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Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Six Historical Fiction Books Set in Canada

Happy Canada Day! This is the day that Canadians from coast to coast to coast don their red and white and head out to celebrate our fabulous country, which was born on this day, July 1, 1867. It is with history in mind that I thought I would share six interesting historical fiction novels that are at least partly set in Canada. If you love historic fiction, I hope you will find a new book to add to your reading list.

Despite the unprecedented virus situation in Canada Day 2020, this list is by no means an indicator that Canadians will be staying home and reading on July 1. I will be wearing red and white, cooking up something special on the grill, eating some ripe red strawberries, having a walk in our neighborhood to see from a safe distance many Canadian flags flying high and our red and white attired neighbors before coming home and toasting Canada. Here's how we're celebrating Canada Day Together, Apart in 2020 but I digress. Here's the promised list of six fabulous historical fiction books set in Canada.

UNDER THIS UNBROKEN SKY

Under This Unbroken Sky by Shandi Mitchell is a close look at the settling of Canada. Read this book and you will wonder how the prairies ever came to be settled. If it was not one thing it was another for this poor Ukrainian family when they took up a homesteading on the Canadian prairies in the 1930s. Truly a look at how tough life was for those immigrant settlers with a story line that will capture your attention. I have not written a full review of this fascinating book yet but you can read more about Under This Unbroken Sky on Amazon here.

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES: A NEW BEGINNING

Anne of Green Gables may be thought of as a children's book but they are totally appropriate for adults, too. They are an interesting look into Lucy Maud Montgomery's Prince Edward Island in the early 1900s.

Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning was written by Kevin Sullivan. Sullivan was the creator of the original Anne of Green Gables movie series. This book is his more recent prequel to the Anne of Green Gables stories. You can read my complete review of Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning here. I have always been a fan of Anne Shirley and I enjoyed this book.

BEFORE OF GREEN GABLES

Before Green Gables was written by Nova Scotia's Budge Wilson and was my preferred version of what Anne Shirley's life might have looked like before she was sent as an orphan to live on Prince Edward Island. Interesting that two prequels with two totally different stories were published and that they were published just a year apart. You can find my complete review of Before Green Gables here.

THE HOME FOR UNWANTED GIRLS

Joanna Goodman's The Home for Unwanted Girls is set in in French Canada in the 1950s and tells the story of a woman forced to give up her daughter and the tale of that daughter in the Canadian system. There is a lot of heartache in this book but that it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me. You will find my complete review of The Home for Unwanted Girls here.

THE PIANO MAKER

The Piano Maker was written by Kurt Palka and tells the tale of a woman's life taking her from France in the era of the First World War to Canada in the 1930s. I enjoyed this book because it was partially set in Canada. It is particularly interesting for anyone who is interested in the piano and who wants a look into war-time fiction set in Canada's maritime provinces. Find my complete review of The Piano Maker here.

THE QUINTLAND SISTERS

I have long been interested in the lives of the Dionne Quintuplets. Pierre Berton's 1978 novel introduced me to the sisters and I have followed the true life story of these mistreated sisters ever since. They were the world's first set of quintuplets to survive infancy. This book, written by Shelley Wood, is an interesting look into their lives in the 1930s when the world was glad to embrace the sisters even if it meant that they were taken from their parents and displayed as a tourist attraction. Find my complete review of The Quintland Sisters here.

There. I hope you have found a novel with a Canadian theme to add to your list!

Happy Canada Day
and Happy Reading!
Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

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Six Historical Fiction Books Set in Canada

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Thursday, December 6, 2018

Anne of Green Gables Early Reader Chapter Book Reviews

I do not have any wee folk around anymore nor did I ever have any wee girls about the house but that did not stop me from holding throughout my life a love of all things related to Anne of Green Gables and Prince Edward Island. A hold over from my girlhood, I am thrilled to know that the red headed heroine we loved as girls continues to be introduced to successive generations of girls through some beautiful books and television programming.

Anne Arrives and Anne's Kindred Spirits are a retelling of the traditional Anne of Green Gables story for early readers in an easy chapter book format that have been adapted by Canadian author Kallie George. Kallie, that is, with an e. Anne Arrives was released in 2018 and Anne's Kindred Spirits will be released in 2019.

The first story introduces the young reader to Anne Shirley and sets her down at Green Gables where we all know that she belongs. She settles in, that is, after a rough start when they find out she is a girl and not a boy and after she has a run in with the neighbor, Mrs. Lynde.

The second story introduces Anne and the reader to her bosom buddy, Diana. In this book, Anne enjoys a community picnic, which is her first, although that outing is jeopardized when Marilla's prized brooch goes missing.

