Publication Sequence of the Anne of Green Gables Series

It might surprise you that L.M. Montgomery did not write the eight novels of the Anne of Green Gables series in the order we generally read them today.

Introducing Anne Shirley

L.M. Montgomery introduced Anne Shirley to the world when she published Anne of Green Gables in 1908. Its sequel Anne of Avonlea followed shortly thereafter in 1909. After completing these first two novels about Anne Shirley, Montgomery focused on publishing other novels and short story collections before revisiting Anne.

Anne Shirley Grows Up

Between 1915 and 1921, L.M. Montgomery wrote another four books about Anne Shirley and Anne's children. Anne of the Island (1915) tells the story of Anne's college years, Anne’s House of Dreams (1917) begins with Anne's wedding and describes the early years of Anne's marriage to Gilbert Blythe, Rainbow Valley (1919) tells the stories of Anne Blythe's young children, and Rilla of Ingleside (1921) focuses on Anne Blythe's youngest daughter Rilla Blythe.

Revisiting Anne Shirley

Following a long gap of 15 years, L.M. Montgomery revisited a younger version of Anne Shirley and wrote about her years as a high school principal in Anne of Windy Poplars (1936). Today, this novel is considered Book 4 of the Anne of Green Gables series if we read the novels in the chronological order of Anne’s life. The storyline of Anne of Windy Poplars falls between Anne of the Island (1915) and Anne’s House of Dreams (1917).

Returning to Anne

Thirty-one years after publishing Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery wrote Anne of Ingleside in 1939. According to the timeline of Anne’s life, Anne of Ingleside is considered Book 6. Its storyline falls between Anne’s House of Dreams (1917) and Rainbow Valley (1919), both of which were written 20 years earlier.

What order were the Anne of Green Gables books published in?

In summary, here is the publication sequence of the Anne of Green Gables novels. The order we generally read the books in today is listed to the right.

Publication Sequence	Chronology of Anne's Life
1) Anne of Green Gables (1908)	Book 1
2) Anne of Avonlea (1909)	Book 2
3) Anne of the Island (1915)	Book 3
4) Anne's House of Dreams (1917)	Book 5
5) Rainbow Valley (1919)	Book 7
6) Rilla of Ingleside (1921)	Book 8
7) Anne of Windy Poplars (1936)	Book 4
8) Anne of Ingleside (1939)	Book 6

Have you ever read the books in order by their publication dates, or have you always read the novels in the chronological order of Anne Shirley’s life? What are your thoughts on reading the novels of the Anne of Green Gables series in different orders?

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Created September 1, 1999. Last updated April 28, 2022.
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Who is Anne Shirley?

Anne Shirley is a character first introduced to the world in the 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. When we first meet Anne, she is an eleven-year-old girl with a vivid imagination, talkative disposition, and bewitching personality.

Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert are surprised by Anne's arrival in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. The Cuthbert siblings had planned to adopt a young boy to help Matthew with the farm at Green Gables, but mistakenly they are sent a girl. Fortunately, Anne wins both Matthew and Marilla over, and the Cuthberts adopt Anne giving her a home at Green Gables.

Image Credit:
Anne of Green Gables book cover featuring artwork by Ben Stahl.

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Created July 15, 1999. Last updated March 8, 2021.
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Marilla of Green Gables

Marilla of Green Gables: A Novel by Sarah McCoy was published in October 2018 by William Morrow Paperbacks, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. This work of historical fiction expands the world of Anne of Green Gables to tell the backstory of Marilla Cuthbert. Did you ever wonder about her early life and romance with John Blythe? Anne Shirley was curious, and I'm sure many readers of Anne of Green Gables were too.

Here is the description of the book from HarperCollins Publishers:

A bold, heartfelt tale of life at Green Gables . . . before Anne: A marvelously entertaining and moving historical novel, set in rural Prince Edward Island in the nineteenth century, that imagines the young life of spinster Marilla Cuthbert, and the choices that will open her life to the possibility of heartbreak—and unimaginable greatness.

Plucky and ambitious, Marilla Cuthbert is thirteen years old when her world is turned upside down. Her beloved mother dies in childbirth, and Marilla suddenly must bear the responsibilities of a farm wife: cooking, sewing, keeping house, and overseeing the day-to-day life of Green Gables with her brother, Matthew and father, Hugh.

