From Anna facts for kids
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Cover of the first edition
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| Author | Jean Little |
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| Illustrator | Joan Sandin |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Published | 1972 Harper Collins (US) |
| Pages | 201 |
| ISBN | 0-06-440044-1 |
| Followed by | Listen for the Singing |
From Anna is a children's novel written by the Canadian author Jean Little. It was first published in 1972. The story is about Anna Solden, a young girl who has trouble seeing clearly. She moves from Germany to Canada with her family. This move happens just as a powerful leader named Adolf Hitler and his group, the Nazis, are gaining control in Germany. From Anna is one of Jean Little's most well-known books.
Contents
Meet the Characters
Here are the main people you'll meet in From Anna:
- Anna Elisabeth Solden – Anna is the main character of the book. She is the youngest of five children. Anna often feels like she doesn't fit in with her family. Her brothers and sisters are good at sports and seem graceful. But Anna feels slow and clumsy. She often bumps into things and struggles with chores like sewing or dusting. Her siblings even call her "Awkward Anna."
- Ernst Solden, "Papa" – Anna's father works as an English teacher in Germany. He loves all his children very much. But he has a special soft spot for Anna. The other children sometimes call her "Papa's Pet." Papa is worried about the new government taking over Germany. He wants his family to live somewhere they can think freely.
- Klara Solden, "Mama" – Anna's mother often gets frustrated with Anna. She doesn't understand why Anna struggles with simple tasks. Mama has a habit of calling one of her children "The Dearest Child" when they do something special. This makes Anna sad because she feels she never earns that title. Mama often doesn't see Anna's efforts to please her.
- Rudolf "Rudi" Solden – Rudi is the oldest child in the family. He can sometimes be unkind to Anna. He likes to tease her. Rudi is the one who first calls Anna "Awkward Anna" while reading an English dictionary.
- Gretchen "Gretel" Solden – Gretchen is the second oldest child. She often helps her mother with chores. She gets annoyed when Anna can't do tasks that Gretchen has been doing for years.
- Fritz and Elfrieda "Frieda" Solden – These two are twins. They are younger than Rudi and Gretchen. Even so, they often join in the games and activities of their older siblings.
- Dr. Schumacher – Dr. Schumacher was a friend of Anna's Uncle Karl, who passed away. He helps the Solden family when they arrive in Canada. He checks on the children's health before they start school. Dr. Schumacher is the one who discovers Anna's vision problems. He becomes a strong supporter of Anna.
- Miss Williams – Miss Williams is Anna's first teacher in Canada. She notices something special about Anna. She helps Anna to open up and discover her hidden talents.
What Happens in the Story?
The story of From Anna begins in Germany in the mid-1930s. During this time, many changes are happening in the country. People are moving away, and some are even disappearing.
Leaving Germany for Canada
At the Solden children's school, the new headmaster makes a big change. He stops the students from singing a song called "My thoughts are free." Instead, he makes them sing the national anthem. Anna's father, Ernst, is very worried about these changes. He promises Anna that she will grow up in a place where her thoughts can be free.
Soon after, Ernst's brother Karl dies in Canada. Karl leaves Ernst his shop and home there. Ernst sees this as a chance to move his family to Canada. He tells everyone they will be moving. The rest of the family slowly agrees to the idea. But Anna is very scared. She is already struggling in school in Germany. She wonders how she will manage in a new country with a new language.
A New Home and a Big Discovery
When the Solden family arrives in Toronto, Canada, they are met by Dr. Schumacher. He helps them settle into their new home. He also gives the children health check-ups before they start school. Anna is terrified about starting school. But during her check-up, Dr. Schumacher makes an important discovery. He realizes that Anna can barely see!
Anna gets glasses, which help a lot. However, even with glasses, her vision is still not normal. So, she is placed in a special class with other students who also have vision problems. Her teacher in this class is Miss Williams. Miss Williams sees how much potential Anna has. She slowly helps Anna become more confident and outgoing.
Anna's New Love for Reading
Miss Williams gives Anna a book of poems called A Child's Garden of Verses. Anna quickly falls in love with reading. Her English language skills improve very quickly. Soon, she speaks only English at school and with her new friends. But she still acts a bit distant with her family. She remembers how they didn't understand her for so many years.
A Special Christmas Gift
As the Solden family's first Christmas in Canada gets closer, the children notice something. The Great Depression is making life hard for everyone. Instead of getting money from their parents for gifts, the older children decide to make presents themselves. They try to include Anna, but then decide she is "only a kid." They think their parents won't expect a gift from her.
Anna feels hurt and angry about this. The next day, she can't hide her bad mood from her classmates. She tells Miss Williams about her problem. Then, many other students share similar stories. They all want to give their parents a gift that shows what they can really do.
The next day, Miss Williams has a plan. She and Dr. Schumacher provide money for supplies. The children will weave wastepaper baskets as gifts. Some children are unsure about this idea. But Anna starts right away and weaves a beautiful basket.
On Christmas Eve, Anna's siblings give their gifts to Mama and Papa. Then, Anna brings out her basket. Her parents are amazed, and her siblings are surprised. They wonder how she made something so beautiful. Miss Williams and Dr. Schumacher, who Anna invited, arrive to share in the family's celebration. The story ends with everyone singing "Silent Night." The children sing in English, and the adults (except Miss Williams) sing in German.
