How young is too young for Anne of Green Gables?

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  • Jenni
    Participant

    My DD8 is devouring these books at a pretty hearty pace. She read the original title in the series, then she found a newer book written in the style of the older ones, called “Before Green Gables”. It fills in the years before Anne was adopted. Now she’s rereading the original Anne with the intent of finding the others and reading them in order. Seriously she reads a hundred pages or more a day if we let her.

    I’ve never read them, but I am starting now. I know lots of you ladies have godly young women under your wings and I’d love to hear your take on this. Any other young, mature readers in our midst? Was this series appropriate for them?

    TIA,

    Jenni

    jeaninpa
    Participant

    Yes, definitely appropriate if she’s reading the originals by L.M. Montgomery.  In fact, more than appropriate –character building material there.  I am totally unimpressed with some of the spin-off series that I’ve read though, Twaddle to the nth degree.  Avoid those.  I would also guess that an 8 yo, no matter how mature, would miss much of the nuances that Montgomery gives her characters, so I hope she’ll read them again in a few years.

    I never read these growing up, but read the first one with my kids and we all LOVED it. My dd who was 8 at the time went on to read the rest of the series.

    Afterwards, you HAVE to watch the Masterpiece Theater movie starring Megan Follows. It’s really just as good as the book IMO. Very well done. So funny and so touching to the heart!

    MamaSnow
    Participant

    Actually…the 3rd movie doesn’t follow the books at all (I didn’t really like it, but I’m kinda a purist like that), but the first 2 are great. These books are among my very, very favorites. The paperbacks I grew up with are all tattered now. Enjoy. =)

    bethanna
    Participant

    There’s a “before Green Gables” movie too, but I’ve not seen it. I agree with Mamasnow abt the 3rd movie. The original book series by LMM is great! I read them all & others as a child and many times since. My other favorites of LMM are Pat of Silver Bush ? and Mistress Pat.

    jeaninpa
    Participant

    Jane of Lantern Hill and The Blue House, also the Emily series — absolutely wonderful.

    Jenni
    Participant

    Thanks all! I just got done with the Before Green Gables Prequel written by Budge Wilson. I wasn’t too impressed with the violence and the mention of “monthlies” for my DD8’s eyes, anyway. It did bring up some great discussion points, but I’m not familiar with LMM’s writing so I can’t compare at all.

    I’m starting on the original series this morning since the prequel ended with such a cliffhanger! Argh! Guess since I’ve been doing this with the kiddos’ read-alouds for awhile I could stand a taste of my own medicine ,huh?

    bethanna
    Participant

    So what do you think, Jenni? Wonderful books?

    Jenni
    Participant

    I’m definitely hooked. I asked my MIL for the series for Christmas (for my DD8 of course). It is really wonderful to share this book and the characters with my daughter. We are enjoying lively discussions that I never even realized I was missing out on in my own childhood. We’re going to keep it going with other series as well.

    Thanks for all the advice, ladies!

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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