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The Tangle Woods Secret
Ruth and her beloved brother Philip find solace in the expanse of the Tanglewoods' property. There they escape into bird watching, climbing, and general misadventures with their friend Terry.But life with their Aunt is harsh, and Ruth suffers from an incorrigible temper. Just when she thinks she can't take it anymore, she learns a very special secret about a very special Shepherd. When a dreadful accident hurts one they love, Ruth and Philip learn that the Tanglewoods' Secret isn't meant to be kept a secret.
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First published January 1, 1959
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About the author
Patricia St. John
95 books243 followersPatricia Mary St. John spent 27 years as a dedicated missionary to North Africa - and was also a prolific children's writer. Her books are loved and treasured around the world; some have been turned into stirring films. Gripping adventures which cover real life issues are her hallmark.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
February 12, 2018
I enjoy every one of Patricia St. John's books that I've read. She has a way of weaving a wonderful story together with enough description that you can picture it all, and with real life characters who don't feel fake. Ruth and Philip both struggle in different ways living with their aunt and uncle while their parents are away. But Ruth's temper keeps leading her into more trouble until she really learns about the Good Shepherd. Then things begin to change. I found myself blinking back tears as I read which doesn't happen very often.
July 19, 2023
This is a reread from my childhood. It’s a wonderful book that shouldn’t be missed!
I’d particularly recommend it for family read aloud so that you can easily follow up reading time with discussions on salvation, heaven and loss.
Ruth is nine years old and her brother Philip is eleven. They live with their aunt and uncle in England out in the country, and love exploring the nature all around them. One day they find a boy in the wigwam they’ve made and the three-some have many adventures in the woods.
But underlying all of this summer fun, Ruth is discovering that it’s hard to be good, and often she stops trying, because what’s the use; she’ll just be bad again. When her temper flares up terribly against her aunt and she runs away, she finds herself at a church talking to the Pastor and learning about the Good Shepherd who looks for bad, wandering sheep in order to bring them home and help them be good.
Along with the characters, you’ll learn about salvation, how God can help you be good, what to do if you mess up, how to pray, what heaven is and how to cope with loss. And although this little book is crammed with this wonderful knowledge, it’s wrapped in a beautiful and well-told story!
Highly recommend!
Ages: 8+
Content considerations: all bad behavior is correctly resolved. There is a poignant death in the book.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
I’d particularly recommend it for family read aloud so that you can easily follow up reading time with discussions on salvation, heaven and loss.
Ruth is nine years old and her brother Philip is eleven. They live with their aunt and uncle in England out in the country, and love exploring the nature all around them. One day they find a boy in the wigwam they’ve made and the three-some have many adventures in the woods.
But underlying all of this summer fun, Ruth is discovering that it’s hard to be good, and often she stops trying, because what’s the use; she’ll just be bad again. When her temper flares up terribly against her aunt and she runs away, she finds herself at a church talking to the Pastor and learning about the Good Shepherd who looks for bad, wandering sheep in order to bring them home and help them be good.
Along with the characters, you’ll learn about salvation, how God can help you be good, what to do if you mess up, how to pray, what heaven is and how to cope with loss. And although this little book is crammed with this wonderful knowledge, it’s wrapped in a beautiful and well-told story!
Highly recommend!
Ages: 8+
Content considerations: all bad behavior is correctly resolved. There is a poignant death in the book.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
February 16, 2011
Ah I remember hating this book as a child. I couldn't relate to Ruth and found her incredibly annoying and whiny. On top of that I felt the religious message was clumsy and patronising - I preferred the subtler approach of C S Lewis.
February 2, 2010
This charming story lets you walk alongside young Ruth and her brother Philip, as the Good Shepherd is discovered in their hearts. Through the help of some dear friends & unexpected events, the pair learns about God, the One who takes care of His little lambs in the pasture.
Ruth & Philip are good siblings and companions for each other, especially when they share their treasured romps in the woods. Together, they are intrigued & fascinated by every little creature, whether it's in the grass, the trees, or hiding someplace else.
It seems to me, as if these children have two main goals. One goal is to attempt to always evade Aunt Margaret's never-ending slew of chores. The other goal is to earn money... so that they can buy their dream camera, and finish their prized, homemade bird book.
The most important thing in this story though, is that the best secret of all is found out--and that's the Tanglewoods' Secret.
