Anne of Green Gables facts for kids
Cover art of the first edition
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| Author | Lucy Maud Montgomery |
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| Illustrator | M. A. and W. A. J. Claus |
| Cover artist | George Gibbs |
| Country | Written and set in Canada, published in the United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Anne of Green Gables |
| Genre | Novel |
| Set in | Prince Edward Island |
| Published | June 13, 1908 |
| Publisher | L.C. Page & Co. |
| Followed by | Anne of Avonlea |
Anne of Green Gables is a famous book written in 1908 by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. It's a classic story for young people. The book is set in the late 1800s. It tells the adventures of Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old orphan girl.
Anne is sent by mistake to Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. These two older siblings live on a farm called Green Gables. They wanted to adopt a boy to help them. Their farm is in the made-up town of Avonlea, on Prince Edward Island, Canada. The book shows Anne's life with the Cuthberts, at school, and in the town.
Since it was published, Anne of Green Gables has been translated into at least 36 languages. It has sold over 50 million copies. This makes it one of the best-selling books ever. It is taught to students all around the world. This book was the first of many. Montgomery wrote many sequels. In 2008, a prequel called Before Green Gables was published. It was written by Budge Wilson for the book's 100th anniversary.
The story has been made into films and TV shows. There are also animated and live-action series. Musicals and plays have been created too. These shows are performed every year in Canada, Europe, and Japan.
Contents
How the Story Started
Lucy Maud Montgomery got the idea for Anne of Green Gables from notes she wrote as a young girl. She had an idea about two siblings who mistakenly received an orphan girl instead of a boy. But they decided to keep her anyway.
Montgomery also used her own childhood memories from rural Prince Edward Island, Canada. She used a photo of Evelyn Nesbit as inspiration for Anne Shirley's face. She had cut this photo from a magazine and put it on her bedroom wall. It reminded her of "youthful idealism and spirituality."
At the time, stories about orphans were very popular. Montgomery was inspired by these. But she made her character special by spelling Anne's name with an extra "e." She based other characters, like Gilbert Blythe, on people she knew. Montgomery said she wrote the book in the evening, sitting by her window. She would look out over the fields of Cavendish.
Anne's Story: A Summary
Anne Shirley is a young orphan from a made-up place called Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia. She is sent to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. They are unmarried siblings in their fifties and sixties. Anne had spent her childhood in different homes and orphanages.
Marilla and Matthew wanted to adopt a boy from the orphanage. They needed help on their farm at Green Gables. This farm is in the fictional town of Avonlea. But because of a mix-up, the orphanage sent Anne instead.
Anne is very imaginative and loves to talk. She is eager to please and can be very dramatic. She insists that her name must always be spelled with an "e" at the end. However, Anne doesn't like how she looks. She dislikes her red hair, freckles, and thin body. But she likes her nose. She talks a lot, especially about her fantasies and dreams.
At first, Marilla is strict and wants to send Anne back. But after watching Anne and thinking about it, Marilla decides to let her stay. Kind and quiet Matthew also encourages her.
Anne finds great joy in life. She quickly gets used to her new home. She thrives in the small farming village. Her imagination and talkativeness soon make Green Gables a brighter place.
The book tells about Anne's challenges and happy times at Green Gables. This is the first real home she has ever known. She goes to the country school and quickly becomes excellent in her studies. She becomes best friends with Diana Barry, the girl next door. Anne calls Diana her "bosom friend."
Anne also starts to have writing dreams. She has a rivalry with her classmate Gilbert Blythe. He teases her about her red hair. This makes her instantly hate him, even though he apologizes many times. As time passes, Anne realizes she no longer hates Gilbert. But her pride and stubbornness stop her from talking to him.
The book also follows Anne's adventures in Avonlea. She plays with her friends Diana, calm Jane Andrews, and pretty Ruby Gillis. She has arguments with the unpleasant Pye sisters, Gertie and Josie. She also gets into many "scrapes" at home. For example, she accidentally dyes her hair green when she tries to dye it black.
