Ivy Noelle Weir (author), Amber Padilla (illustrator)
The Secret Garden on 81st Street: A Modern Graphic Retelling of The Secret Garden
(Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, October 19, 2021)
ALA 2021 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List
The Secret Garden with a twist: in this follow-up to Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, this full-color graphic novel moves Mary Lennox to a New York City brownstone, where she and her very first group of friends restore an abandoned rooftop garden…and her uncle’s heart.
Mary Lennox is a loner living in Silicon Valley. With her parents always working, video game and tech become her main source of entertainment and “friends.” When her parents pass away in a tragic accident, she moves to New York City to live with her uncle who she barely knows, and to her surprise, keeps a gadget free home. Looking for comfort in this strange, new reality, Mary discovers an abandoned rooftop garden and an even bigger secret…her cousin who suffers from anxiety. With the help of her new friends, Colin and Dickon, Mary works to restore the garden to its former glory while also learning to grieve, build real friendships, and grow.
Praise for The Secret Garden on 81st Street:
“Readers will appreciate this ultimately hopeful story of loss and change. Hand especially to young readers seeking fictional works that deal with grief and anxiety.” —School Library Journal
“Empathy and self-discovery fuel this updated classic.” —Kirkus Reviews
Ivy Noelle Weir is an award-winning comic book writer, librarian, and publishing professional. She writes comics for all ages, speaks on the topic of pop culture and librarianship at conferences and comic cons nationwide, and writes essays on libraries, mental health, comic books, and other topics. She lives in the greater Boston area with her fiancé and their two tiny, weird dogs.
Amber Padilla is a cartoonist and illustrator. She received her undergraduate degree at Otis College of Art and Design, and is currently enrolled in the MFA in Comics program at the esteemed art and design school, California College of the Arts. She resides in Oakland with her husband and two cats.