Night Gardener, The

Molly and her little brother Kip escape mid 1800’s Ireland when Molly finds work at the spooky Windsor estate in England. The two become embroiled in the mystery of the huge tree growing through the walls of the house and controlling the family by granting their wishes but at a huge cost. Molly and Kip must face their fears of trauma and abandonment to burn down the tree and save the Windsor family and themselves. This coming-of-age horror story addresses loss, abandonment, identity, loneliness, power, greed, and glory. Suitable for literature circles or independent reading, and for units on the historical period and migrant/refugee/asylum-seeker issues. Social considerations noted.