When Anne is sixteen, she goes to Queen's Academy. She wants to earn a teaching license. Gilbert, Ruby, Josie, Jane, and other students go with her. Diana does not go, which makes Anne sad. Anne gets her license in one year instead of two. She also wins the Avery Scholarship. This award is given to the best student in English. This scholarship would let her study for a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. She could go to the fictional Redmond College in Nova Scotia.
Near the end of the book, something sad happens. Matthew dies from a heart attack. He learns that all his and Marilla's money was lost in a bank failure. Anne loves Marilla and Green Gables very much. So, she gives up her scholarship. She decides to stay home and help Marilla, whose eyesight is getting worse.
Anne plans to teach at the Carmody school, the closest school. She will return to Green Gables on weekends. Gilbert Blythe does a kind act. He gives up his teaching job at the Avonlea School for Anne. He chooses to work at the White Sands School instead. He knows Anne wants to stay near Marilla after Matthew's death. After this kind act, Anne and Gilbert become good friends. Anne looks forward to what life will bring next.
Main Characters
The Green Gables Family
- Anne Shirley: An imaginative, talkative, red-haired orphan. She comes to live with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert when she is 11. Anne is very sensitive and dislikes her red hair. She spent her early childhood moving between orphanages and foster homes. She often cared for younger children. She is thrilled to finally have a real home at Green Gables.
- Marilla Cuthbert: Matthew's sister. She is strict but fair. She has a small sense of humor. Her life was dull until Anne arrived. She tries to teach Anne discipline. But she grows to love Anne's lively spirit and joy.
- Matthew Cuthbert: Marilla's brother. He is a shy, kind man. He likes Anne from the very beginning. They become fast friends. He is the first person to show Anne unconditional love. Marilla is mainly in charge of raising Anne. But Matthew likes to "spoil" her. He buys her pretty clothes and fancy shoes.
Anne's Friends and Classmates
- Diana Barry: Anne's best friend and a "kindred spirit." Anne and Diana become close friends right away. Diana is the only girl Anne's age who lives near Green Gables. Anne thinks Diana is pretty with black hair and perfect skin. She also likes Diana's friendly personality. Diana is not as imaginative as Anne. But she is a very loyal friend.
- Gilbert Blythe: A handsome, smart, and funny classmate. He is two years older than Anne and likes her. He doesn't know Anne is sensitive about her red hair. He tries to get her attention by pulling her braid and calling her "Carrots." Anne breaks a slate over his head. He tries to apologize many times. But Anne's anger and stubbornness stop her from speaking to him for years. By the end of the book, they make up and become good friends.
- Ruby Gillis: Another of Anne's friends. She has several older sisters. Ruby loves to share her knowledge about boys with her friends. She is pretty and blonde. But she is a bit silly and often gets very emotional.
- Jane Andrews: One of Anne's friends from school. She is simple and sensible. She does well enough in school to join Anne's class at Queen's.
- Josie Pye: A classmate that other girls generally don't like. Josie is vain, dishonest, sharp-tongued, and jealous of Anne's popularity.
- Prissy Andrews: Another school friend of Anne's. People think she is dating the teacher, Mr. Phillips.
People in Avonlea
- Mrs. Rachel Lynde: A neighbor of Matthew and Marilla. Mrs. Lynde loves to know everyone's business. But she is also hardworking and kind. She and Anne start off badly because Mrs. Lynde is too blunt and Anne has a quick temper. But they soon become very close. Mrs. Lynde is married to Thomas Lynde. He is mentioned but never appears. She has raised ten children.
- Mr. Reginald Phillips: Anne's first teacher at Avonlea. Students do not like Mr. Phillips. He always misspells Anne's name (without the "E"). He punishes only Anne when twelve students are late. This makes Anne refuse to go to school for several weeks. He once punished Anne for getting angry with Gilbert Blythe. He is described as not having good control of his class. He also openly flirts with one of his older students, Prissy Andrews.
