Anne of Green Gables (Classic Starts Series)

by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Kathleen Olmstead (Abridged by), Lucy Corvino (Illustrator), Arthur Pober (Afterword)

Overview

Following Sterlings spectacularly successful launch of its childrens classic novels (240,000 books in print to date),comes a dazzling new series: Classic Starts. The stories are abridged; the quality is complete. Classic Starts treats the worlds beloved tales (and children) with the respect they deserve--all at an incomparable price.

Lucy Maud Montgomerys classic tale, with its engaging heroine and evocative description of the Prince Edward Island landscape, never fails to delight youngsters. When Matthew Cuthbert goes to the train station to pick up the orphan he and his sister Marilla plan to adopt, he expects to meet a boy who can help on the family farm. Instead its Anne--a talkative, dreamy, red-haired, freckle-faced 11-year-old little girl who transforms the Cuthberts life forever and fills it with love and joy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781402787225
Publisher:	Union Square Kids
Publication date:	12/07/2010
Series:	Classic Starts® Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	497,163
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	7 - 9 Years

About the Author

One of the best-loved children's/young adult authors, Lucy Maud Montgomery was born on November 30, 1874 in Clifton, Prince Edward Island, Canada, the daughter of Hugh John and Clara Woolner. After attending Prince of Wales College and Dalhouse College in Halifax, she became a certified teacher, eventually teaching in Bideford, Prince Edward Island. She also served as an assistant at the post office and as a writer for the local newspaper, The Halifax Daily Echo. Best known for her Anne of Avonlea and Anne of Green Gables books, Montgomery received many high honors. She was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 1923 and a Canadian stamp commemorates Montgomery and Anne of Green Gables. In addition, various museums dedicated to the book series and Montgomery's life dot Prince Edward Island. The books in the Anne series follow the growth and adventures of a red-haired, spritely, high-spirited and imaginative orphan named Anne who lives on Prince Edward Island. The success of these books rested in Montgomery's ability to vividly recollect childhood and her easy storytelling ability. They are tremendously popular to this day and have been translated into more than 35 languages and adapted as movies and PBS television productions. On July 5, 1911, L.M. Montgomery married Ewan Macdonald, a Presbyterian minister, and the marriage produced three children. She died on April 24, 1942.

Read an Excerpt

Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert have asked the orphanage for a boy. So when spirited redheaded chatterbox Anne Shirley arrives at Green Gables, the Cuthberts are shocked and try to take her back to the orphanage. Can Anne convince them to have a change of heart?

"There's been a mistake," Marilla said. "Matthew and I wanted you to bring us a boy. Can we send the child back?"

"I suppose so," said Mrs. Spencer thoughtfully. "But I don't think that will be necessary. Mrs. Blewett was here yesterday. She's looking for a child to help her. She has a large family, you know. And here comes Mrs. Blewett now!," she exclaimed. "We can settle the matter right away."

Mrs. Blewett darted her eyes over Anne from head to foot. "Humph! There's not much to you. But you're wiry, and the wiry ones can work the hardest. You'll have to be good and smart and respectful. I'll expect you to earn your keep. All right, I can take her home now."

Marilla looked down at Anne's pale, miserable face. "Well, I don't know," she said slowly. "I didn't say that we were absolutely not going to keep her. I think I'll take her home again and talk it over with Matthew."

Anne did not speak until she and Marilla were in the buggy, driving back to Green Gables. "I'd rather go back to the orphanage than live with that woman," Anne said firmly. "I'll do anything you want, if only you'll keep me."

Editorial Reviews

Gr 3-4-A simplified version of the classic story, with a large font and wide spacing. The original plot is loosely mirrored, including Anne's arrival at the Avonlea train depot, Matthew and Marilla's efforts to accept her into their household, Anne's struggles and success in school, and Matthew's death. Essential character traits and resulting conflicts are conveyed-Anne's exuberance and imagination, Matthew's shyness, Marilla's quiet sense of order, and Mrs. Lynde's meddling. Of course many of the original descriptions have been trimmed for simplicity and brevity. Corvino's black-and-white pencil illustrations give readers images of the fashions, hairstyles, and buildings of the day. This serviceable retelling will be appreciated by readers not yet ready for the original work.-Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

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