In Avonlea—a small, tight-knit farming town on a remote island—life holds few options for farm girls. Her one connection to the wider world is Aunt Elizabeth "Izzy" Johnson, her mother’s sister, who managed to escape from Avonlea to the bustling city of St. Catharines. An opinionated spinster, Aunt Izzy’s talent as a seamstress has allowed her to build a thriving business and make her own way in the world.

Emboldened by her aunt, Marilla dares to venture beyond the safety of Green Gables and discovers new friends and new opportunities. Joining the Ladies Aid Society, she raises funds for an orphanage run by the Sisters of Charity in nearby Nova Scotia that secretly serves as a way station for runaway slaves from America. Her budding romance with John Blythe, the charming son of a neighbor, offers her a possibility of future happiness—Marilla is in no rush to trade one farm life for another. She soon finds herself caught up in the dangerous work of politics, and abolition—jeopardizing all she cherishes, including her bond with her dearest John Blythe. Now Marilla must face a reckoning between her dreams of making a difference in the wider world and the small-town reality of life at Green Gables.

Reviews

"Great for lovers of Anne who need more Avonlea in their lives. This book was very well done in the style of L.M. Montgomery that I had to remind myself that it wasn't actually written by her..."
― Alison Frenzel, Fabled Bookshop and Cafe, TX

"Fans of the Anne of Green Gables series will rejoice at this warm and heartfelt addition to their world. McCoy’s love for the characters is palpable, and with an insightful eye she illuminates the original Avonlea, while also offering glimpses into the turbulent history of the time."
— Madeline Miller, Author of Circe

Image credit:
Book cover of Marilla of Green Gables.

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Created November 6, 2018. Last updated October 5, 2024.
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Diana of Orchard Slope: A Green Gables Variation

Diana of Orchard Slope: A Green Gables Variation by Libbie Hawker was published by Running Rabbit Editions in December 2017. This work of historical fiction imagines the story of Diana Barry from the Anne of Green Gables series. Hawker explores Diana's relationships, adventures, and deep friendship with Anne Shirley.

Here is the description of the book:

Growing up is never easy. It's even harder when you have a mother who doesn't understand, a nagging sense of self-doubt, and a secret crush you can't confess...not even to your bosom friend.

L. M. Montgomery's timeless classic, Anne of Green Gables, has been reimagined from the perspective of Diana Barry, Anne's best friend and kindred spirit. As Diana and Anne navigate the path from childhood to their grown-up lives, parents, schoolmates, and Anne's well-meaning blunders contrive to keep them apart. But two girls destined for lifelong friendship can't be separated so easily...can they?

With the sweet charm and dreamy atmosphere of Montgomery's original story, Diana of Orchard Slope is sure to delight Anne fans, historical fiction readers, and lovers of the Jane Austen Fanfiction genre.

ISBN-13 978-1947174184

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Book cover of Diana of Orchard Slope: A Green Gables Variation.

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Created January 20, 2018. Last updated November 1, 2024.
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The Blythes are Quoted

The Blythes are Quoted by L.M. Montgomery and edited by Benjamin Lefebvre was published in 2009. L.M. Montgomery had originally prepared her manuscript for this book prior to her death by suicide, but it was not published during her lifetime. In 1974, editors at McGraw-Hill Ryerson restructured the manuscript and published it as The Road to Yesterday. This version of the book included 14 short stories and one poem from the original manuscript, but it did not include L.M. Montgomery's interspersed narrative and conversational sections. The collection also omitted one of the short stories ("Some Fools and a Saint") and most of the poems from the original manuscript.

The Blythes are Quoted restores L.M. Montgomery's original manuscript structure and components. The book is divided into two parts, with the first part occurring before the Great War and the second part taking place after the war. The book depicts several evenings in Anne and Gilbert Blythe's household, during which Anne recites poetry. Following each poem, the Blythes have short episodes of conversation and commentary. Fifteen short stories are interspersed throughout the book. All of the short stories include mentions of the Blythe family or have appearances by members of the family.


