| Tom is a twelve year old boy who is angry about being sent to spend the summer with his childless aunt and uncle after his brother falls ill with a contagious fever. Tom thinks his summer will be ruined. He'll have to spend time in a poky old flat with his boring aunt and uncle and won't be able to do any of the outdoor activities that he and his brother had planned for their vacation. At first, the flat is everything Tom feared. He has no one to play with and nothing to do. Then one night Tom hears the landlady's antique grandfather clock strike thirteen times. When Tom goes downstairs to investigate, he finds that the house has been transformed to a large manor, instead of a series of flats, and the formerly paved backyard is now a sprawling country garden, complete with grass, trees and even a playmate – a young girl named Hatty.
Tom returns to the garden each night and delights in the fun he and Hatty have, but something about the situation bothers him. Even though it's night in his world, in the garden it is almost always day. And sometimes Tom can't find Hatty anywhere. Plus, while he stays the same age, Hatty does not. Tom's not sure if he's a ghost… or if Hatty is. As the mystery of the garden unravels, Tom's friendship with Hatty teaches him that girls can be as fun as boys, and that friendship is important at any age. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - very upbeat FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy story on current Earth Coming of age Yes Youngster becomes - an adult (general) Is this an adult or child's book? - Kid's book (ages 7-14) Descript. of chases or violence - 0 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 10 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 70 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20 % Main Character Identity: - Male Age: - a kid Main Adversary Identity: - none Setting Earth setting: - 20th century - 19th century Takes place on Earth? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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