- Miss Muriel Stacy: Anne's new teacher. She is full of energy. Her warm and kind nature appeals to her students. But some old-fashioned parents in Avonlea don't like her teaching methods. Miss Stacy is another "kindred spirit" for Anne. Anne sees her as a mentor. Miss Stacy helps Anne grow her character and intelligence. She also helps her prepare for the entrance exam at Queen's Academy.
- Mr. Ben and Mrs. Amaya Allan: The minister and his wife. They also become friends with Anne. Mrs. Allan becomes especially close to Anne. She is described as pretty and is a "kindred spirit."
- Mr. George Barry and Mrs. Barry: Diana's parents. Mr. Barry is not seen much until later in the book. He drives Anne and Diana to Charlottetown. He is a farmer. Near the end of the book, he offers to rent some land to help Anne and Marilla after Matthew's death. Mrs. Barry is a strict parent.
- Minnie May Barry: Diana's baby sister. Anne saves her life when she gets sick with croup.
Other Characters
- Miss Josephine Barry: Diana's rich great-aunt from Charlottetown. She is strict at first. But Anne's imagination quickly charms and entertains her. She invites Anne and Diana for tea. She calls Anne "the Anne-girl." She even sends Anne beaded slippers as a Christmas gift.
- Mrs. Heather Hammond: Anne lives with her for a time before Green Gables. She cares for Mrs. Hammond's three sets of twins. Anne is sent to the Hopetown orphan asylum when Mrs. Hammond has to break up her home after her husband dies suddenly.
Legacy and Recognition
Anne of Green Gables has left a lasting mark.
Buildings
- The popularity of the books and films led to buildings being named "Green Gables." For example, an apartment building called "Green Gables" was built in the 1930s. It is in New Farm, Queensland, Australia.
Museum
- Bala's Museum is in Bala, Ontario, Canada. It is a house museum opened in 1992. It is dedicated to Lucy M. Montgomery's life and heritage. Montgomery and her family stayed there in 1922 during a summer vacation. That visit inspired her novel The Blue Castle (1926). The town in the novel is named Deerwood. This was Montgomery's only story setting outside Atlantic Canada.
Postage Stamps
- On May 15, 1975, Canada Post released a stamp honoring Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables.
- In 2008, Canada Post released two postage stamps and a souvenir sheet. These honored Anne and the "Green Gables" house.
Reading Lists
- In 2003, Anne of Green Gables was ranked number 41 in The Big Read. This was a BBC survey to find Britain's "nation's best-loved novel."
- In 2012, it was ranked number nine among all-time children's novels. This was in a survey by School Library Journal, a magazine mainly for a U.S. audience.
Adaptations: Anne on Screen and Stage
The story of Anne has been brought to life in many ways.
Films
The first film with Anne Shirley was a silent movie in 1919. It was called Anne of Green Gables. Mary Miles Minter played Anne. This film is now considered a lost film. The 1919 film changed the story's setting from Prince Edward Island to New England. Montgomery was very upset by this. She felt the film changed Anne from Canadian to American. She also felt the actress didn't capture Anne's true spirit.
In the 1934 film, Anne was played by Dawn O'Day. She later changed her name to "Anne Shirley." She played Anne again in Anne of Windy Poplars (1940). Montgomery liked the 1934 film more than the 1919 one. She liked that the book's dialogue could be heard. Also, two scenes were filmed in Prince Edward Island. But she still felt neither film truly captured her book.
List of Films
- Anne of Green Gables (1919): A silent film starring Mary Miles Minter. This film is now lost.
- Anne of Green Gables (1934): Starring Dawn O'Day as Anne. She later changed her screen name to Anne Shirley.
- Anne of Windy Poplars (1940): Starring Dawn O'Day, now known as "Anne Shirley."
