The Making of May

by Gwyneth Rees

The country cottage where May is staying is rumored to be haunted—is it true? Eleven-year-old May's life changes dramatically when she leaves the city and moves to Thornton Hall, a big house in the countryside where her grown-up brother Ben has got the job of gardener—despite having been less than truthful about his qualifications! With her new friend, Alex, May discovers that life at the Hall isn’t quite as simple as it seems. What lies behind the locked tower room door that housekeeper Mrs. Daniels guards so closely? As May and Alex begin a journey of discovery, transforming the Hall's overgrown walled garden, Mrs Daniels starts to close in on Ben's little secret. Could May be about to lose Thornton Hall—just as she realizes its power to be the making of both her and Alex?

Genres: Childrens

240 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2007

Reviews

[Yosra Chalhani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book ages ago and forgot about it. I re-read it now older and wiser and I must say it's very good and it links with real life situations. May is a character you will grow to adore as the story goes on. Full of mystery and shows that things aren't what they seem. Packed with humour and love and sadness etc etc

[17bushellk003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good and very intresting id recommend it to people age 9-13.she leaves the city and moves to a big house in the contryside (school) where her brother is the gardener even though he lied on his application As she explores she finds the lies and secrets.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and loved how 'The Secret Garden' had inspired it to create the wonderful story it was. Alex and his Dad argue a lot but end up understanding each other at the end which is nice. Ben, who isn't a gardener, yet has the job of the garden learns on the job while being to what to do by stroppy Mrs Daniel. I highly recommend this book to all young to teen readers!

[readsandteas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the first book i have ever read in my entire life, the first book i fell in love with, and to this day (8 years later), i remember almost everything what happened in this story.

Thank you Granny for introducing me to this incredible book, my childhood wouldn't be the same without it. ♥️

[Thilini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gwyneth Rees is one my favorite authors and in this story May who loves "Secret Garden" shows us how friendship and love can make things more beautiful.

[T · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read for children.

[K Sukaina Husain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rereading an old favourite. And it's just as good as I remember

[Nawa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this YEARS ago so I don't even know what I thought of it, but I remembered that this book was given to me (probably lent but I never gave it back) by my friend who now lives in the US.

I LOVED it, I thought the concept of a secret garden and the descriptions of the oboe music that I still remember just made me think of another world. It was a pretty good book when I was younger, and I don't really want to spoil it now by giving my now more 'intelligent' review of it.

It's great for 12 year olds.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredible the little girl got moved to this new garden house for her brother to work there. And she tries to discover why is the lighthouse forbidden!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable book for young kids

[Mia 🌱 · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was boring. Even for my younger self, who was so crazy obsessed with Gwyneth Rees, I would've probably tried to sell my little brother on the net. No I'm joking. (?)