Kindle
$10.99
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Hardcover
$16.55
Paperback
$4.03
Buy new:
-8% $16.55
FREE delivery Saturday, May 11 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$16.55 with 8 percent savings
List Price: $17.99

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Saturday, May 11 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Thursday, May 9. Order within 20 hrs 46 mins
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$16.55 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$16.55
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$7.04
Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less See less
FREE delivery May 13 - 17. Details
Or fastest delivery May 7 - 10. Details
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$16.55 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$16.55
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Ships from and sold by ThriftBooks-Phoenix.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Guy Jones
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Ice Garden Hardcover – February 26, 2019

by Guy Jones (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 72 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$16.55","priceAmount":16.55,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"16","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"55","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"5ovb4Pcj8VuUe%2FP09bCleUqbCsLSKBp6TRwjPak5%2FTNADwZPA1HuEeO2JGlFarjNmkGw2vJLIb%2FLg9dib41817xA%2BLGdQPRW9GDA6BHwNaqcq7FvAu3dC9IB82AUSxMvTTVi8v1m44EDqhbBLigJnA%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$7.04","priceAmount":7.04,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"7","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"04","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"5ovb4Pcj8VuUe%2FP09bCleUqbCsLSKBp6J168ro0rtaW6bLXsH4GzAoZK7FM6OFJ6sO6f1DJa5qttfmjcqhnTsTWUi6LXoW9OSHWMj7oaIdxQhziteGZZF1guLOkZYsGwDVl35kNA4HMDG68fQUkxJBKk2%2Bhkv%2BVAzrSHTN9j2zzrMCMhLZP7RvpFYuj3Suz5","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Allergic to the sun, Jess sets out to explore the world she longs to be a part of by night. But what she discovers is a beautiful impossibility: a magical garden wrought of ice...

Jess's imagination has always been her best friend. She's trained it to feel as real as it possibly can, especially in the stories she writes for Davie -- the young boy in a coma who is her only friend. But nothing is as real as the world she'll find.One night, tired of peeking at the other children beyond her curtained house, she sneaks out to explore the empty playground she's longed to visit. Beyond, she discovers a garden made entirely of ice. This is her place: a Narnia with flying elephant mice and ice apples with shining gold liquid inside.But Jess soon discovers that she's not alone. And her presence there could be destroying its very existence.
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    9 - 13 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    272 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    3 - 7
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1 x 8.75 inches
  6. Publisher
    Chicken House
  7. Publication date
    February 26, 2019
  8. ISBN-10
    1338285335
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1338285338
  10. See all details
Next page
Teachers' picks | Explore children's books by grade

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 3–6—More than anything, 12-year-old Jess just wants to be like other kids. But Jess is allergic to the sun, a condition that forces her to spend most of her time inside, behind closed shades, or encased in a heavy protective suit complete with hood and goggles. When she's not traveling back and forth for doctor visits with her mom, Jess learns at home and spends her free time making up fantastic tales that she hopes will one day make her famous. One night, fed up with her circumstances, Jess sneaks out to the neighborhood playground she has always wished to visit. Startled by a strange sound, she flees to the woods behind the playground and stumbles into a magical place: a garden made completely of ice. Entranced, she begins to make nightly visits to the playground and soon discovers that she is not alone: Owen, also made of ice, becomes a trusted friend, one of the first Jess has made in a long time. This gentle tale strikes a pleasing balance between the harsh realities of illness and a fantastical world in which to escape. Young readers will relate to Jess and her frustration at the lack of control she has over her life. This effectively straddles the line between realistic fiction and magical realism. VERDICT This feel-good, modern fairy tale is ideal for elementary libraries and all middle grade collections.—Kristy Pasquariello, Westwood Public Library, MA

Review

"This feel-good, modern fairy tale is ideal for elementary libraries and all middle grade collections." -School Library Journal"She may be different from others, but she is herself and that is good. This is a magical story of friendship, self-discovery, and acceptance." -School Library Connection