Author Kallie George has written a number of other books for children including a picture book about Anne Shirley called Goodnight, Anne. Kallie says that she believes that she and Anne Shirley are kindred spirits!

The illustrator Abigail Halpin says that she was gifted with a copy of the original book when she was a teenager and that that book still holds a special place on her book shelf. The illustrations in Anne Arrives, she says, were "influenced by her memories of one of the most beautiful, magical spots on the planet, Prince Edward Island." Her illustrations were crafted using a combination of traditional and digital media.

Both of these books were written with children aged 6 to 8 or in grades 1 through 3 in mind. However, if you child is not quite ready to read these books on her own, you could certainly read them to her. Although intended for children, they are suitable for any one who loves Anne.

I think that this book is wonderful, sharing as it does a simple version of the classic story with the accompaniment of some charming illustrations. My favorite picture might be the two page spread that shows Green Gables in the distance, shown above. It sets the scene in my head, for sure.

As you can tell, yes, this book is RECOMMENDED by me. I think it is lovely but I am biased toward anything from Anne's world. However, Kirkus Reviews calls Anne Arrives, "A dream of an adaptation that is an unabashed love letter to the series that inspired it." In my mind that is high praise indeed.

I think that either book would make a beautiful gift for anyone who loves Anne but it would be especially appropriate for any young girl who is learning or will soon be learning to read. If you want to expose your children to Anne's world, you can never start to young!

You can find both books on Amazon by clicking here. If you are looking to put a great gift set together, you might consider bundling one of these books with one of the beautiful Anne of Green Gables gift ideas found on this page.

See you
at the bookstore!
Brenda

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Buy Anne Arrives and Anne's Kindred Spirits on Amazon.
Find a page full of beautiful Anne of Green Gables gift ideas.

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Monday, May 2, 2016

Before Green Gables Book Review

Before Green Gables is the highly publicized, much anticipated, authorized prequel to the book, Anne of Green Gables. It was written by Budge Wilson, published in 2008 and read by me right away, that summer.

Anne of Green Gables intrigues me because I grew up with Anne. I read the books, enjoyed the television series and have seen the musical on Prince Edward Island twice. I would love one day to return. When I grew up, Anne's home was only a couple of hours away from mine although when I lived in Nova Scotia, you had to take the ferry to get to the Island.

If you love Anne of Green Gables, you are going to love Before Green Gables.

Before Green Gables was released during the 100th anniversary of Lucy Maud Montgomery's book, Anne of Green Gables. The prequel was somewhat controversial because it was written by a modern day author. However, if you have ever wondered what Anne's life might have been like before she went to Prince Edward Island, you will enjoy this book. The original book only hinted at what Anne's life might have been like and Wilson tells it as she sees it and she does a good job of doing so.

I discovered this short Youtube video, which talks briefly about the book including why and how it was published and author Budge Wilson's initial reluctance to write about such a beloved character, a world renowned Canadian icon. The video also introduces the book Imagining Anne: The Island scrapbooks of L.M. Montgomery by Elizabeth Epperley a book that I have yet to read but which sounds interesting.

Why Should You Read This Book?

Anne of Green Gables and the stories that included her are extremely well loved around the world. Fans have been reading about her adventures in Prince Edward Island for more than a hundred years but until now we've not known how Anne Shirley came to be in Avonlea. For those who have read Anne of Green Gables, it answers questions. For those who have not read the books by L.M. Montgomery, it is a good story and introduction to Canada's most famous redhead. I can guarantee that once you have read this book you will want to read Anne of Green Gables.

Who Is Budge Wilson?

Budge Wilson is the author of Before Green Gables of course but before she wrote this story, she was already a well-known Canadian author. She's a Nova Scotian and she has more than 30 books to her name. For those books, she has received 25 awards that include but are not limited to a number of Canadian Children's Book Centre "Our Choice" awards, a first in a CBC Literary Competition, a City of Dartmouth Book Award, a Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book Award and more.

Would I Recommend This Book?

Yes, YES, yes. I definitely would. It is an easy read that harkens back to a simpler time but more importantly that ties into a very important children's book, Anne of Green Gables. A reviewer at the Washington Post said, "The back story we knew just in passing takes on a rich, real life of its own full of credible period detail. I was rapt." I agree and I was rapt, too. Fans won't want to miss Before Green Gables to find out what Budge Wilson imagined as Anne's life before P.E.I. The estate of L.M. Montgomery, who commissioned this book, approved, too.

Are you a fan of Anne of Green Gables? Have you read this book? If so, what did you think of it? You can learn more about or order your copy of Before Green Gables on Amazon by clicking right here.

