Tom's Midnight Garden Graphic Novel

Starred review from March 5, 2018
In this graphic-novel adaptation of Pearce’s Carnegie Medal–winner, Edith evokes the original book’s sense of wonder and discovery in a fresh format. He is disappointed to be sent to his Uncle Alan and Aunt Gwen’s gardenless, drab home for summer holiday while his younger brother, Peter, recovers from measles. His days are filled with eating and boredom, but his sleepless nights take an unexpected turn when Tom hears the grandfather clock, belonging to the peculiar landlady, strike for a 13th time. Creeping downstairs to investigate, Tom discovers an enchanted garden, unbound by time. Returning night after night, he develops a friendship with high-spirited Hatty, the only garden inhabitant who can see him. Edith’s expertly varied, atmospheric panels shift in mood and perspective, drawing the reader ever deeper into the magic and mystery of Tom’s nightly escapades. Tom’s letters to Peter, in which he describes the adventures, and his discussions with his Uncle Alan about time travel combine effectively with the artist’s detailed depictions of Tom’s experiences, reflecting the changing garden landscape and Hattie’s age. This engrossing adaptation will allow a new generation of readers to discover Pearce’s timeless tale. Ages 8–12.

April 15, 2018
Grades 4-7 In this graphic novel version of the classic British children's novel, Tom is forced to spend the summer with his aunt and uncle, far away from anything remotely interesting. But when their old grandfather clock strikes 13 in the dead of night, Tom walks through the backdoor into a mysterious garden and embarks on an adventure. He meets Hatty, a lonely Victorian girl, and the two become fast friends. Tom continues to visit the garden nightly, only to find that Hatty is growing older every time he visits. American audiences may be unfamiliar with the original novel, but they won't need to know it, since the themes of childlike discovery and wonder are timeless. Artist Edith does a great job breaking down each scene into visual beats and accompanying the at-times long lines of exposition with as many images as possible. Her fine-lined figures, sketchy shading, stylish shapes, and muted palette of natural tones balance a modern look with the old-fashioned story. Perfect for fans of time-travel adventures or fantasies with a smidgen of historical fiction.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2018
This carefully crafted comics edition of Pearce's classic novel is true to the original story and tone--even if some of the book's most dramatic moments seem too muted (the skating-to-Ely scene; the Tom-meets-Mrs.-Bartholomew scene). The art itself is beautiful, with an effective contrast between the drabness of Tom's days and the lushness of his nightly adventures with Hatty in the garden.

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)