This book had very good morals for children of any age to learn. Older readers might decide to read this book aloud, so that even the young ones can enjoy it too. I loved this story very much. There's plenty of amusement to keep you entertained by all the colorful characters.
Ruth & Philip are good siblings and companions for each other, especially when they share their treasured romps in the woods. Together, they are intrigued & fascinated by every little creature, whether it's in the grass, the trees, or hiding someplace else.
It seems to me, as if these children have two main goals. One goal is to attempt to always evade Aunt Margaret's never-ending slew of chores. The other goal is to earn money... so that they can buy their dream camera, and finish their prized, homemade bird book.
The most important thing in this story though, is that the best secret of all is found out--and that's the Tanglewoods' Secret.
This book had very good morals for children of any age to learn. Older readers might decide to read this book aloud, so that even the young ones can enjoy it too. I loved this story very much. There's plenty of amusement to keep you entertained by all the colorful characters.
January 7, 2014
I originally read this when I was 7 and liked the idea of being friends with kindly gentleman shepherds and building a wigwam in the woods. Rereading it at night this week was weirdly comforting, even if the "SECRET" seems to be that Jesus wants you to be so patronizing to poor people that they die.
Three stars for sentimental reasons. I still want that wigwam, and running away from home to fall asleep sobbing in an empty chapel like a five year old quasi-orphan girl is something I'm still capable of relating to/doing.
Three stars for sentimental reasons. I still want that wigwam, and running away from home to fall asleep sobbing in an empty chapel like a five year old quasi-orphan girl is something I'm still capable of relating to/doing.
July 23, 2013
My new Patricia St. John favorite. The best story of salvation you could read to your children, or to anyone.
August 21, 2022
ENGLISH: An expanded and extended version of the parable of the lost sheep and the Good Shepherd, in the form of a story about two children who learn gradually the Christian message and incorporate it into their lives.
I had read a single book by Patricia St.John, The Secret of Pheasant Cottage, fifth in this series.
ESPAÑOL: Versión ampliada y extendida de la parábola de la oveja perdida y del Buen Pastor, en forma de relato sobre dos niños que van aprendiendo poco a poco el mensaje cristiano e incorporándolo a sus vidas.
Antes había leído un solo libro de Patricia St.John, The Secret of Pheasant Cottage, el quinto de esta serie.
I had read a single book by Patricia St.John, The Secret of Pheasant Cottage, fifth in this series.
ESPAÑOL: Versión ampliada y extendida de la parábola de la oveja perdida y del Buen Pastor, en forma de relato sobre dos niños que van aprendiendo poco a poco el mensaje cristiano e incorporándolo a sus vidas.
Antes había leído un solo libro de Patricia St.John, The Secret of Pheasant Cottage, el quinto de esta serie.
October 27, 2012
This was one the best - if not THE best - books I have read with my children. It was such a fun, believable, and heartwarming story about the parable of the lost sheep, with which we all can identify in terms of our walk with God. Ruth, a consistently selfish and naughty little girl realizes that while she tries so hard to be a good girl, it is impossible without her Good Shepherd to lovingly guide her to do so. We cannot be good, or do good, in our strength and selfish bents but we can in HIS strengh! Amazing book, leaving much to discuss with your children at the end of each chapter.
March 7, 2022
Patricia St John’s books go into a lot of detail about plants, which shows her love of nature and attention to detail, but that can cause one’s eyes to glaze over if one isn’t familiar with the plants which she describes. This book was less defined when it came to people accepting Christ as Savior. The two main characters had very clear conversions but the others were much more fuzzy. However, the character development was fantastic. I wish I could give it 3.5 stars.
February 2, 2016
An incredibly heart warming modern day parable of the lost sheep. I read this aloud to my 9 year old daughter and we agreed it was one of our favorites. The author is talented at weaving biblical truths into a story that young children like and understand.
April 2, 2021
This book was too short! All the sweet Bible truths stood out like gems, and I really enjoyed reading them.
September 23, 2021
This book is a true treasure. I am so glad to have had the chance to introduce my kids to this beautiful portrayal of our Good Shepherd. I was in tears more than once and had to stop reading.
September 15, 2021
My boys really enjoyed this one. I will read it aloud again when my littlest ones are older.
September 2021–We just finished a reread of this one. When the children are reunited with their parents and St. John describes the interaction between Ruth and her mother, I can never read through it without crying. My sons don’t understand this, so I have to explain each time that you never stop missing your mother after the Good Shepherd takes her home.
