Historical Fiction Review: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

-
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery Montgomery, Lucy Maud. 1908. ANNE OF GREEN GABLES. Boston, MA: L.C. Page & Co. ISBN 9780553213133 2. PLOT SUMMARY Set on Canada’s idyllic Prince Edward Island, siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert are shocked when the orphan boy they were set to receive turns out to be a girl. 11 year old Anne Shirley is a fiery, talkative, highly imaginative girl who holds her own. Matthew Cuthbert immediately takes a liking to Anne, and convinces Marilla to let her stay rather than return her to the orphanage. This is Anne’s coming of age story, as she learns to navigate her new home, school, and friendships. 3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS L.M. Montgomery creates a dynamic character in Anne. She not only represents an “anything you can do, I can do better” attitude because she is a girl when the Cuthberts’ sent for a boy, but her huge imagination and long ramblings make her extremely likeable and relatable to children. Montgomery paints an idyllic setting at Green Gables in the fictional town of Avonlea, using vivid imagery of orchards and picture-perfect homesteads. The language and images in the story provide readers a nostalgia for simpler times. Anne’s descriptions of her adventures invite readers to grow alongside her, and we feel the weight of the decision when she is faced with foregoing her scholarship to take care of Marilla after Matthew’s death. Because this story was written in 1908, it is historically accurate and yet the writing style seamlessly carries the story into modern times. Anne and the Cuthberts teach readers that you can make your own family, and that love can overcome all challenges. This literary classic is not to be missed. 4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S) COMMON SENSE MEDIA: “The book's messages about the importance of love, friendship, family, and ambition are worth it.” 5. CONNECTIONS Check out all the books by L.M. Montgomery in the Avonlea series: Chronicles of Avonlea Anne of the Island Anne of Windy Poplars Anne’s House of Dreams Rainbow Valley Anne of Ingleside Further Chronicles of Avonlea Rilla of Ingleside

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick Illustrated by Sophie Blackall

-
Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear Written by Lindsay Mattick and Illustrated by Sophie Blackall Bibliographic Data: Mattick, Lindsay. 2015. Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear. Ill. by Sophie Blackall. Toronto: Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0316324908  Plot Summary: The true story of the bear we all know and love, Winnie the Pooh, is told through a bedtime story by the Great Granddaughter of Winnie’s original owner. In 1914, Harry Coleburn is a veterinarian who is called to war to tend to the soldier’s horses. On the way, he happens upon a tiny bear, who he buys and names Winnie. Although Harry is unsure of how their journey together will end, Winnie tags along with Harry and the other soldiers and wins over their hearts. When eventually Harry and Winnie must go their separate ways, Winnie wins the heart of another young boy, named Christopher Robin. Critical Analysis: Finding Winnie is a warm, heartfelt story told in ...
Read more

Review: Popcorn by Frank Asch

-
Popcorn by Frank Asch Bibliographic Data: Asch, Frank. (1979). Popcorn . New York, NY: Aladdin. ISBN 978-1-4424-6662-3 Plot Summary: It’s Halloween night, and Sam’s parents leave him to watch the house while they go to a party. Sam decides to invite his friends over, who all bring popcorn to enjoy at the party. Things get a little out of hand when Sam makes all the popcorn at once, and soon the house is overflowing with popcorn! Sam and his friends must act quickly to get rid of all the popcorn before Sam’s parents get home. Critical Analysis:  Just as with Asch’s other books, the straightforward title lets readers know exactly what they are in for, which is an extraordinary amount of popcorn. The real star of this book is the popcorn itself, taking on a mind of its own and creating chaos for Sam and his friends. Sam tackles the problem of the popcorn overtaking his house without any input from adults. Asch empowers readers to work through their problems, and respects his...
Read more

Historical Fiction Review: The Journal of Wong Ming-Chung: A Chinese Miner by Laurence Yep

-
The Journal of Wong Ming-Chung: A Chinese Miner by Laurence Yep Yep, Laurence. 2000. THE JOURNAL OF WONG MING-CHUNG: A CHINESE MINER. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780590386074 2. PLOT SUMMARY Wong Ming-Chung, otherwise known as Runt, begins his journal in October of 1851, when his Uncle Stone leaves to find riches and fortune in California during the Gold Rush. Runt’s family, like many others in China, are struggling to make ends meet. They hope that they will soon be Guests of the Golden Mountain- families that have money sent to them from family members who become gold miners in California- and their Uncle Stone makes this a reality. Uncle Stone wanted Runt’s older brother, Blessing, to join him in the mines, and Runt is terrified to learn that his family will be sending him instead of his brother. Runt’s journey to California is full of hardships from the moment he sets off, and the glimmering dream of easy money is soon proved to be a misconception. 3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Laurenc...
Read more