Francis Hodgson Burnett was the highest paid and most widely read woman writer of her time, publishing more than fifty novels and thirteen plays.

Born in England and transplanted to New York towards the end of the Civil War, Burnett made her home in both countries. "The Secret Garden" became an instant modern classic and world-wide bestseller upon its publication in 1911.

The text of this Norton Critical Edition is based on the first edition and is accompanied by explanatory annotations.