From Anna

My edition makes it look like an ordinary school story, and therefore it's been on my shelf for years. Bouncing through comments from [b:My Buddy|378438|My Buddy|Audrey Osofsky|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312059194s/378438.jpg|368270] I learn that Anna is not one of [a:Andrew Clements|63095|Andrew Clements|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1209495851p2/63095.jpg] comfortable middle-class children - and I'm more motivated to move this book forward on my to-read pile.

Well, it was different. A short book, about a nice family, and a somewhat troubled girl. Lots of educational ideas about pre-WWII Germany and Canada, about families, about disabilities, and kindness, etc. Not much room for heartfelt character development, in my show more opinion. I mean, I just never managed to quite empathize with Anna, even though most of the book emphasizes them.

In other words, recommended if you're interested, but I won't push this one anyone. show less

Katherine Paterson writes in the introduction:

"Jean Little has often been called “Canada’s most beloved writer of children’s literature,” and one has only to read From Anna to understand why. For forty years now, young Anna Solden has been warming the hearts of readers of every age and description. If you long for a book about a strong, loving family (and they are rare these days), this is your book. If you, or a loved one, are struggling with an unrecognized disability, this is your book. If you are teased by your more able siblings or put down at school, this is your book. If you are forced to leave the only home you know to move to a strange new setting, this is your book. If you are an outsider, longing for love and show more understanding …
Obviously, I could go on and on. . . .
From Anna is a lovely book. If you haven’t read it before, do, it will warm your heart. If you have, read it again. It will refresh your soul."

And so, friends, like Ms Paterson, I recommend From Anna to you. It is one of the best children's chapter books you will ever read. show less

Perpetually clumsy and slow Anna and her family emigrate from Germany to Canada on the eve of WWII. Once there, it is discovered by the family doctor that her difficulties are caused by poor vision, and she is outfitted with glasses. Still Anna must work hard to adjust to life in a new country, learn English and to convince her lively and athletic older siblings that she is not merely "Awkward Anna" as they have dubbed her. Most of these life lessons are learned at her new school with the help of new friends and a kindly teacher -- Anna is placed in a special education classroom for students needing visual assistance. Although this is a fairly simple and straightforward story, I like how the relationships are realistic and show more multi-faceted; not only do others learn to treat Anna with more kindness, but Anna herself grows as a person and becomes more willing to give people the benefit of the doubt. Some aspects of the book might need explaining for younger readers -- it's a little unclear, in this age of mainstreaming children with similar challenges, why she is in a special education environment. show less

This is one of my most remembered books. I truly loved it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys children's literature. It's a beautiful story.

Family Values

A great classic.

Lexile: 570
Reading Recovery: 21
DRA: 28
Fountas Pinnel Guided Reading: M