Happy Reading!
Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

Monday, January 25, 2016

Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning Book Review

Anne of Green Gables New Beginning Book Review

In the book Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning, the war in Europe is winding down and Anne Shirley is a middle-aged writer returning to the island for a visit. Without thinking about it, she agrees to create a play to be performed during the White Sand Hotel's summer season. However, she admits that the play is just one way to try NOT to think about the recent issues - like her missing son - in her life. She discovers a secret at Green Gables which proves to be a distraction of another sort and she must look at suppressed memories and troubled years at the same time as she tries to write the play. She learns about her parents, her quest for kindred spirits and about her imagination.

Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning is the unauthorized prequel to the book and movie, Anne of Green Gables. The book was adapted from Kevin Sullivan's televised screenplay which aired in October, 2008. Only recently did I discover that this book was available. I had heard and seen the television movie. The book seems to have been rather low-key and I am guessing you may have missed it, like I did.

Click here to order your copy of Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning from Amazon.

Why Should You Read This Book?

Kevin Sullivan takes us where L.M. Montgomery did not...to the time in Anne Shirley's life before she was sent to Prince Edward Island. If you are a fan of this famous fictional character, you must be curious about Anne's life before she arrived on the Island. You will also want to check out the authorized prequel, Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson.

Hannah Endicott-Douglas as Anne Shirley in A New Beginning.

Who Is Kevin Sullivan?

Kevin Sullivan is the writer, director and film producer of this story, Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning. He is, however, very well known for his very popular, family-friendly period movies and televison shows, like the original Anne of Green Gables movie series, The Piano Man's Daughter, Road To Avonlea and Wind At My Back. He has won hundreds of awards, which include three Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, a Prix Jeunesse and four Cable Ace Awards. He is also an author and his writings include Beyond Green Gables and Anne of Green Gables: The Official Movie Adaptation.

If you are interested in reading Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning you can find it on Amazon here. When you've finished reading the book, you might want to watch the movie, which was originally broadcast in Canada in October, 2008. You can find it on DVD right here. They're nicely priced now so gifting them would make a lovely and affordable gift idea.

Happy Reading!
Brenda

Monday, December 7, 2015

Controversial Anne of Green Gables Book Cover Review

What Did You Think of The Controversial Anne of Green Gables Book Cover?

In 2012 a company self-published a three-in-one Anne of Green Gables boxed book set and radically changed the image on the cover from that of the red headed, freckly 10-year old girl we have come to know and love as Anne Shirley to well, an older blue-eyed blonde, whose pose has been called sexy, sultry, a travesty. You can see the image from that cover here.

Check out the controversial Anne of Green Gables book cover. What were they thinking?

Have a look at the cover artwork that appeared on those books and let us know what you think. Was it appropriate that Anne Shirley was modernized in this way or should the publishers have stayed with a more typical, period-appropriate version of Anne. Does it even matter? What do you think?

Why Were They Allowed To Use Provocative Pictures On The Cover of Anne of Green Gables?

The first question that entered my mind when I heard of these new covers was how was the publisher able to get away with making Anne of Green Gables so provocative? I guessed that the book must have fallen into the public domain and, according to online sources that is, indeed the case. Public domain, by the way, means that the owner's copyright has expired and the work is free for others to use as they wish.

Fans Upset About New Anne of Green Gables Covers

The controversial Anne of Green Gables book cover customer review stats.

Life long fans of Anne of Green Gables were naturally extremely upset about Anne's new look. Reviewers were clearly horrified by the cover as is reflected in the numbers recorded in this screenshot on February 13, 2013 that shows 392 one-star reviews. I believe those reviewers were really rating the cover and not the stories, which most Anne fans love. It is noteworthy that the controversial cover was pulled not long after it was released in response to the uproar.

The Anne of Green Gables Three-in-One Boxed Set

The Anne of Green Gables three-in-one boxed set includes three of Lucy Maud Montgomery's books: Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea and Anne of the Island and was published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. Shown here is the cover that was issued to replace the controversial one.

What Do You Think of the Controversial Cover?

If you have been wanting to have your say about the controversial Anne of Green Gables book cover, here's your chance. Let us all know what you think by leaving a comment in the comments box.

See you
in the book aisle!
Brenda

More Anne of Green Gables Reading:

Discover Anne of Green Gables in my eBay store.

Before Green Gables Book Review
Before Green Gables is the highly publicized, much anticipated, authorized prequel to the book, Anne of Green Gables written by Budge Wilson, published in 2008 and read by me right away, that summer.

Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning
In the book Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning, the war in Europe is winding down and Anne Shirley was a middle-aged writer returning to the island for a visit.

Anne of Green Gables on Pinterest

Author's Note: Previously published elsewhere in 2012.

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