Tilly's Moonlight Garden

Title: Tilly's Moonlight Garden

Author: Julia Garden

Illustrator: Paul Howard

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Publication Date: October, 2012

Genre/Format: Magical-Realism/Novel

Goodreads Summary: Tilly just moved into a drafty old mansion, away from all her friends. She spends her afternoons wandering around her new backyard in order to escape the cold, dusty rooms of the house. But one night, Tilly follows a fox she has seen from her bedroom window and he leads her deep into a hidden garden that is nothing short of mesmerizing in the moonlight. This mysterious garden and the special friend she meets there help her rediscover the magic in her own life.

     This is the story of an unforgettable time in one girl's life and how a new home, a secret garden, and a little fox can change someone in the most unexpected ways.

What I Think: This book was one of the quiet books with a strong, young female protagonist. The story is written beautifully and accompanied by lovely drawings. Tilly is trying to come to terms with all of the changes in her life and she ends up finding comfort in a garden that she goes to alone, becomes the most magical at night, and is only visited by a girl who disappears as soon they say goodbye.  It is through this garden and Tilly's dreams that she begins to heal and feel more comfortable in her new home and with her new situation. 

     While reading, I had no trouble finding read-aloud sections, teachable moments, and places that could be paired with other excellent books. Tilly's story will be a great resource in the classroom and will find a home in many a children's hands. 

Read Together: Grades 3 to 6

Read Alone: Grades 4 to 7

Read With: The Humming Room by Ellen Potter, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Hound Dog True by Linda Urban, Ida B by Katherine Hannigan

Snatch of Text: "Tap tap tap . . . Dad was busy in his study, typing at the laptop. Tilly listened. The taps made a sort of pattern, a rhythm, as if Dad was playing a tune instead of writing a story." (p. 25)

Mentor Text for: Point of view, Descriptive Writing/Imagery, Editing/Revising, Narrative, British Dialect, Mood

Writing Prompts: On pg. 1 & 11, the author chose to have the story told from the fox's point of view. Rewrite these scenes from Tilly's point of view imagining what you think she was doing. 

Topics Covered: Moving, Dreams, Subconscious, Stress, Pregnancy

I *heart* It:

**Thank you to Sourcebooks for providing the book for review**