September 2021–We just finished a reread of this one. When the children are reunited with their parents and St. John describes the interaction between Ruth and her mother, I can never read through it without crying. My sons don’t understand this, so I have to explain each time that you never stop missing your mother after the Good Shepherd takes her home.
March 2, 2017
I loved this book, even though at one point its pretty sad and a bit to preachy it was amazing, I could really relate to Ruth, the main character.
July 16, 2014
I dearly loved it as a child, but I'm afraid to re-read it lest the religious message completely overwhelm my nostalgia.
August 27, 2025
We read this as a read aloud for school with MFW Creation to the Greeks. Read alouds are always the favorite part of each day.
•Ezra, my nearly 10 year old, said, “This was the best book we have read in all of time. I am a lot like Phillip because I love birds and I love drawing them and I am the oldest.”
•Piper, my 8.5 year old, said, “That was a really good story. I love how it ended on Christmas. I liked that it talks a lot about Jesus carrying us like sheep.”
•Zoe, my 6-almost-7-year-old 1st grader, said her favorite part was watching a baby owl hatch and exploring the woods.
•Haddon and Eliza, my 5 year old twins, listened and it was so sweet to watch the wheels in their brain understand the connection between Jesus and the Good Shepherd. Haddon’s favorite part of the book was a part about what the Good Shepherd did in chapter 18.
I, as the mom, was left in tears more than a few times. The way Patricia St. John is able to capture the essence of the gospel in the outworkings of children’s everyday lives is quite remarkable: daily chores and responsibilities, bitterness, curiosity, anger, disappointment, friendship, tragedy, redemption, love for all people. This is not just a book for children, it’s a book for anyone wanting a reminder that there isn’t a crag too deep or a precipice too tall that would keep the Good Shepherd from coming too his sheep.
My favorite quote comes from chapter 18, page 162. In the context of the larger story, in highlights St. John’s ability to weave fiction with the beautiful truths of Scripture:
•Ezra, my nearly 10 year old, said, “This was the best book we have read in all of time. I am a lot like Phillip because I love birds and I love drawing them and I am the oldest.”
•Piper, my 8.5 year old, said, “That was a really good story. I love how it ended on Christmas. I liked that it talks a lot about Jesus carrying us like sheep.”
•Zoe, my 6-almost-7-year-old 1st grader, said her favorite part was watching a baby owl hatch and exploring the woods.
•Haddon and Eliza, my 5 year old twins, listened and it was so sweet to watch the wheels in their brain understand the connection between Jesus and the Good Shepherd. Haddon’s favorite part of the book was a part about what the Good Shepherd did in chapter 18.
I, as the mom, was left in tears more than a few times. The way Patricia St. John is able to capture the essence of the gospel in the outworkings of children’s everyday lives is quite remarkable: daily chores and responsibilities, bitterness, curiosity, anger, disappointment, friendship, tragedy, redemption, love for all people. This is not just a book for children, it’s a book for anyone wanting a reminder that there isn’t a crag too deep or a precipice too tall that would keep the Good Shepherd from coming too his sheep.
My favorite quote comes from chapter 18, page 162. In the context of the larger story, in highlights St. John’s ability to weave fiction with the beautiful truths of Scripture:
”There were many footsteps up and down the house that night while we lay asleep…But no one heard the feet of the Good Shepherd…”(I cannot share the full quote at risk of spoiling such a heartfelt moment).
September 24, 2021
„Тайната на Дивата гора” (изд. „Нов човек”) от Патриция Сейнт Джон е детско-юношески роман, съдържащ доста мелодрама и християнски ценности. Докато родителите им са в Индия, Рут и брат ѝ Филип са принудени да живеят с взискателната си леля. Те намират утеха в простора на Дивата гора, където изкарват времето си в наблюдаване на птици, катерене и премеждия с приятеля си Тери. Домашните задължения карат инатливата Рут постоянно да се противи на леля си и точно когато си мисли, че не може да понесе повече, тя научава тайната за един много специален овчар. Когато ужасна злополука наранява човек, когото обичат, Рут и Филип разбират, че тайната на Дивата гора не е предназначена да се пази в тайна. Прочетете ревюто на „Книжни Криле”: https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
January 3, 2025
I loved this story the author did an amazing Patricia St. John did amazing work on this book I love that after Ruth excepts Jesus you see and others see that she has changed her temper is not as bad as it was and she is happier I suggest highly recommend this book but fair warning to you I almost cried because while filled with happiness is has its sorrow as well and thought Ruth struggled with the sorrow I love that the man she meets in the woods helps her and if I remember the book correctly I read it a little while back he also helps her to understand that the good LORD is always in control.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2019
Read as an older child and remember enjoying it.
