Reviews

Gr 5-7-With a full cast and some background music, this radio play version of Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic hits the high points of the original novel. It is quite abbreviated, so each episode in Anne's orphan-girl-made-good story is afforded just enough time to lay out the bones of the plot. However, Anne's spunky and endearing character shines through scene after scene, as does some of the nostalgic charm of Avonlea's Canadian setting and quaint old Green Gables. All the parts are read very well, with a touching intensity that makes up for some of the brevity of plot episodes. A narrator fills in quite smoothly between the scenes for each event. Two nice features for young listeners make this a useful introduction to audio fiction. There is a pleasant chime played at the end of each side, and at the beginning of each side a line or two from the preceding side is repeated, helping to move listeners smoothly through the break in the action. This entertaining version may help lead youngsters to the original novel. School and public libraries seeking to add abridged novels to their collections or to introduce or entice young readers to longer fiction will want to consider this version.-Jane P. Fenn, Corning-Painted Post West High School, NY Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.

Nova Scotia-born children's author Wilson gives us the backstory to a classic, imagining little orphan Anne of Green Gables before she found her new family. Look for the 100th-anniversary edition of L.M. Montgomery's beloved work (ISBN 978-0-399-15478-2. $19.95). Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.