 9-year-old but great for 12+" - Parent reviewer on Common Sense Media

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🌳 Author Jonathan Auxier wrote The Night Gardener while living in a haunted mansion in London, which helped inspire the book's spooky atmosphere. 🌿 The character of Hester Kettle was inspired by traditional Celtic storytellers known as "seanchaí," who traveled from town to town sharing tales and news. 🏰 Windsor Manor's cursed tree draws from ancient folklore about yew trees, which were often planted in churchyards and believed to have supernatural properties. 📚 The book won the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award and was named a Junior Library Guild Selection in 2014. 🎭 Before becoming an author, Auxier worked as a drama teacher and incorporated elements of theatrical storytelling into the novel's dramatic scenes and dialogue.