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In early twentieth-century Vermont, orphaned, eleven-year-old Pollyanna comes to live with her austere and wealthy Aunt Polly, and uses her philosophy of gladness to bring happiness to her aunt and other unhappy members of the community.
Miss Polly Harrington entered her kitchen a little hurriedly this June morning. Miss Polly did not usually make hurried movements; she specially prided herself on her repose of manner. But today she was hurrying actually hurrying.
Nancy, washing dishes at the sink, looked up in surprise. Nancy had been working for Miss Polly's kitchen only two months, but already she knew that her mistress did not usually hurry.
"Nancy!"
"Yes, ma'am." Nancy answered cheerfully, but she still continued wiping the pitcher in her hand.
"Nancy" -- Miss Polly's voice was very stem now"when I'm talking to you, I wish you to stop your work and listen to what I have to say."
Nancy flushed miserably. She set the pitcher down at once, with the cloth still about it, thereby nearly tipping it over-which did not add to her composure.
"Yes, ma'am. I will, ma'am," she stammered, righting the pitcher, and turning hastily. "I was only keepin' on with my work 'cause you specially told me this momin' ter hurry with my dishes, ye know."
Her mistress frowned.
"That will do, Nancy. I did not ask for explanations. I asked for your attention."
"Yes, ma'am." Nancy stifled a sigh. She was wondering if ever in any way she could please this woman. Nancy had never "worked out" before. But a sick mother, suddenly widowed and left with three younger children besides Nancy herself, had forced the girl into doing something toward their support, and she had been so pleased when she found a place in the kitchen of the great house on the hill -- Nancy had come from "The Comers," six miles away, and she knew MissPolly Harrington only as the mistress of the old Harrington homestead, and one of the wealthiest residents of the town. That was two months before. She knew Miss Polly now as a stem, severe-faced woman who frowned if a knife clattered to the floor, or if a door banged-but who never thought to smile even when knives and doors were still.
"When you've finished your morning work, Nancy," Miss Polly was saying now, "you may dear the little room at the head of the stairs in the attic, and make up the cot bed. Sweep the room and clean it, of course, after you clear out the trunks and boxes."
"Yes, ma'am. And where shall I put the things, please, that I take out?"
"In the front attic." Miss Polly hesitated, then went on: "I suppose I may as well tell you now, Nancy. My niece, Miss Pollyanna Whittier, is coming to live with me. She is eleven years old, and will sleep in that room."
"A little girl -- coming here, Miss Harrington? Oh, won't that be nice!" cried Nancy, thinking of the sunshine her own little sisters made in the home at "The Comers."
"Nice? Well, that isn't exactly the word I should use," rejoined Miss Polly stiffly. "However, I intend to make the best of it, of course. I am a good woman, I hope, and I know my duty"
Nancy colored hotly,
"Of course, ma'am. It was only that I thought a little girl here might-might brighten things up-for you, " she faltered.
,,"Thank you," rejoined the lady dryly. "I can't say, however, that I see any immediate need for that."
"But, of course, you-you'd want her, your sister's
child," ventured Nancy, vaguely feeling that somehow shemust prepare a welcome for this lonely little stranger.
Miss Polly lifted her chin haughtily.
"Well, really, Nancy, just because I happened to have a sister who was silly enough to marry and bring unnecessary children into a world that was already quite full enough, I can't see how I should particularly want to have the care of them myself. However, as I said before, I hope I know my duty. See that you clean the comers, Nancy," she finished sharply, as she left the room.
"Yes, ma'am," sighed Nancy, picking up the half-dried pitcher-now so cold it must be rinsed again.
In her own room Miss Polly took out once more the letter which she had received two days before from the faraway Western town, and which had been so unpleasant a surprise to her. The letter was addressed to Miss Polly Harrington, Beldingsville, Vermont, and it read as follows:
"Dear Madam: I regret to inform you that the Reverend John Whittier died two weeks ago, leaving one child, a girl eleven years old. He left practically nothing else save a few books; for, as you doubtless know, he was the pastor of this small mission church, and had a very meager salary.
