Ana of California (2015) by Andi Teran is a modern retelling of L.M. Montgomery's novel Anne of Green Gables. Published on June 30, 2015, the story is 368 pages in length. Teran's tale is about a Mexican-American teen named Ana Cortez is who has been expelled from her fifth foster care home in East Los Angeles. When Ana is given the choice of either living at a group home or entering a trainee program on a farm in Northern California, she takes her chances on the farm. The farm is run by Emmett Garber and his sister Abbie. When Ana arrives, Emmett (like Matthew Cuthbert) is expecting a boy.
Andi Teran is a native of El Paso, Texas. In an interview with Penguin Random House, she spoke about her love of Anne of Green Gables saying, "I was enchanted by Anne’s boldness, conviction, and wild imagination. I so wanted to be in her story club and start one of my own (which, sadly, never happened). Anne was virtually incapable of being anyone other than herself, which is an important message for young people. She was stubborn at times but willing to consider someone else’s opinion. She was also willing to grow and change despite the difficulties of her past, and she had a true compassion for others. It’s both a brave and difficult thing to open up to others, but Anne did it with gusto whatever the hilarious consequences. L. M. Montgomery masterfully created a character that became both a role model and a bosom friend to all of her readers; one that many of us still feel is a friend today." Reflecting on her contemporary retelling, Teran said, "As a mega fan of the original, it was important to me to keep certain iconic scenes, too—not all of them; just a few—and I hope fellow fans enjoy the modern interpretations."
Here is the description of the book from Penguin Random House:
A modern take on the classic coming-of-age novel, inspired by Anne of Green Gables
In the grand tradition of Anne of Green Gables, Bridget Jones’s Diary, and The Three Weissmanns of Westport, Andi Teran’s captivating debut novel offers a contemporary twist on a beloved classic. Fifteen-year-old orphan Ana Cortez has just blown her last chance with a foster family. It’s a group home next—unless she agrees to leave East Los Angeles for a farm trainee program in Northern California.
When she first arrives, Ana can’t tell a tomato plant from a blackberry bush, and Emmett Garber is skeptical that this slight city girl can be any help on his farm. His sister Abbie, however, thinks Ana might be just what they need. Ana comes to love Garber Farm, and even Emmett has to admit that her hard work is an asset. But when she inadvertently stirs up trouble in town, Ana is afraid she might have ruined her last chance at finding a place to belong.
Reviews
"In this modern adaptation of the beloved Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, the red-haired heroine from Nova Scotia has been updated to a curly haired Mexican American teen from East Los Angeles. Fitted with a similar, tragic backstory, Ana has a penchant for getting into scrapes, and her hard-won resilience echoes her predecessor's example. However, in this tale, Ana channels her creativity through art and her appreciation of punk music instead of writing, and the cast of the small town that she gets sent to as part of her road to emancipation is more diverse. Gender-flipped roles and contemporary issues make this a fresh take that even the uninitiated will appreciate. The brother/sister pair who take her in to help with their ailing farm have their own drama, and her love interest (Cole) and best friend (Rye) are troubled teens themselves, adding to the realism that permeates this work. Farm life, social issues, and small minds are threads that young adults will relate to, and Ana's memories of her past life with a loving grandmother and a gang-ridden upbringing will add a level of poignancy. The latter half picks up the pace, and here is where Teran departs from the original story line. Even secondary characters are well-developed, and the food descriptions will make mouths water. Despite some harrowing scenes, Ana's place at Garber Farms is never in doubt. VERDICT A heartwarming homage to a classic with a diverse twist that will be a hit with fans of realistic fiction."
—Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal
"Anne of Green Gables fans will rejoice; newcomers will find a satisfying tale; and Ana’s high jinx will leave both types of readers smiling and asking for more."
–Kirkus Reviews
"Debut fiction author Teran’s contemporary reimagining of Anne of Green Gables brilliantly captures the essence of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic story of a girl who will win your heart with her well-meaning imperfections. Highly recommended."
–Library Journal
"In this modern adaptation of the beloved Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, the red-haired heroine from Nova Scotia has been updated to a curly haired Mexican American teen from East Los Angeles. Fitted with a similar, tragic backstory, Ana has a penchant for getting into scrapes, and her hard-won resilience echoes her predecessor's example. However, in this tale, Ana channels her creativity through art and her appreciation of punk music instead of writing, and the cast of the small town that she gets sent to as part of her road to emancipation is more diverse. Gender-flipped roles and contemporary issues make this a fresh take that even the uninitiated will appreciate. The brother/sister pair who take her in to help with their ailing farm have their own drama, and her love interest (Cole) and best friend (Rye) are troubled teens themselves, adding to the realism that permeates this work. Farm life, social issues, and small minds are threads that young adults will relate to, and Ana's memories of her past life with a loving grandmother and a gang-ridden upbringing will add a level of poignancy. The latter half picks up the pace, and here is where Teran departs from the original story line. Even secondary characters are well-developed, and the food descriptions will make mouths water. Despite some harrowing scenes, Ana's place at Garber Farms is never in doubt. VERDICT A heartwarming homage to a classic with a diverse twist that will be a hit with fans of realistic fiction."
—Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal
"Anne of Green Gables fans will rejoice; newcomers will find a satisfying tale; and Ana’s high jinx will leave both types of readers smiling and asking for more."
–Kirkus Reviews
"Debut fiction author Teran’s contemporary reimagining of Anne of Green Gables brilliantly captures the essence of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic story of a girl who will win your heart with her well-meaning imperfections. Highly recommended."
–Library Journal
ISBN-13: 978-0143126492
Image credit:
Book cover of Ana of California: A Novel.
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Created July 13, 2015. Last updated January 4, 2026.
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