The Blythes are Quoted includes the following contents:

Forward by Elizabeth Rollins Epperly

PART ONE

A note from L.M. Montgomery
"The Piper" (poem by Walter Blythe)
"Some Fools and a Saint" (short story)

Twilight at Ingleside (narrative vignette)
"I Wish You" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"The Old Path Round the Shore" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"Guest Room in the Country" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"An Afternoon with Mr. Jenkins" (short story)

The Second Evening
"The New House" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"Robin Vespers" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"Night" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"Man and Woman" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"Retribution" (short story)

The Third Evening
"There Is a House I Love" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"Sea Song" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"The Twins Pretend" (short story)

The Fourth Evening
"To a Desired Friend" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"Fancy’s Fool" (short story)

The Fifth Evening
"Midsummer Day" (poem by Anne Shirley)
"Remembered" (poem by Anne Shirley)
"A Dream Comes True" (short story)

The Sixth Evening
"Farewell to an Old Room" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"The Haunted Room" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"Song of Winter" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"Penelope Struts Her Theories" (short story)

The Seventh Evening
"Success" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"The Gate of Dream" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"An Old Face" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"The Reconciliation" (short story)
"The Cheated Child" (short story)
"Fool’s Errand" (short story)
"The Pot and the Kettle" (short story)


PART TWO

Another Ingleside Twilight
"Interlude" (poem by Walter Blythe)
"Come, Let Us Go" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"A June Day" (poem by Walter Blythe)
"Wind of Autumn" (poem by Walter Blythe)
"The Wild Places" (poem by Walter Blythe)
"For Its Own Sake" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"The Change" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"I Know" (poem by Walter Blythe)
"Brother Beware" (short story)

The Second Evening
"The Wind" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"The Bride Dreams" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"May Song" (poem by Walter Blythe)
"Here Comes the Bride" (short story)

The Third Evening
"The Parting Soul" (poem by Walter Blythe and Anne Blythe)
"My House" (poem by Walter Blythe)
"Memories" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"A Commonplace Woman" (short story)

The Fourth Evening
"Canadian Twilight" (poem by Walter Blythe)
"Oh, We Will Walk with Spring Today" (poem by Walter Blythe)
"Grief" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"The Room" (poem by Anne Blythe)
"The Road to Yesterday" (short story)

Au Revoir
"I Want" (poem by Walter Blythe)
"The Pilgrim" (poem by Walter Blythe)
"Spring Song" (poem by Walter Blythe)
"The Aftermath" (poem by Walter Blythe)

Afterword by Benjamin Lefebvre
A Note on the Text
Acknowledgments
Books by L.M. Montgomery


Image Credits:
Book cover of The Blythes are Quoted.

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Created November 2, 2009. Last updated May 1, 2025.
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Anne of the Island Manga

Anne of the Island (Anne no Aijou or Anne's Love) is the fifth and final book in a five-volume manga adaptation of the Anne of Green Gables series (also known as Akage no An or Red-Haired Anne). The book was published in May 1998 as part of the Kumon Manga Library. Yumiko Igarashi, a Japanese manga artist, adapted and illustrated L.M. Montgomery's novel Anne of the Island as a comic book. The volume was published by Kumon Shuppan and is 205 pages long.

The back cover describes the storyline as follows:

"Anne leaves Prince Edward Island when she goes to study at college. She spends her student days accompanied by her lifelong study mate Gilbert and she makes new friends like Philippa."

Anne of the Island follows the life of Anne Shirley as she leaves her home in Avonlea to attend school at Redmond College. Anne becomes friends with Prissy and Philippa and the three board together. Meanwhile in Avonlea, Anne's childhood friend Ruby Gillis dies of consumption. Anne and Gilbert have been close friends, but when Gilbert proposes to Anne, she rejects him. Anne returns home when her dear friend Diana Barry marries Fred Wright. At Redmond, Anne begins seeing Roy Gardner, but she realizes she does not love him. At the story's conclusion, Gilbert falls ill, and Anne realizes that he is her true love.

ISBN: 9784774301716

Image credit:
Book cover of Anne of the Island.