"I believe he was your deceased sister's husband, but he gave me to understand the families were not on the best of terms. He thought, however, that for your sister's sake you might wish to take the child and bring her up among her own people in the East. Hence I am writing to you.
"The little girl will be all ready to start by the time you get this letter; and if you can take her, we would appreciate it very much if you would write that she might come at once, as there is a man and his wife here who are going...
Pollyanna Book and Charm. Copyright © by Eleanor Porter. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.| 1. | Miss Polly | 1 |
| 2. | Old Tom and Nancy | 6 |
| 3. | The Coming of Pollyanna | 10 |
| 4. | The Little Attic Room | 17 |
| 5. | The Game | 25 |
| 6. | A Question of Duty | 30 |
| 7. | Pollyanna and Punishments | 38 |
| 8. | Pollyanna Pays a Visit | 44 |
| 9. | Which Tells of the Man | 53 |
| 10. | A Surprise for Mrs. Snow | 57 |
| 11. | Introducing Jimmy | 66 |
| 12. | Before the Ladies' Aid | 75 |
| 13. | In Pendleton Woods | 79 |
| 14. | Just a Matter of Jelly | 85 |
| 15. | Dr. Chilton | 90 |
| 16. | A Red Rose and a Lace Shawl | 99 |
| 17. | "Just Like a Book" | 106 |
| 18. | Prisms | 112 |
| 19. | Which Is Somewhat Surprising | 117 |
| 20. | Which Is More Surprising | 121 |
| 21. | A Question Answered | 127 |
| 22. | Sermons and Woodboxes | 133 |
| 23. | An Accident | 140 |
| 24. | John Pendleton | 146 |
| 25. | A Waiting Game | 153 |
| 26. | A Door Ajar | 158 |
| 27. | Two Visits | 161 |
| 28. | The Game and Its Players | 168 |
| 29. | Through an Open Window | 180 |
| 30. | Jimmy Takes the Helm | 185 |
| 31. | A New Uncle | 188 |
| 32. | Which Is a Letter from Pollyanna | 190 |
Jo_RH_Book_Worm
Posted July 8, 2011
I had just seen the movie of this book and thought it was so cute. Its about poor orphaned Pollyanna who moves in with her up-tight spinster aunt who feel its only her "duty" to have Pollyanna. The more pollyanna goes into the town, the more she brings by introducing everyone to caring, fun, and energetic personality and showing every situationn has a silver lining by her "glad game". But just as Pollyanna brings the most that she can-a traumatic accident hits that not even Pollyanna can find joy in. You will laugh, cry, and look at the world through all new eyes after falling in love with Pollyanna.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 13, 2009
Pollyanna Whittier is a young girl. Her mother, Jenny Whittier, already died, and her father has recently died as well. Now that she is an orphan, she is sent to go live with her strict, and rich, Aunt Polly. Pollyanna soon does most of the things anticipated by her aunt. When she is running errands in the town, she changes the lives of villagers. As she interacts with the townspeople, she meets a mysterious man named Mr. John Pendleton. After days of trying to get him to say hi and talk with her, one day he asks a lot of questions and they get to know each other throughout the book. She brings him to safety and calls Doctor Chilton. Very soon after that happens, Pollyanna herself mistakenly believed that she could run across the road before the oncoming motorcycle zoomed by. Very, very, unfortunately, she did not make it in time. She is rushed home and the doctor is immediately called. Tragically, Pollyanna finds out that she can not walk ever again in whole her life. Miraculously, Dr. Chilton knows another doctor in the city that can actually fix Pollyanna¿s legs. Her Aunt Polly tells her that Doctor Chilton and she used to be engaged but somehow got in a fight and never talked to each other for 7 years. Now that Pollyanna is in the hospital getting her legs repaired, she must stay there for a couple more months. Finally, Aunt Polly and Dr. Chilton get married right in the hospital!
Pollyanna is one the brightest girls I have ever heard about! She is so thoughtful of others. The genre was historical fiction and I don¿t like historical fiction. But to my surprise, the book was so touching, that it made me want to read it all over again! I am sure my mom would love to read this book because she is easily touched by these types of stories.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 5, 2004
'Pollyanna' is a great book. I gave this book 5 star because it has big prints for kids who have difficulty reading small prints and the pictures are really pretty!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 15, 2012
I am 11 years old and love reading classics. I have read this book as an ebook and have also got from the library. I have read this book so many times and I can't get enough of this truly moving story! I recommend this to anyone who likes a powerful moving story.
