This book is a long time, childhood favorite, and honestly I can say it still is. Mary Lennox is such a complicated, contrary little thing, but she grows so completely during the course of the book.

Of course, one thing you can say is the language in reference to the natives of India. It is a product of its time, but also it is an excellent opportunity to have those serious discussions about history and about how you're supposed to treat other people. In addition, I feel like the author makes it very clear that Mary is a very spoiled, very bratty character whose actions are not right.

But I love how Mary learns and grows, and uses that knowledge to help Colin. Dicken is just adorable and I need a person like him in my life. I really do still love this story as much as I did while I was a child.