Created February 16, 2004. Last updated January 29, 2025.
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Anne of Avonlea Manga

Anne of Avonlea (Anne no Seishun or Anne's Youth) is the fourth book in a five-volume manga adaptation of the Anne of Green Gables series (also known as Akage no An or Red-Haired Anne). The book was published in April 1998 as part of the Kumon Manga Library. Yumiko Igarashi, a Japanese manga artist, adapted and illustrated L.M. Montgomery's novel Anne of Avonlea as a comic book. The volume was published by Kumon Shuppan and is 205 pages long.

The back cover describes the storyline as follows:

"Anne is now a teacher at the Avonlea school. The twins Davy and Dora move in at Green Gables to be taken care of and so a new life begins for Anne."

Anne of Avonlea follows the life of Anne Shirley from age 16 to 18. As the story opens, Anne worries about her cow Dolly entering Mr. Harrison's fields. As with most people Anne Shirley meets, she befriends her irate neighbor. Soon after, Anne begins teaching at the Avonlea School, and she experiences challenges as a new teacher. Life at Green Gables changes when Marilla adopts a set of twins, Davy and Dora Keith. Outside of teaching, Anne and her friends work to improve the village of Avonlea through their Avonlea Village Improvement Society (AVIS). The story concludes when Anne's best friend Diana Barry gets engaged.

ISBN: 9784774301709

Image credit:
Book cover of Anne of Avonlea.

Created February 15, 2004. Last updated January 29, 2025.
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Anne of Green Gables Manga, Part 3

Anne of Green Gables (Akage no Anne), Part 3 is the third book in a five-volume manga adaptation of the Anne of Green Gables series. It is the third part of a three-part manga adaptation of the novel Anne of Green Gables and was published in February 1998 as part of the Kumon Manga Library. Yumiko Igarashi, a Japanese manga artist, adapted and illustrated L.M. Montgomery's novel Anne of Green Gables as a comic book. The volume was published by Kumon Shuppan and is 205 pages long.

The story begins with Anne's return to school where she meets her new teacher Miss Stacy. As Christmas approaches, shy Matthew finds a way to delight Anne with a new dress with puffed sleeves as a Christmas gift. Miss Stacey plans for the school to put on a Christmas concert. Marilla and Matthew attend the concert, and after watching Anne's performances, they decide to send her to Queen's Academy.

Although she is growing up, Anne still gets into trouble, dyeing her hair green and nearly drowning while pretending to be the Lily Maid. Gilbert Blythe come to Anne's rescue and tries to apologize and make amends, but Anne refuses to be friends with him.

Anne begins studying for the entrance exam to Queen's and places first on the exam. When Anne leaves Green Gables for Queen's Academy, she misses her family and friends. Likewise, Marilla, Matthew, and Diana miss Anne. Anne's work pays off and she wins the Avery scholarship.

Anne plans to continue her studies, but these plans change when Matthew dies. Anne decides to stay at Green Gables with Marilla and to teach nearby. At the end of the story, Gilbert gives up his teaching position at the Avonlea School so Anne can teach there, and the two finally become friends.

ISBN: 978-4-774301-69-3

Image credit:
Book cover of Anne of Green Gables, Part 3.

Created February 14, 2004. Last updated January 29, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables Manga, Part 2

Anne of Green Gables (Akage no Anne), Part 2 is the second book in a five-volume manga adaptation of the Anne of Green Gables series. It is the second part of a three-part manga adaptation of the novel Anne of Green Gables and was published in January 1998 as part of the Kumon Manga Library. Yumiko Igarashi, a Japanese manga artist best known for illustrating the manga series Candy Candy, adapted and illustrated L.M. Montgomery's novel Anne of Green Gables as a comic book. The volume was published by Kumon Shuppan and is 205 pages in length.

The story begins with Anne's disastrous tea party where she accidentally serves Diana currant wine instead of raspberry cordial. As a consequence, Diana's mother forbids Anne from associating with Diana, but she later changes her mind after Anne saves her daughter Minnie May's life. The plot line also covers Gilbert's recitation at the concert and Mr. Phillip's departure from the Avonlea school. Anne has other mishaps, including serving Mr. and Mrs. Allan a cake flavored with liniment. At the end of the volume, Anne falls off the ridgepole of a roof after taking a dare from Josie Pye.

