Anne of Green Gables is a
very popular series of children’s books, though many teens and adults have
enjoyed the colorful scrapes Ms. Ann(e) Shirley experiences. The story follows an orphan girl who is sent
to Green Gables at the request of Maurilla and Matthew Cuthbert (middle aged
brother and sister), who are shocked to find she is a girl, not a boy. Whoopsies!
After meeting Ann(e), who wants to be called Ann with an E at the end, they
decide to keep her as she is spunky, witty, and funny. Maurilla Cuthbert takes
it upon herself to raise Ann(e) properly as she did have a lack of propriety. Unfortunately,
Ann(e) gets into more misadventures than expected. She gets her bosom friend
accidentally drunk, accidentally dyes her green, and loses her temper on
multiple occasions. The book ends rather
tragically when Matthew passes away, Maurilla discovers she will be stone-cold
blind within months, and the Cuthberts’ entire savings were lost in a Canadian
bank collapse. Instead of going off to college, Ann(e) decides to stay and be a
teacher at Avonlea School, while helping Maurilla out on Green Gables. Now Maurilla does not have to sell the
property. After everything Maurilla had done for her, Ann(e) decides to pay it
forward good for you Ann(e)!
I had read Anne of Green Gables
as a child, but definitely did not remember some of the instances in the book.
I remember the series being close in comparison to the Little House on the Prairie series. Hey both Laura Ingalls Wilder
and Ann(e) Shirley become teachers and are spunky, nature-loving gals. Now that I have re-discovered the series via
Audiobook, I have already suggested this title to many 5th and 6th
grade girls looking for summer reads featuring girls. Some of have been open to
it, others wanted a more contemporary gal (I don’t blame them).
I have to admit that listening to audiobooks have introduced me to more
books and classics that I would not read on my own. When I read, I need full on
action and engagement with plot. With audiobooks, the plot can be slower as
long as the narrator sounds enthusiastic.
In terms of reluctant readers, audiobooks should certainly be highly
recommended. I am trying to convince
young readers and parents in graphic novels and audiobooks for the summer. Even if the book isn’t Moby Dick or a high level of reading, these varied mediums can
still help struggling readers to improve their reading performance. Graphic novels
yes have more pictures, but plots and vocabulary are on a high level of
complexity which is perfect for visual learners. Some are more auditory and
therefore audiobooks would work better. I know that I would have preferred to
listen to audiobooks and am certain it would have helped me with my English
studies.
Just remember fellow librarians that children and adults alike can
enjoy different mediums of storytelling.
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