October 13, 2025
Another St John book that brought me to tears! This story beautifully displays the heart of the Good Shepherd to rescue and care for his sheep. I love how Patricia showed the wondrous truth of how a little revelation can be shared to bring light and goodness to many.
February 14, 2019
One of the best children's books that I have ever read to my children! (And I have read a lot over 30 years of parenting! ) We both loved it!
December 13, 2023
Between books, so I decided to reread this one, which I received for my 9th birthday, many years ago (and remembered loving)! I thought it might bring back a memory or two, but I guess it had been too long. Wasn't really keeping my attention.....halfway through, may get back to it later!
February 28, 2025
Read aloud with my kids (ages 8, 6 and 6). I loved the conversations it opened up with us all and the imagery of the Shepherd. I cried multiple times!
April 26, 2023
Very boring first half, don't think that much time was needed to write about picking flowers, however, beautiful last half - we should all think and act like children.
May 16, 2022
An abundance of English literature features two children maturing through difficult times in a bucolic English village. The Narnia series opens with such a scenario. Swallows & Amazons comes to mind, though there are more children. The Tanglewoods’ Secret fits nicely in this genre. Full of afternoon tea, household chores, countryside rambles, natural adventures and quaint English villagers, Ruth and Philip are firmly in a community of people seeking to get along well. These children and the people around them are the best of England and there is a peace the pervades the narrative.
The trial that shapes this period is that young Ruth and tall Philip’s parents are stranded overseas and unable to return to their growing children. Though they have communication with their parents via post, the children are burdened with dependence on their Aunt and Uncle, who are taking good care of them even though their close living has been forced by unexpected and painful circumstances. Even though the entire story is narrated by Ruth, I thought St. John did an excellent job illuminating the sources of conflict in the household.
Most of the story takes place outside. In the orchard, by the wall of the garden, down the lane, through the forest, among the pond, up the trees, in idyllic childhood rambles. The people the children encounter throughout the village, the Shepherd and the Reverend, in particularly are drawn with wholesome brevity. In this read, I found Ruth’s meditation on the Good Shepherd to be particularly poignant.
St. John has a way of articulating the blossoming of faith, particularly in the young, that is captivating. Growth does not arise from preachy sermonettes or pushy illustrations searching for deep meaning. It is not forced, but rather cultivated as St. John wisely restrains the adults around these precocious ones into a supporting role. One really senses the gentle and quiet voice of the Holy Spirit whispering to the children through the pages. James 3:17 comes to mind. “Wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17). I also noticed this in the previous book I read in this set, Star of Light.
Star of Light, Patricia St. John, 1953
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Is it possible Patricia St. John’s writing is even better here? It may be that the well-trod paths of the English village opened me to a more tender reading than the foreign sands of North Africa pictured in Star of Light. What I’m trying to say is that the writing is perhaps of the same brilliance, but Tanglewoods’ Secret simply brought my spirit into a setting that is precious to my soul. This is my favorite St. John title I’ve read so far.
I am reading Moody Publisher’s ebook series of 6 books. The sales blurb states these stories have been updated for the contemporary reader – an edit which some St. John fans dislike.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The ebook set continues with:
The Secret of Pheasant Cottage, St. John, 1978
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Moody Publishers has a brief biography of Patricia St. John, with links to the six books they are currently publishing.
https://www.moodypublishers.com/autho...
You can purchase a set of nine Patricia St. John books through 10ofThose.com. I’m wondering if these are the original text?
https://us.10ofthose.com/patricia-st-...
The trial that shapes this period is that young Ruth and tall Philip’s parents are stranded overseas and unable to return to their growing children. Though they have communication with their parents via post, the children are burdened with dependence on their Aunt and Uncle, who are taking good care of them even though their close living has been forced by unexpected and painful circumstances. Even though the entire story is narrated by Ruth, I thought St. John did an excellent job illuminating the sources of conflict in the household.
