Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables. By L.M. Montgomery. Puffin, 2008. 464 pages. PB $4.99 ISBN 978-0141321592

Summary: As an orphan, Anne Shirley is used to being in the depths of despair. She’s worked as a nanny for countless families, and has been greatly abused by the adults in her life. However, she’s always nourished a strong imagination, and when Mrs. Spencer tells her that a family from Prince Edward Island has adopted her, she’s thrilled beyond measure. It is her wildest hope to live on the most beautiful province in Canada. What will happen to Anne’s dreams when the Cuthberts find out that she’s not a boy?

Critical Review: Though more than one hundred years old, Anne of Green Gables continues to entrance tween girls. Anne Shirley’s optimism, strength, and positive outlook on life are traits that many will want to emulate. Anne is always getting into scrapes, however, she always learns from her mistakes. Deeply sensitive about her red tresses, Anne confronts Mrs. Rachel Lynde for making fun of her hair. She dreams of jet black hair, like her bosom friend, Diana Barry. However, even Diana notes that black hair doesn’t stop Gilbert Blythe from making fun of her. Anne has always dreamt of having a kindred spirit as a friend, and her wish is fulfilled for the first time upon moving to Avonlea. She and Diana are together around the clock, until the time that Diana unknowingly gets drunk on Marilla Cuthbert’s red currant wine, while taking tea with Anne. The two girls are distraught when they are separated, however, they become bosom friends again when Anne saves Diana’s little sister, Minnie May, from the croup. A range of other issues are on display in this classic work as Anne deals with difficult teachers, excels in her studies, dreams of puffed sleeves, walks the ridge pole of the church, smashes her slate over Gilbert Blythe’s head, dyes her hair green, attends Queens College Collage, and mourns Matthew’s death.

Genre: Friendship

Reading/Interest Level: 8-12 years

Series: Anne of Green Gables Series

Similar Materials: The following books in the Anne of Green Gables Series: Anne of Avonlea; Anne of the Island; Anne of Windy Poplars; Anne’s House of Dreams; Anne of Ingleside; Rainbow Valley; Rilla of Ingleside; The Blythes are Quoted

Subjects/Themes: Orphans/Orphanages; Child Abuse; One-Room School Houses; Prince Edward Island, Canada; Nova Scotia, Canada; Imagination; Adoption; Friendship

Character Names: Anne Shirley; Marilla Cuthbert; Matthew Cuthbert; Rachel Lynde; Diana Berry; Mr. and Mrs. Berry; Gilbert Blythe; Miss Muriel Stacey; Josie Pye; Jane Andrews; Rubby Gillis; Prissy Andrews; Reverend and Mrs. Allen; Minnie May Barry; Miss Josephine Barry; Mr. Phipps; Mrs. and Mr. Hammond; Mrs Spencer; Mrs. Blewett

Brief Annotation: First published in 1908, Anne of Green Gables epitomizes a bosom friendship between two Prince Edward Island girls, and legions of young readers are continually driven to this classic novel.