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EbonyWolfe
Posted January 12, 2012
I had read this book when I was very young. I believe that this story has good morals in it and will never grow old. I bought this book for my 9 year old niece hoping that she will enjoy the characters and the attitude of Pollyanna as much as I always have.
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Posted November 15, 2011
Lots of typos and interference. Anxious to see if a paid-for copy is better. Disappointing for my daughter, who was really excited to get started on this book. :(
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Posted September 22, 2011
Why did you rate it ***?
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Posted September 22, 2011
Too many typos
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Posted July 17, 2011
This book is awesome you got to read this book i recemend this awesome book and the classic starts series!
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Posted April 25, 2011
100 thumbs up!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.bookworm628
Posted March 24, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Pollyanna is a charming classic. It is perfect for children and adults alike. Every little girl should read this book at some time in her life.
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Posted May 26, 2007
There's nothing better to my mind than an optomistic child who spreads joy everywhere he/she goes and to everyone he/she meets. This book is about one such child and it's incredible. Like they say, 'It's better to sweeten someone with wine than to sour them with vinegar.' This book should be a staple in school for all children to learn from.
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Posted November 2, 2005
this book is about an 11 year old orphan who only owns 1 dress. Her mother died including her children, besides Pollyanna. After she gets off the train to live with her aunt polly she is so exited to see the next step of the world before her!!You should read this book to find out what happens after all of this because this is one of the best books I have ever read!!!!
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Posted December 12, 2005
I loved the book Pollyanna. I was done with the book in three days. I would read the book!!!!!
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Posted October 10, 2005
i am starting this book it sounds really cool and i got to know that the aunt is very mean what she said about the name in the begginnig and i can't wait to finish it but hopefully i can end this book but remember 'DON'T JUGDE A BOOK BY ITS COVOUR YOU'LL NEVER KNOW ONCE YOU READ IT'.
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Posted November 18, 2005
Pollyanna is much more than a children¿s book. I read this book for the first time, I am 38, and found myself unable to put it down. I am a manager at a large company and found that there are many situations each day where the game can make things much smoother. Ms. Porter has left the world a masterpiece in it¿s simplicity. I would encourage everyone to read Pollyanna, as it is a very fast read and yet conveys a very powerful message.
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Posted June 16, 2005
This book was so cool. If you want a book to make you want to never put it down, read this.
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Posted March 15, 2005
This book I read when I was about 7 years old. I loved it. Now that I am 10 years old I still read it. I recommend it to anyone that wants to read a story of courage, passion, and love.
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Posted November 6, 2004
this book is unforgetable.It is a story of hope and love, and shows that a little optimisim goes a long way. Pollyana,an 11 year old girl, has lost everything.she is orphaned and owns only 1 dress. she is sent to live with her cold,demanding aunt. but pollyana has created a secret weapon for herself, to keep her from being exiled from a world that has for as long as she can remember, shoved her aside.this is a story of a little girl's perspective of the world and her secret that spreads happiness, even in the lonlyest of worlds. this story is beautiful and inspiring.
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Posted July 11, 2004
This book was the best book I've read for a long time. It's heart warming, funny and just great! I would recomend this book to anyone who's looking for a fantastic classic!
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![Pollyanna [Glad Series Book 1]](http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/154730000/154730747.GIF)
Overview
Pollyanna's eternal optimism has made her one of the most beloved characters in American literature. First published in 1913, her story spawned the formation of "Glad" clubs all over the country, devoted to playing Pollyanna's famous game. Pollyanna has since sold over one million copies, been translated into several languages, and has become both a Broadway play and a Disney motion picture.
In early twentieth-century Vermont, orphaned, eleven-year-old Pollyanna comes to live with her austere and wealthy Aunt Polly, and uses her philosophy of gladness to bring happiness to her aunt and other unhappy members of the community. ...