by L. M. MontgomeryCharacters:
Anne Shirley, an orphan girl
Matthew Cuthbert, a shy husband
Marilla Cuthbert, his wife
Diana Barry and Gilbert Blythe, classmates
The Story:
Matthew Cuthbert and wife Marilla, whose house was known in Avonlea as Green Gables, wrote an orphanage to send them a boy to help in the farm work. The orphanage send little orphan Anne Shirley instead. They decided to keep her and Anne proved to be a bright, curious, sunny girl who showed spirit and temper now and then.
The couple learned to love Anne, sent her to Avonlea school where she developed friendships with Diana Barry and Gilbert Blythe, whom she pummeled first for calling her “Carrots,” because of her red hair. There were other classroom experiences with Anne participating. Once she fell off the kitchen roof of Mrs. Barry’s home and sprained her ankle. Classmate Diana Barry got drunk because Anne gave her currant wine thinking it was raspberry cordial.
Marilla promised Anne she could join a school picnic. Then Marilla missed her brooch and suspected Anne, who denied taking it. On the day of the picnic, Anne made up a confession that she had taken the brooch which fell into the town river when she leaned far out. Then Marilla found the brooch in an old shawl where she had absentmindedly placed it before.
Anne won a scholarship at Queen’s Academy, tying for first place with Gilbert for a free four-year college study. But Matthew died, so she gave it up to Gilbert, and accepted a teaching job just to be with the widow, Marilla.
Comment:
This is the sentimental story of young Anne who wins the heart of everyone she meets. The school incidents are pleasant and refreshing reading, being the day-to-day experiences of high school boys and girls. The lesson is that kindness shines warmly around us and develops lasting friendships.