Pollyanna is orphaned at eleven years old. Her wealthy Aunt Polly feels it's her duty to have Pollyanna move in with her. Right from the start, Pollyanna spreads her "gladness" wherever she goes. As time passes, she touches the lives of many people in her community until her own "gladness" is in need of repair.

This was delightful! Of course, I am aware of the Pollyanna stereotype, but now I have a clear image ingrained in my mind. I am so glad that I finally read this uplifting book. I am. I am. (4.5/5)

Originally posted on: Thoughts of Joy ( )

A very interesting novel.

Although I've heard many references to people being too "Pollyanne-ish" I had never actually read the book - and I have to say that Pollyanna gets a bad rap. If more of us had the habit of finding things to be grateful for, we'd find that we were happier - even in the face of terrible troubles. Pollyanna didn't deny that things were bad - she just didn't dwell on them and she tried to look for the best in everyone and in all situations. The story is an old-fashioned one, but is enjoyable even so - and there's even a little romance at the end! ( )

Genre: Realistic/Historical Fiction
Review: This is a great example of realistic fiction. The main character Pollyanna draws you into the story and makes you believe in her world. You quickly understand the time and setting of the book and the plot is very believable. ( )

Andrea Barelle
June 21, 2008
Book Review
EDCI 4120/5120
Summer, 2008

Porter, E.H. (1976). Pollyanna. Lightyear Press: New York

GRADE LEVELS: 6-9

CATEGORY: FICTION; FAMILY

READ-ALOUDS: pages 29-34 (glad game); 51-56 (Miss Snow); 83-88 (Mr. Pendleton); 146-149 (Pollyanna’s accident); 190-192 (Aunt Polly’s wedding and Pollyanna walks again)

SUMMARY: This book is about the adventures of a little orphan girl named Pollyanna Whittier. After the death of her parents she goes to live with her aunt Polly, who is unmarried, very wealthy, and a socialite. Pollyanna lightens up even the gloomiest of people in Beldingsville, Vermont where she lives. She shows them the “Glad Game.” She has many good times, but her spirits are tested when she is hit by a car and paralyzed from the waist down. All the people of the town come to tell her that they are praying for her and show her the kindness and happiness that she showed them. She ends up going to a hospital where she learns to walk again and her aunt Polly marries an old flame, which is something that Pollyanna had wanted for awhile. The book is tidied up very nicely.

THEMES: The theme of this book is optimism. Pollyanna had been through a great deal in her short life, but she finds the hope and happiness in everything she does. She manages to help cantankerous old Mrs. Snow find something to believe in and be happy about as well as the old miserly Mr. Pendleton. Pollyanna sees the good in everything and everyone. She is a good and caring person and the book resonates the need for optimism in life.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Pollyanna changed an entire town’s worldview. Is this realistic and do we have people out there today trying to do the same thing?
2. Did the author represent Pollyanna’s feelings well when she was pessimistic about her paralysis? Why or why not?
3. How does the end of the book make you feel and do you believe the author tied up all the loose ends on purpose? Should the author left us questioning Pollyanna’s outcome?

READER RESPONSE: Another book that I liked. The movie that Disney put out gave me a little background and I found out that one major part had been changed. In the movie Pollyanna is paralyzed by falling out of a tree so that was a shock when I read that she was actually hit by a car. In any event, the book was well written and it was fun and easy. I think that this book would work best for younger students and students who aren’t high level readers. This is another book that targets a strong female force and also presents the ideas of seeing the glass half full instead of half empty. ( )