<P> Maytham Hall in Kent, England, where Burnett lived for a number of years during her marriage, is often cited as the inspiration for the book's setting . Burnett kept an extensive garden, including an impressive rose garden . However, it has been noted that besides the garden, Maytham Hall and Misselthwaite Manor are physically very different . </P> <P> The book's working title was Mistress Mary, in reference to the English nursery rhyme Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary . </P> <P> Marketing to both adult and juvenile audiences may have had an effect on its early reception; the book was not as celebrated as Burnett's previous works during her lifetime . The Secret Garden paled in comparison to the popularity of Burnett's other works for a long period . Tracing the book's revival from almost complete eclipse at the time of Burnett's death in 1924, Anne H. Lundin noted that the author's obituary notices all remarked on Little Lord Fauntleroy and passed over The Secret Garden in silence . </P> <P> With the rise of scholarly work in children's literature over the past quarter - century, The Secret Garden has risen steadily in prominence . It is often noted as one of the best children's books of the twentieth century . In 2003 it ranked number 51 in The Big Read, a survey of the British public by the BBC to identify the "Nation's Best - loved Novel" (not children's novel). Based on a 2007 online poll, the U.S. National Education Association named it one of "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children". In 2012 it was ranked number 15 among all - time children's novels in a survey published by School Library Journal, a monthly with primarily U.S. audience . (A Little Princess was ranked number 56 and Little Lord Fauntleroy did not make the Top 100 .) Jeffrey Masson considers The Secret Garden "one of the greatest books ever written for children". In an oblique compliment, Barbara Sleigh has her title character reading The Secret Garden on the train at the beginning of her children's novel Jessamy . </P>

What is the boy sick with in the secret garden