Grades 4-7
This hauntingly written story is reminiscent of [a:Kathi Appelt|29011|Kathi Appelt|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1213387640p2/29011.jpg]'s novels, not so much in subject matter, but in the beautiful use of language and the easy melding of fantasy and realism. Molly and Hannah have been sent from Newcastle to the English countryside to live with their grandparents, following the unexpected death of their mother, and their father's emotional withdrawal as he tries to deal with his grief. Molly is lonely and withdraws into her books and her imagination, while the older Hannah tries to cope by striking out at the people around her. When Molly makes a mysterious friend in the forest-- a man who can make flowers grow from his palm and trees grow where he touches the earth-- her family members think this is more of her imagining. But the man is real, and he is in real danger from the Holly King, who is on the hunt. As Molly tries to figure out how best to help her friend, she learns that much of life is cyclical, and that good and bad are not as absolute as she had once thought. Molly is a fresh and engaging character, and the secondary characters are fully drawn. In spite of the serious themes, the over-riding message is one of hope. My one issue with this book is in the title: Molly is very forthcoming with her family about "her man," so there is really not a secretive element involved. ( )