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Children's books

Anne of Green Gables series

20 replies

MrsAlwaysRight · 11/08/2016 19:37

Is there anything unsuitable for a 9 year old in this series? I haven't read them for 20+ years so can't remember! TIA

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PlanBwastaken · 11/08/2016 19:37

Definitely not! All safe Smile

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ForeverYazoonique · 11/08/2016 19:39

Oh now I want to read them again! And yes, utterly safe

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HermioneWeasley · 11/08/2016 19:39

All fine. They are wonderful books

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NotCitrus · 11/08/2016 19:41

All remarkably safe, though the later ones about falling in love and relationships and raising children may not interest the 9yo (and the last one is heartbreaking, plus I'd been under the impression they all took place in my parents' childhood so figured we'd about reached the 1960s, so imagine my surprise when WW I kicked off...)

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MrsAlwaysRight · 11/08/2016 19:43

Thanks all

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Elllicam · 11/08/2016 19:44

Her first baby does die. Plus the last one has some deaths. I do remember finding the baby death quite upsetting when I first read it. It is an amazing series though.

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TheEagle · 11/08/2016 19:48

These were firm favourites of mine at that age.

There is a baby death in Anne's House of Dreams but the wonder of the stories outweighs the tragedy I think.

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Tuiles · 11/08/2016 19:54

Currently reading the first book to my 9yo. She is really enjoying it, but the old fashioned, flowery language and ideas does cause some pauses for explanation.

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Lilamani · 11/08/2016 20:17

My 9 year old first read her way through them last year and loves them. She didn't really enjoy Anne's House of Dreams though and now on her re-reads, she goes from Anne of Windy Willows to Anne of Ingleside.

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LaurieMarlow · 17/08/2016 22:39

Um, Rilla of Ingleside is pretty traumatic what with all the war deaths. Confused

Fine until then though.

I adore the series - one of the must engaging characters ever created.

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MrsAlwaysRight · 22/08/2016 21:47

Thanks for the feedback everyone

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MissisBee · 22/08/2016 21:53

There's a death in nearly all of them. Although beautifully written. I'm revisiting all of them via audio book at the minute. Surprising scene in Anne of the Island where they tried to chloroform the cat, although luckily he survived. I was probably about 8 or 9 when I started them, got to to Rilla at about 11.

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lolalament · 06/09/2016 11:03

I loved Anne Of Green Gables when I was younger. I recently got Emily for my kindle, but I haven't read it yet because I'm worried it won't be as good and will spoil my love for the author

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claraschu · 06/09/2016 11:09

I never liked these books, in spite of loving any number of classic children's books. Anne always seemed a bit fake and pretentious to me. The chloroforming the cat scene just confirmed my opinion of her, didn't surprise me, much as I was horrified.

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Seqkat · 06/09/2016 12:39

Ruby's fate in one of them is pretty scary, and Matthew of course - but things to be aware of and discuss with a 9yo I'd think, not things which should be avoided entirely. I actually think they're a great series for starting thinking about death and grief in an appropriate way. All handled very beautifully and sensitively, which helps.

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converseandjeans · 17/09/2016 22:25

Aaah Gilbert Blythe! Not relevant to the question I know

www.willreadforfeels.com/lists/reasons-gilbert-blythe-best-book-boyfriend-ever-list/

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beatricequimby · 29/09/2016 22:29

My ten year old loved all of them but found Rilla of Ingleside very sad.

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ErrolTheDragon · 29/09/2016 22:38

I would probably spread them out and get to Rilla a little later TBH - not necessarily because of 'suitability' but because a somewhat older child might take in a bit more of the WWI history. I'd not read the whole series as a child and learned quite a bit myself esp the Canadian POV.

However - when I got the whole set for DD there was also a collection of short stories included. I can't remember the name offhand - anyway, quite a lot had a similar theme of sisters, one dominant... bit odd ... and there was one story which I quit reading as scanning ahead I could see that it was by todays lights racist.

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Terrifiedandregretful · 06/10/2016 20:41

They're still my favourite books in the world! The one I skip on my re-reads is Anne of Windy Willows. I find the letter structure a bit annoying and the Anne-magic a bit too unbelievable in winning over an entire town who hated her. I started reading them aged about 9 and got to Ingleside at about 11.

I've just this evening finished The Blue Castle which I saw recommended on here and all Anne fans should read it!

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teenmumandsowhat · 06/10/2016 20:46

Can anyone remember what the book set before green gables is called? I'm not entirely sure who wrote it, but from my recollection, it was all about her upbringing, before she moved to green gables.

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