Publisher and Publication Date: Sourcebooks Fire. First published in 1909. This edition 2014.  
Genre: Fiction. Young adult.
Pages: 287.
Format: Paperback.
Source: Library.
Audience: L. M. Montgomery readers.
Rating: Good.

Link @ Amazon.

Link @ Barnes and Noble.

L. M. Montgomery’s Goodread’s author page.

Summary:

Anne is 16. She is a teacher for a year at the local school.

Marilla takes in twins who are relatives. They are age six.

Anne’s best friend, Diana, and a best friend who is a boy, Gilbert, are sources of comfort and encouragement.

In book two, Anne transitions from school attendee to teacher. During her process, she develops into a mature young woman ready for life beyond Avonlea.

My Thoughts:

I am reading Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy; and as a compliment book to it, I chose to read Anne of Avonlea which is book two in the Anne of Green Gable’s series.

When I was in middle school I read Anne of Green Gables. I do not remember if I read it again in high school or older. This is the first time to read Anne of Avonlea.

I love the second paragraph in the first chapter.
“But an August afternoon, with blue hazes scarfing the harvest slopes, little winds whispering elfishly in the poplars, and a dancing splendor of red poppies outflaming against the dark coppice of young firs in a corner of the cherry orchard, was fitter for dreams than dead languages.” Page 1.
The first reason I enjoyed reading this book is the crisp details of Avonlea. I love descriptions of what the characters in stories see. I want to see what they see and at least feel to an extent what they are feeling. It helps me become invested and swept up in the story.
A second reason why I enjoyed reading this story is the personality of Anne. She is likable. She is real. She is not presented as perfect. She is a person who has strengths and weaknesses. I love the fleshing out of who she is at 16. Dreamy and innocent. She has her whole life ahead of her and she is beginning to envision a life beyond Avonlea. In addition, I love her “Anneish philosophy.” See page 106.
In one of the final conversations in the book, Anne and her best friend contemplate what it will be like to be engaged and married. This is a common conversation for young women. The sighing and dreaminess of being in love and getting married makes me remember those days of my youth when I thought about the same thing.
I love the transformation of Anne’s awareness about life. In the brief year of this book’s timeline, I see a maturing Anne.