Anne of Green Gables

Amazon.com Review

When Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert of Green Gables, Prince Edward Island, send for a boy orphan to help them out at the farm, they are in no way prepared for the error that will change their lives. The mistake takes the shape of Anne Shirley, a redheaded 11-year-old girl who can talk anyone under the table. Fortunately, her sunny nature and quirky imagination quickly win over her reluctant foster parents. Anne's feisty spirit soon draws many friends--and much trouble--her way. Not a day goes by without some melodramatic new episode in the tragicomedy of her life. Early on, Anne declares her eternal antipathy for Gilbert Blythe, a classmate who commits the ultimate sin of mocking her hair color. Later, she accidentally dyes that same cursed hair green. Another time, in her haste to impress a new neighbor, she bakes a cake with liniment instead of vanilla. Lucy Maud Montgomery's series of books about Anne have remained classics since the early 20th century. Her portrayal of this feminine yet independent spirit has given generations of girls a strong female role model, while offering a taste of another, milder time in history. This lovely boxed gift collection comprises Anne of Green Gables, Anne of the Island, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne's House of Dreams, Anne of Ingleside, Rainbow Valley, and Rilla of Ingleside. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter

• Publisher: Starfire; Slp Rep edition (October 6, 1998)

Meet Kit

This story chronicles Kit's life during the Great Depression as her father loses his job and mother's friend comes to live with her family. Kit learns to change her attitude to adjust to her new circumstances and learns to love her changed life.

• Publisher: American Girl (September 1, 2000)

Written by Valerie Tripp

Movie Trailer

Meet Samantha

Samantha Parkington is an orphan who lives with her rich grandmother in 1904. There are many servants in Grandmary's busy, bustling household, but there is no one for Samantha to play with. That's why she's so excited when Nellie moves in next door. Nellie has come to work so that she can send money back to her family in the city. Even though their lives are different, the two girls become good friends. 

by Susan Adler and Jeanne Thieme

Publisher: American Girl 

Bud, Not Buddy

Bud, Not Buddy is a tender story about an orphaned boy living in Flint, Michigan, during the Great Depression. The main character, Bud, decides to try and find his father. The only clue his mother left him was several flyers about a band in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Awards: John Newbery Medal, Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, Golden Kite Award for Fiction, Coretta Scott King Award for Authors

• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (1999)

Maniac Magee

This is the story written by Jerry Spinelli of a young boy named Lionel Jeffery "Maniac" Magee who just can't seem to stop running. He runs from his old life, and he finds himself in the racially-divided town of Two Mills. Before long, he starts making a name for himself as he accomplishes impressive feats wherever he goes. Not everyone is happy, however, and he must think of his new family that has welcomed him into their home. 

Maniac Magee is a very useful and insightful book on issues related to race, what it means to be an orphan, and finding where you belong. This book can be used for a variety of different purposes, and is a fun, easy read to which students can relate. 

• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; second edition (November 1, 1999)
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Uses in the Classroom

Awards: John Newbery Medal, Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award