Most of the story takes place outside. In the orchard, by the wall of the garden, down the lane, through the forest, among the pond, up the trees, in idyllic childhood rambles. The people the children encounter throughout the village, the Shepherd and the Reverend, in particularly are drawn with wholesome brevity. In this read, I found Ruth’s meditation on the Good Shepherd to be particularly poignant.
St. John has a way of articulating the blossoming of faith, particularly in the young, that is captivating. Growth does not arise from preachy sermonettes or pushy illustrations searching for deep meaning. It is not forced, but rather cultivated as St. John wisely restrains the adults around these precocious ones into a supporting role. One really senses the gentle and quiet voice of the Holy Spirit whispering to the children through the pages. James 3:17 comes to mind. “Wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17). I also noticed this in the previous book I read in this set, Star of Light.
Star of Light, Patricia St. John, 1953
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Is it possible Patricia St. John’s writing is even better here? It may be that the well-trod paths of the English village opened me to a more tender reading than the foreign sands of North Africa pictured in Star of Light. What I’m trying to say is that the writing is perhaps of the same brilliance, but Tanglewoods’ Secret simply brought my spirit into a setting that is precious to my soul. This is my favorite St. John title I’ve read so far.
I am reading Moody Publisher’s ebook series of 6 books. The sales blurb states these stories have been updated for the contemporary reader – an edit which some St. John fans dislike.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The ebook set continues with:
The Secret of Pheasant Cottage, St. John, 1978
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Moody Publishers has a brief biography of Patricia St. John, with links to the six books they are currently publishing.
https://www.moodypublishers.com/autho...
You can purchase a set of nine Patricia St. John books through 10ofThose.com. I’m wondering if these are the original text?
https://us.10ofthose.com/patricia-st-...
August 28, 2025
Sad, heart-warming, happy
September 9, 2012
I have been a fan of Patricia St. John's works for a while since having read "Treasures of the Snow", my favorite book. However, this book showed almost no justice to her writing style. It still had a good Christian message involving children, but it fell flat along the lines of entertainment. This book wasn't near as exciting or suspenseful as "Treasures of the Snow" or even "Star of Light". This was pretty dull with a plain lesson of spreading Christ and his saving blood. Good message, it was, but told in a plain way. I did like the description though. The author uses description very well to paint a mental portrait of how the forest looks, with very diverse and colorful flowers and birds. This book was made for description over entertaining lesson.
November 5, 2013
Audiobook from my sister.
Hm. We really liked the story of this. The events in the plot moved the story along, the characters were real - foibles and all.
The theology was more than a little shaky - pictures of Jesus; we ask for him to "find us" or he won't; the body is just a shell like the husk of a chestnut (eep!). We were able to discuss all of these ideas with the children and show the errors.
The positives here were seeing how lives can change when the focus becomes not oneself but Christ. We also enjoyed seeing how the different ways Christ described himself could draw different people to himself (Ruth loved the idea of the Good Shepherd while her brother could be drawn by the idea of the fall of the sparrow).
Hm. We really liked the story of this. The events in the plot moved the story along, the characters were real - foibles and all.
The theology was more than a little shaky - pictures of Jesus; we ask for him to "find us" or he won't; the body is just a shell like the husk of a chestnut (eep!). We were able to discuss all of these ideas with the children and show the errors.
The positives here were seeing how lives can change when the focus becomes not oneself but Christ. We also enjoyed seeing how the different ways Christ described himself could draw different people to himself (Ruth loved the idea of the Good Shepherd while her brother could be drawn by the idea of the fall of the sparrow).
October 14, 2011
This was a very good book about a little girl and her brother. They are staying with their aunt. The boy is really good and hardly gets in trouble. The girl is in trouble alot and does not want to do chores or obey. The girl runs away and ends up in a church. The pastor talks with her and they discuss Jesus and how she can be good. She sees a picture of a shepered and his sheep and she loves it. Her life changes dramatically after this. THis is a great book for kids probably 10 and up. There is a tragic accident and one boy dies. So there is content not appropriate for younger kids. The books talks about becoming a Christian and listening to God.
February 25, 2014
Another book by this author which is a priceless learning tool for teaching children about serious life lessons. That there is loss and pain and unfairness in the world and that there are prices to pay for mistakes. But it also highlights the truth of forgiveness, opening your heart and being truthful. This was one of the first books that broke my heart but also caused my love of reading to grow deep and constant roots.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews