Module 2: Anne of Green Gables

Module 2: Anne of Green Gables

Book Summary:

Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a brother and sister who live together in their childhood home in Prince Edward Island, Canada, adopt a young girl named Anne to assist them on their farm, Green Gables. For the first time in her life, Anne feels loved. She makes friends and frequently finds herself in unusual predicaments. Through these trials she learns many valuable lessons for life. She achieves academic success and even wins a prestigious Avery scholarship to attend college. Through the loss of her beloved Matthew and Marilla’s illness, Anne chooses to forego college to stay in Avonlea to teach school and care for Marilla.

APA Reference of Book:

Montgomery, L.M. (1908). Anne of green gables. New York, Duke classics.

Impressions:

This book was a great story about a very likeable character. Throughout the story the reader will find themselves rooting for young Anne as she tries to find her way. Anne’s innocence is so appealing and it’s very touching to experience the relationships as they develop. The closeness that Matthew and Anne develop is so very sweet. He immediately becomes the doting dad to his and especially Marilla’s surprise. The relationship between Marilla and Anne is also something special and it’s very touching to watch it grow. Though, the couple were meant to adopt a boy, they come to realize that this happy mistake was providence. This is quite the heartwarming moment. The author developed the characters so well that the reader can empathize with them as they go through all their ups and downs.

Professional Review:

Parents need to know that this classic 1908 children's novel by L.M. Montgomery remains a perennial favorite thanks to its memorable heroine: irrepressible red-headed orphan Anne Shirley. Anne's adventures are full of amusing (and occasionally mildly dangerous) scrapes, but she's quick to learn from her mistakes and usually has only the best of intentions. Although Anne gets her best friend drunk in one episode (it's an honest mistake), there's very little here that's at all iffy for kids -- though younger readers might get a bit bogged down in the many descriptions of Anne's Prince Edward Island, Canada, home. A sad death may hit some kids hard, but the book's messages about the importance of love, friendship, family, and ambition are worth it.

QUALITY

More than a century after she first beguiled readers, Anne Shirley is still one of the most beloved characters in children's literature -- and for good reason. You can't help but be charmed by her mix of chatter, imagination, fierce loyalty, and enthusiasm. Her tendency for the dramatic -- both the dizzying heights of joy and the depths of despair -- makes her relatable and sympathetic, and her ability to see beauty in everything is inspiring.

Montgomery's knack for creating memorable characters and realistic dialogue makes ANNE OF GREEN GABLES extremely readable, though reluctant readers (or younger kids in general) may balk at her many descriptions of Prince Edward Island's natural splendors. Those who are ready for Anne's adventures, though, will find her a delightful companion -- and will be excited to follow her through the book's multiple sequels.

Bozdech, B. [Review of Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery]. Common sense media. Retrieved from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/anne-of-green-gables#

Library Uses:

This is a story that can be shown to students in an effort to introduce them to the genre of historical fiction. Reading some excerpts, particular those involving some of Anne’s antics, might interest students to read this novel.