- Akage no An: Green Gables e no Michi (1989, released in 2010): An anime film. It is a movie version of the first six episodes of the Akage no An TV series.
Radio Shows
- Anne of Green Gables (1941): A British radio drama by BBC Home Service Basic.
- Anne of Green Gables (1944): A remake of the 1941 BBC Radio drama.
- Anne of Green Gables (1954): A Canadian radio drama by CBC Radio.
- Anna zo Zeleného domu (1966): A Slovak radio drama.
- Anne of Green Gables (1971): A British radio drama by BBC Radio 4.
- Anne of Green Gables (1997): A British radio drama by BBC Radio 4.
- Anne of Green Gables (2004): A Focus on the Family Radio Theatre production.
Stage Shows
- Anne of Green Gables: The Musical: Performed every summer at the Charlottetown Festival since 1965. It is Canada's longest-running musical. It has been seen by over 2 million people. It has toured Canada, the U.S., Europe, and Japan.
- Anne and Gilbert, The Musical: Performed at The Guild in Charlottetown. It is based on Montgomery's later books about Anne.
- The Nine Lives of L.M. Montgomery: A musical that opened in 2008. It tells parts of Montgomery's life and features characters from her books.
- Anne of Green Gables (2006): A musical produced by Theatreworks USA in New York.
- Anne of Green Gables (2009): A play staged by The Peterborough Players in New Hampshire.
- Anne and Gilbert: A musical about Anne and Gilbert's relationship as teachers and college students.
- Anne of Green Gables (1996-97): A play performed in Melbourne, Australia.
- Anne of Green Gables (2018): A "folk-rock" musical.
Animated TV Shows
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- Akage no An (1979; Red-Haired Anne): A Japanese animated TV series.
- Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series (2001): A PBS Kids animated series for older children.
- Anne: Journey to Green Gables (2005): An animated film, a prequel to the 2001 series.
- Kon'nichiwa Anne: Before Green Gables (2009): A prequel to Akage no An. It is based on Budge Wilson's book Before Green Gables.
- Anne Shirley (2025): A new animated TV series from Japan.
Live-Action TV Shows
- Anne of Green Gables (1952): A BBC TV series. No recordings exist.
- Anne of Green Gables (1956): A TV musical.
- Anne de Green Gables (1957): A French-Canadian TV film.
- Anne of Green Gables (1958): A remake of the 1956 film.
- Anne of Green Gables (1972): A British 5-part TV mini-series.
- Anne of Avonlea (1975): A sequel to the 1972 mini-series.
- Anne of Green Gables (1985): A four-hour CBC mini-series. Many people consider this the best version.
- Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel (1987): A sequel to the 1985 mini-series.
- Road to Avonlea (1990–1996): A TV series based on other L.M. Montgomery books. Anne does not appear, but other characters from the films are included.
- Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story (2000): A sequel to the 1985 series, not based on the books.
- Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning (2008): A prequel to the 1985 series, not based on the books.
- L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables (2016): A TV adaptation.
- Anne with an E (2017–2019): A Canadian CBC-Netflix TV drama. It explores deeper themes from the novel.
Web Series
- Green Gables Fables (2014–2016): An American-Canadian web series. It tells the story using social media like Tumblr posts and vlogs. It's a modern version of Anne of Green Gables.
- Project Green Gables (2015–2016): A Finnish web series. It's a modern version told through vlogs.
Comics
- Akage no An (1984): A three-volume manga adaptation.
- Rainbow Valley (2003): A two-volume manga based on the seventh novel in the series.
- Anne of Green Gables (2013): A manga adaptation.
- Anne of Green Gables (2010-2014): A four-issue comic book series.
- Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel (2017): A graphic novel version.
- Anne of West Philly (2022): A modern retelling.
- Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of) (2022): A modern retelling.
- Anne Shirley (2025): A manga adaptation of the upcoming anime series.
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See also
In Spanish: Ana la de Tejas Verdes para niños