ISBN: 978-4-774301-68-6

Image credit:
Book cover of Anne of Green Gables, Part 2.

Created February 13, 2004. Last updated January 29, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables Manga, Part 1

Anne of Green Gables (Akage no Anne), Part 1 is the first book in a five-volume manga adaptation of the Anne of Green Gables series. It is the first part of a three-part manga adaptation of the novel Anne of Green Gables and was published in December 1997 as part of the Kumon Manga Library. Yumiko Igarashi, a Japanese manga artist best known for illustrating the manga series Candy Candy, adapted and illustrated L.M. Montgomery's novel Anne of Green Gables as a comic book. The volume was published by Kumon Shuppan and is 205 pages in length.

The storyline begins with Anne's arrival in Avonlea and Marilla and Matthew's decision to raise her at Green Gables. Anne becomes friends with Diana Barry. The plot continues through Anne's early days at the Avonlea School where Gilbert Blythe hurts her feelings and Mr. Phillips punishes Anne.

ISBN: 978-4-774301-67-9

Image credit:
Book cover of Anne of Green Gables, Part 1.

Created February 12, 2004. Last updated January 29, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Easton Press Hardback Anne of Green Gables Series Book Set

I've had a few questions about the availability of hardback volumes of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables series. The only place I have seen a set like this for sale is in the Easton Press catalog. The Easton Press offers high quality book sets, and I'm sure their Anne set is gorgeous.

Their eight-volume Anne of Green Gables keepsake book set is leather bound with 22 karat gold accents and gilded page ends. The books are $109 per volume. Each volume is 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" in size and has a full-color frontispiece by Ben Stahl.

According to the Easton Press website, the books feature:
- Fully bound in genuine leather.
- 22kt gold deeply inlaid on the “hubbed” spine.
- Superbly printed on acid-neutral paper that lasts for generations.
- Sewn pages – not just glued like ordinary books.
- Satin-ribbon page marker.
- Gilded page ends.
- Bound in the USA. Imported materials.
- Rigorous inspection at every stage ensures adherence to our exacting standards.
- Superb craftsmanship and commitment to quality.
- Standard shipping included at no additional charge.

You can order the eight-volume set online at the Easton Press website, or request a catalog and order them by mail. According to their site, the books will ship in 6-10 business days.

Created July 28, 2002. Last updated May 2, 2024
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Anne3.com (Sullivan Entertainment) Forum Keeperships

I originally posted a Keeperships topic at the Anne3.com Forum hosted by Sullivan Entertainment on April 18, 2000. Later, the forum was known as the Avonlea Message Board and the Sullivan Entertainment Message Board. Sadly, the forum is gone now. I miss the days of conversation, friendship, and fun that took place there.

In returning to my old website, I thought I'd repost the keeperships here as an archive. I can't believe that the list is 250 keeperships long. Please note that this keeperships listing is no longer being updated.

Here are a few details on the keeperships list:

Keeperships are special treasures that we protect and care for, and we are called "keepers" of these items. All of our keeperships are from the Anne of Green Gables novels or Sullivan Entertainment Anne of Green Gables miniseries, Road to Avonlea, and other L.M. Montgomery novels and adaptations.

Some keeperships were created using screencaptures from friends at the Anne3.com Forum and from Avonlea Vignettes, Avonlea.hu, Lantern Hill, Anne of Green Gables, the Road to Avonlea Guide, and Megan Follows UK.


The Keeperships List

List Categories:
The Anne of Green Gables Series
The Blue Castle
The Emily of New Moon Series
Jane of Lantern Hill
Kilmeny of the Orchard
Magic for Marigold
The Pat of Silver Bush Series
Road to Avonlea
The Story Girl and The Golden Road
A Tangled Web
General/Other


The Anne Series














































































































































































































































































































































The Blue Castle














The Emily of New Moon Series






















Jane of Lantern Hill






Kilmeny of the Orchard




Magic for Marigold






The Pat of Silver Bush Series






The Story Girl and The Golden Road




Road to Avonlea


















































































































A Tangled Web




General/Other










Created April 18, 2000. Last updated keepership list and images August 8, 2010. Re-posted online December 1, 2021. Last updated intro text December 1, 2021.
© worldofanneshirley.com