MANDY

MANDY by Julie Andrews Edwards

Often when we think of Julie Andrews we think of her roles in movies such as The Sound of Music and Princess Diaries. However, she has authored a few books as well. This particular one is a bit of a cross between The Secret Garden and Gone Away Lake.

Mandy is a 10-year-old orphan girl that desperately wants a place of her own. One day she breaks the rules and climbs over the orchard wall and begins to explore the wooded area next door. Imagine her surprise when she stumbles upon an abandoned cabin. Even though it doesn't belong to her and she's breaking the rules, she begins to tidy the place up, plant a little garden, and make it her own. Secrets like this are impossible to keep secret forever though, and thankfully for Mandy, her secret is revealed in the nick of time.

HEADS UP- Mandy does lie to keep the cottage a secret. She takes things from the orphanage to furnish her little cottage with. One curse word is used - d*****. One G** is used as well.