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chicken House (February 26, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1338285335
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1338285338
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 9 - 13 years, from customers
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 72 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Guy Jones

Guy Jones

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Guy was born in Botswana, grew up in Bedfordshire and now lives in St Albans with his wife and step-daughter. He spent a decade writing for the theatre, including the West End musical Never Forget, before finally knuckling down to write a book.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
72 global ratings
Worth the money
5 Stars
Worth the money
Great book
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Olivia F.
5.0 out of 5 stars lush story of imagination and friendship
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2019
THE ICE GARDEN follows Jess, a 12-year-old with extreme photosensitivity, which means she cannot go out safely during the day. If she spends even a minute or two in the sunlight unprotected, she will get extremely bad burns and blisters on the exposed skin. As such, her world is mostly indoors with strong curtains. If she must go out, such as to the doctor, she goes “Full Hat,” which is described as looking like a bee keeper suit. She is also isolated, since “friends” in the past have been cruel to her for being different.

Jess writes beautiful stories, and she dreams of being normal. While she is at the hospital to treat a sliver of skin that was exposed for a few minutes, she finds her way to the room of a boy who is in a coma. She learns that his name is Davey, and she tells him stories. At the same time, she is leaving her house at night to be able to be out without going full hat. She traveled to the playground where she found an entrance to a world without sun, made out of ice. In this world, she meets Owen, a boy made of ice, who becomes her friend.

She continues to visit both the ice world at night and Davey when she is at the hospital without her mother knowing. When Owen gives her a gift that she puts in her freezer, she finds that her condition is gone and she can be out in the sunlight. However, there is a cost to the gift of which she was not aware. Jess must begin to make some big decisions about her life and that of the others for whom she has come to care.

What I loved: The descriptions in this book are lush, and the world and people leap off the pages. The plot moves quickly, and the fast pace makes it difficult to put this book down. With beautiful imagery and unique characters, this is a delightful read. The friendships and hardships make this story truly heart-warming. Notably, the book also includes themes about embracing who you are and loving yourself as you are.

Final verdict: This lovely middle grade book features a young girl with a big imagination and lots of heart that will appeal to the target audience. With elements of magical realism and beautifully written prose, this is a heart-warming and absolutely charming book about friendship, helping others, and embracing yourself. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a lush fantasy/magical realism story.

Please note that I received an ARC through YABC. All opinions are my own.
Helpful
 Report
Herblady22
5.0 out of 5 stars Ice or Earth?
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2018
Vine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )
A great YA book. Jess suffers from serious sun allergy. She needs to go "full hat" which means a hood, hat, goggles, gloves and every inch of skin covered lest she burn deeply from even 3 minutes of sun exposure. Even sun through the window will burn her, so she lives with blackout curtains. She can go on outdoor walks in the winter but in summer it is past her bedroom. She writes stories to pass the time. Her only friend is her mother.

One day at the hospital. a frequent destination, she walks into the room of a boy in a coma. She reads one of her stories to him, figuring that he could probably hear and feeling a kinship because they both have little control over their lives. One night she sneaks out, walking to the playground where she has seen children playing. She is narrating the missing children and their parents, when she feels that she is being watched. She runs to a hedge by a white wall, where she finds a crack large enough to walk through. It is cold, despite the Summer heat and when she walks through she sees a garden made of ice. Not a garden covered in frost, but one actually made of ice. She explores several times and finally meets Owen, a boy made of ice. They eventually become friends after he gets over his fear and they meet often, running through a planted maze and sliding down a long hill with a track, and looking at the forest across an ice suspended rope bridge over a deep moat.

During the day she finds ways to visit Davey, the coma boy and she recounts stories to him. He is still unresponsive but his mother appreciates her attention. She also borrows artifacts from a neighbor to show Owen since he knows nothing of geography, African animals, the world she lives in and a shell that her father brought her before he abandoned the family.

Owen presents her with an intricate ice shell just like her father's, made out of purple ice. He cautions her not to let it melt, so she brings it back home and hides it in the freezer. The next day she goes into remission.

