Anne Shirley is an iconic figure in children’s literature. The young red-haired orphan lost her parents when she was only an infant, and during her early life, she was bounced around between foster homes and orphanages, frequently used more as a little servant for her foster families, doing chores and taking care of younger children, instead of really becoming part of any of their families. Anne’s life changed when she was taken in by the Cuthberts in the town of Avonlea.

Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, an aging brother and sister who had never been married, were seeking some help on their farm, Green Gables (which is located in the fictional town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island in Canada). When another acquaintance of theirs decided to adopt a child from an orphanage, they decided that perhaps they would take in an orphan boy, providing him with a home and a decent upbringing in exchange for his help with farm chores. However, by mistake, the orphanage sent them a girl, Anne, instead of a boy.

At first, Marilla thought that they should return Anne to the orphanage and correct the mistake, but Anne was distressed at the idea that she was unwanted yet again in her life, and Matthew was starting to become attached to the lively, imaginative girl. After thinking it over, seeing Matthew’s feelings, and realizing how much Anne needed some stability and guidance in her life, Marilla agreed to keep Anne at Green Gables.

Anne’s best friend in Avonlea is a girl about her age named Diana Barry, who lives with her parents and younger sister at another farm near Green Gables. The two girls attend the local school together, and many of the events in the first book in the series are about the adventures they have and scrapes they get into when they’re young. Anne and Diana were also friends with some of the other girls at school, especially Ruby Gillis (who unfortunately dies young of tuberculosis) and Jane Andrews (who ends up marrying a wealthy man).

All of the character age in the series. When the series begins, Anne is eleven years old. The first book covers Anne’s life at Green Gables with Matthew and Marilla until Matthew’s death from a heart attack, about five years. Anne continues to age throughout the series, eventually becoming a teacher and writer and later marrying her childhood rival and sweetheart, Gilbert Blythe.

When Anne first comes to live with the Cuthberts, she is impulsive and has trouble controlling her temper (something that Anne later learns was also true of Marilla in her youth, helping to endear the two of them to each other). In particular, Anne is very sensitive about personal criticism, especially about her appearance. Her rivalry with Gilbert begins when he teases her about her red hair, causing her to hit him over the head with her slate at school. Although Gilbert apologizes to her for the insult, it takes Anne a long time to accept it. Instead, she pours her feelings into competing with Gilbert in various school subjects. Gilbert finally makes amends to her by letting her have the teaching assignment that was intended for him, the Avonlea school, allowing Anne to continue living at Green Gables with Marilla after Matthew’s death instead of having to go to another town.

Gilbert later becomes a doctor, and after he and Anne marry, they have seven children together (although the first one dies in infancy). Diana also marries and has three children.

The author of the series, Lucy Maud Montgomery, also wrote other books about girls who, like Anne, were raised by people other than their parents and had vivid imaginations and a talent for writing.  Some of the books in the Anne series were published out of the order in which they’re supposed to take place.

Books in this series have been made into movies more than once. Probably the best-known version is the 1985 mini-series with Megan Follows playing the part of Anne.

Books in the Series:

Anne of Green Gables (1908)

When an aging, unmarried brother and sister decide that they could use some extra help on their farm, they the decide to take in an orphan boy who can help with the farm chores. However, by mistake, the orphanage sends them a red-haired young girl instead, changing their lives and others in the community with her liveliness and imagination.

Anne of Avonlea (1909)

Anne begins teaching school in Avonlea, and begins a real friendship with Gilbert. Marilla also takes in a pair of orphaned twins, Davy and Dora.

Anne of the Island (1915)

Anne attends Redmond College to further her education and has her first tastes of romance.

Anne of Windy Poplars (1936)

Anne takes a teaching job in another town but has trouble because the wealthy, elite family in town doesn’t approve of her.

Anne’s House of Dreams (1917)

Anne and Gilbert get married and begin their life together.

Anne of Ingleside (1939)

Anne is pregnant with her sixth child and has to deal with the visit of a disagreeable aunt.

Rainbow Valley (1919)

A family moves into a mansion near where Anne and her family are living, and the children team up to help a runaway girl.

Rilla of Ingleside (1921)

The final book of the series focuses on Anne’s daughter Rilla (named after Marilla) as her brothers go off to fight in World War I and Rilla looks after an orphaned baby.