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43 of 44 copies available
43 of 44 copies available
When Pollyanna was published in 1913, it became an overnight success. It immediately sold over a million copies as young and old alike fell in love with the little freckled orphan girl and her spirited optimism. Many of Beldingsville's citizens are ill, misguided, and even despairing. The sparkling, ingenuous eleven-year-old who descends upon them with her 'glad game' gives them renewed hope and changes their lives forever. Then unexpected tragedy strikes, and Pollyanna can no longer find the silver lining in any cloud. Can a child's suffering possibly serve any purpose? Author Eleanor Porter wrote, " I have never believed that we ought to deny discomfort and pain and evil: I have merely thought that it is far better to greet the unknown with a cheer." With the added bonus of Barbara Caruso's skillful reading, even adult readers will be challenged to finish the book dry-eyed.
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    • AudioFile Magazine
      It would have been easy to gush through this five hanky classic, but Hannah Gordon presents a realistic, yet warm and human, interpretation of each of the various dour and happy characters. Her narrative style reminds me of the late Elizabeth Montgomery of BEWITCHED as she describes the effect a glad orphan girl has on her maiden aunt's vinegary universe. The book is full of tears and laughter, and Gordon evokes them with small catches in her voice, trembling hesitations and sudden babbles of enthusiasm. She doesn't hit a false note anywhere, a master at her craft. D.W. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
    • School Library Journal

      July 1, 1998
      Gr 7 Up-Unloved and unwanted, orphan Pollyanna Whittier boards an eastbound train to live with her Aunt Polly, a wealthy spinster. Aunt Polly treats the child insensitively, giving her a musty room in the attic and expecting her to keep quiet and stay out of the way. Pollyanna, with her optimistic outlook on life, turns all the lemons thrown her way into lemonade; punishments are viewed as rewards, unfriendly people in town are befriended. Pollyanna's "Glad Game" is soon played by all the people of the town. A terrible accident with a motor car as she is crossing the street finally breaks Pollyanna's spirit. When long-held secrets are finally revealed, even Aunt Polly comes around to warming up not only to her niece, but to a relationship she had long denied herself. This recording is based on the book by Eleanor H. Porter, originally published in 1913. It remains a charming, albeit old-fashioned, classic. Barbara Caruso's narration is faithful to the text, with a few minor changes sprinkled throughout. Caruso makes use of vocal inflections to differentiate characters. There is no background music or sound effects to distract listeners. Comparable in quality to Pollyanna read by S. Patricia Bailey (Blackstone Audiobooks, 1996), this recording is preferable to the same title available from Chivers (1995).-Stephanie Bange, Dayton & Montgomery County Public Library, OH

      Copyright 1998 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      A sincere thank you to the talented Laurel Lefkow for presenting this splendid 1913 classic in such a delightful manner that even somewhat jaded contemporary listeners will be enchanted. Pollyanna's sweetly innocent personality and her "glad game" of seeing the best in every situation are in stark contrast to the personalities of her sour and bitter Aunt Polly and even the maid, Nancy, who befriends Pollyanna during her sad early days. Each of these very different characters is warmly rendered by Lefkow. When Pollyanna is badly injured, her beliefs are challenged, a turn of events that brings an element of realism to this old-fashioned story. An excellent insert provides detailed notes about the book. S.G.B. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      In this latest in the Classic Starts series, narrator Rebecca K. Reynolds zestfully introduces 11-year-old newly orphaned Pollyanna Whittier after her dour Aunt Polly reluctantly offers her a home in Vermont. Listeners will join Pollyanna, who always sees the best in every situation (including her prickly Aunt Polly), as she explores her new town and meets her neighbors. Reynolds deftly presents compassionate servant Nancy, who guides and advises Pollyanna, and the townsfolk who are touched and cheered by the sparkling and optimistic youngster. When Pollyanna is seriously injured after being hit by a car, several events from Aunt Polly's painful past are resolved. It's uplifting to notice the changes in Aunt Polly as her temperament softens. Listeners of all ages will enjoy meeting Pollyanna. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

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  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:870
  • Text Difficulty:4-5

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