I won't spoil the story, but she has to choose between health and friendship, not easy when she has had to live a freakish existence. I will say that I read this book straight through.
Helpful
 Report
SJ1973
4.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I asked for
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2018
Verified Purchase
The book is in excellent condition.
Helpful
 Report
Annie
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written...
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2018
Vine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )
The Ice Garden
Guy Jones
Can you imagine never feeling the warmth of the sun because you are allergic and the sun burns your skin. While Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE) is real this book has a lot of fantasy and magical qualities. In this tale we meet Jess is twelve-year-old girl allergic to the sun. She craves the suns warm rays but must remain covered for protection. One night she sneaks out without protecting her skin. She discovers the park is a frightening place at night. Jess finds the Ice Garden and Owen, a boy made of ice. They trade gifts and Jess discovers she can be in the sun again. But will it last forever?

Jess is persistent, upset and at times angry. Her attitude is understandable considering all she goes through. Davey is a young boy in the hospital. In the early scenes they form a firm friendship. In the later scenes Davey is in a coma and Jess writes stories and reads them to him. This is a story of friendship, a story of learning to deal with life even though it is not always the way we want it. I love The Ice Garden; it is a magical place, a beautiful place. This is a beautiful tale that leaves us with many unanswered questions. Questions about Davey and Owen and their connection to Jess. I like that the author sheds light on PMLE. Many people are not familiar with the disorder.
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Peaches
5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 27, 2018
Verified Purchase
I absolutely adored this book. It's an enchanting story of 12 year old Jess who is allergic to sunlight. She's home-schooled and highly imaginative, but her life at home trapped under her 'hat' and her regular hospital visits means she lacks adventure. This all changes when she takes a night walk to the park and discovers the ice garden. It's the Narnia Chronicles meets The Secret Garden with a touch of Judy Blume's humour. I adored Jess and her relationship with Owen the ice boy. Their story perfectly shows the true meaning of friendship and I was weeping towards the end. It's a brilliantly enchanting tale and I highly recommend it to any young person (or grown up!) who wants a beautiful and captivating adventure. Five Stars.
Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars The Ice Garden is a clever, layered, and powerful story... I was enchanted.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2018
Verified Purchase
The Ice Garden is a clever, layered, and powerful story... I was enchanted. Brave feisty Jess, her fabulous mum, and their tough predicament are so honestly written they broke my heart a little and then put it all back together again. The imagery of that Ice Garden is stunning, it's neither Narnia, or Beyond The Wall, it's all of it's own. I love the message of friendship and bittersweet hope, and find myself wishing I could find out what happens to Jess as she grows up. This book has a classic fable-like quality and I'll be recommending widely to both kids and grown-ups.
2 people found this helpful
 Report
Mr S T Forrest
5.0 out of 5 stars A superb read - my daughter loved it!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 7, 2018
Verified Purchase
I bought this for my seven year old daughter, as she has an 11.5 reading age and we were asked to challenge her with more difficult reads. She really enjoyed the book, and whilst she found it a little harder than truly age appropriate reads, it’s a great read and this meant that she was prepared to put the effort in. I thought she might be scared by some of the themes (this is a child who won’t go upstairs alone after dark) but she loved it and really bonded with Jess as a character.
3 people found this helpful
 Report
ssg007
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully written book, not just for the young ones!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2018
Verified Purchase
A beautifully written story with some unexpected twists that take you through a magical adventure with Jess. Such a heartwarming story which sees things through the eyes of a child who seems different to the rest..... but the love and tenderness she shows highlights that regardless of external appearances, we really are all the same on the inside. So touching and great read for young ones and the rest of us!.
One person found this helpful
 Report
MRS M M JOHN
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is fantastic. I was sucked into the book the day ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 20, 2018
Verified Purchase
This book is fantastic. I was sucked into the book the day I started reading it. It is a story of sadness, friendship and a scary but magical, heart-warming adventure. I would recommend this book.
One person found this helpful
 Report