You can always find something to be glad about. At least that is Pollyanna Whittier's philosophy. And it's a philosophy that impacts an entire town.
Pollyanna is the daughter of a poor Western pastor. After her mother died, the Ladies Aid tried to teach her the basics of housekeeping. Her father, however, teaches Pollyanna her most valuable lesson: how to be glad in the worse circumstances. Father and daughter play "the game" - until Rev. Whittier joins his wife in death, and Pollyanna becomes an orphan.
The Ladies Aid sends Pollyanna to her mother's younger sister, Miss Polly who lives in Beldingsville, Vermont. Eager and excited, Pollyanna journeys to Beldingsville. But Miss Polly is not enthusiastic or "glad" about this sudden addition to her household. Passionate only about her duty, Miss Polly considers all the drawbacks of having a child live with her.
When Pollyanna arrives, Miss Polly sends Nancy, her maid, to meet the girl at the train station. Nancy knows the cool welcome awaiting Pollyanna. She was the one to clean the poorly furnished attic room for the little girl, when there are many lovely rooms quite vacant in other parts of the house. Pollyanna's bright spirit is not daunted by the large mansion and its strict mistress, even when Miss Polly forbids her from mentioning her father.
Nancy befriends Pollyanna, and becomes the first to learn "the game." Others who live in Beldingsville soon learn to appreciate the friendly, sweet child. Pollyanna's friends include Mrs. Snow, a cranky invalid, Mr. Pendleton, the silent recluse, Jimmy Bean, an orphan looking for a home, and Dr. Chilton, Mr. Pendleton's amiable physician. She wins the affections of everyone she meets, touching many lives. Only Miss Polly appears indifferent and uncaring.
In her mother's old haunts, Pollyanna finds ghosts of love lost, festering grudges, and Nancy says Mr. Pendleton even has a skeleton in his closet! But the secrets cannot long withstand the optimistic Pollyanna, who knows how to bring the best out of everyone.
Do you know how to be glad for crutches when you wanted a doll? Or how you can be glad you have a broken leg? Pollyanna knows. But the game is put to the ultimate test one day. Will it work?
Come play the game with Pollyanna, a child full of unconditional love and an unstoppable spirit.
Pollyanna is the daughter of a poor Western pastor. After her mother died, the Ladies Aid tried to teach her the basics of housekeeping. Her father, however, teaches Pollyanna her most valuable lesson: how to be glad in the worse circumstances. Father and daughter play "the game" - until Rev. Whittier joins his wife in death, and Pollyanna becomes an orphan.
The Ladies Aid sends Pollyanna to her mother's younger sister, Miss Polly who lives in Beldingsville, Vermont. Eager and excited, Pollyanna journeys to Beldingsville. But Miss Polly is not enthusiastic or "glad" about this sudden addition to her household. Passionate only about her duty, Miss Polly considers all the drawbacks of having a child live with her.
When Pollyanna arrives, Miss Polly sends Nancy, her maid, to meet the girl at the train station. Nancy knows the cool welcome awaiting Pollyanna. She was the one to clean the poorly furnished attic room for the little girl, when there are many lovely rooms quite vacant in other parts of the house. Pollyanna's bright spirit is not daunted by the large mansion and its strict mistress, even when Miss Polly forbids her from mentioning her father.
Nancy befriends Pollyanna, and becomes the first to learn "the game." Others who live in Beldingsville soon learn to appreciate the friendly, sweet child. Pollyanna's friends include Mrs. Snow, a cranky invalid, Mr. Pendleton, the silent recluse, Jimmy Bean, an orphan looking for a home, and Dr. Chilton, Mr. Pendleton's amiable physician. She wins the affections of everyone she meets, touching many lives. Only Miss Polly appears indifferent and uncaring.
In her mother's old haunts, Pollyanna finds ghosts of love lost, festering grudges, and Nancy says Mr. Pendleton even has a skeleton in his closet! But the secrets cannot long withstand the optimistic Pollyanna, who knows how to bring the best out of everyone.
Do you know how to be glad for crutches when you wanted a doll? Or how you can be glad you have a broken leg? Pollyanna knows. But the game is put to the ultimate test one day. Will it work?
Come play the game with Pollyanna, a child full of unconditional love and an unstoppable spirit.
It is easy to understand why this book is a classic. I read it for the first time when I was eight, and seven years later I still enjoy it. Pollyanna herself is truly heartwarming, even though at times she seems a little too good to be true. The other characters are also a little stereotyped, but they have been so well described and woven into the story that it doesn't matter so much.
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