Search for the Hidden Garden: A Discovery with Saint Therese

The second book in Pauline Books and Media series, Friends with the Saints. This one stars a young St. Therese of Lisieux helping her friends discover a hidden garden.It all starts when 10 year old Charlotte discovers a mysterious map of a hidden garden for children located on her least favorite classmate EVER's property. She MUST find the garden without letting Louise in on any of the fun!But there is trouble along the way and the children learn to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit to help them do small things for God. They accomplish all of this by actually searching for - and finding - the garden, not through the words of any parent or teaching scolding them. Perfect, then, to read.The book is aimed at 7-10 year olds, and I agree whole heartedly with the assessment.I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would provide a (favorable) review. Complimentary copies of books don't necessarily make good reading books, however. The opinions in this review are my own.

What child doesn't love stories of mystery and adventure? In "Search for the Hidden Garden" Sherry Weaver Smith has given us a wonderful addition to her Friends with Saints series.When 10 year old Charlotte discovers a mysterious treasure map in her school's library in 1880's Normandy, France, her vivid imagination and adventurous spirit set her on a search to find the map's secret children's garden. She and her friends must uncover overgrown paths to four special fruit trees and ultimately find the garden's hidden treasure. But along the way the children meet Therese Martin, age 15 and soon to enter the Carmelite convent at Lisieux. She helps them understand the importance of prayer and faith and doing little things to help each other.In overcoming many obstacles , including adults who want to destroy the garden, the children are guided by the Fruits of the Holy Spirit and find the garden holds treasures far different from what they expected. Weaver Smith's unique achievement here is that the religious theme and lessons are subtly woven into the story and do not overpower it. The future St. Therese is cast as a minor character but her influence on the children is central to the story and their growing awareness the need to love God and care for each other.Young readers will be intrigued as the garden's mysteries are gradually revealed and will want to keep on reading to see what happens next to Charlotte and her friends.Well plotted. Well written. Well done. Another winning performance by Waver Smith.Pauline Books and Media provided me with a free copy of " Search for the Hidden Garden" in exchange for an honest review.

SEARCH FOR THE HIDDEN GARDEN is an excellent story for teaching children that it requires courage or boldness, as described in the book, to do what is right. However, in doing so, the lessons in the book also remind children that boldness is not to be confused with disrespect. In addition, my favorite lesson of the story is that leading a good life is as simple as appreciating and becoming a better person by being more "loving, gentle, joyful, and patient" with family, friends, and strangers on a daily basis. The adventurous children in the story learn these valuable life lessons through the gentle guidance of St. Therese, before she enters into the Carmelite monastery.

This book was well-researched and, from an English teacher's standpoint, well-written.There are so many lessons: The kindness Charlotte finally learns toward Louise along with the kindness and understanding she shows Olivier and his ill mother; the courage both Charlotte and Louise must have when dealing with Louise's father; and the patience they find they must have with others.As a non-catholic, I have enjoyed learning about the saints in this series by Sherry Weaver Smith. I am looking forward to her next book."Pauline Books & Media provided me with a free copy of Search for the Hidden Garden in exchange for an honest review."

As friends search to uncover a secret, will they find hidden gifts or does danger await them behind each stone? Can the bounty of Nature restore health to a loved one, or will they fail in their mission? This story parallels human interaction, demonstrating the complex dance of friendship. . The beauty of nature and friendship narrated through a child's eyes affirm Weaver's calling to recognize modern miracles within the mundane, inspiring us all to notice the gifts around us.Ann Arthur

I really enjoyed Search for the Hidden Garden. I read it quickly, it was well-written and it had the right amount of suspense. The characters were very realistic. I wish Vincent had a larger part in the story. I really liked the Epilogue and the Historical Notes. There were two or three places where I had to re-read to understand better what was happening. The best part was the last one where everyone was happy. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend. N., 8-year old