From Anna
From Anna
Then Frau Schmidt had called her to the front to take her turn reciting what she had learned. The teacher used a pointer to spear letters on the blackboard.
“What is this, Anna?” she asked.
Anna did not know. She could not even see it clearly. She stood tongue-tied with shame and didn’t make a sound.
“Aren’t you Anna Solden?” the teacher asked.
Anna nodded, still unable to speak.
“The sister of Rudolf and Gretchen and the twins?”
Anna nodded again. Her cheeks burned.
“Stand up straight, child, and answer properly. You should say, ‘Yes, Frau Schmidt.’”
Somehow Anna straightened.
“Yes, Frau Schmidt,” she whispered.
For many, Jean Little (1932-2020) is one of Canada’s most iconic children’s book creators. Her novels, picture books, poetry, short stories, and memoirs offer readers loving families; children struggling with disabilities, adoption, or foster placements; and outsiders searching for belonging. This year, one of her most popular titles, From Anna, is being rereleased to honour its 50th anniversary of publication.
The youngest of five siblings, nine-year-old Anna lives with her parents in Frankfort, Germany, in 1932. She is clumsy, has trouble learning, and is frequently teased by her older brothers and sisters. Although the family is not directly targeted by Hitler’s edicts, Anna’s father is uncomfortable with Nazi politics, and, when his brother Karl passes away, the entire Solden family immigrates to Canada to take over Karl’s grocery store. Soon after the family arrives in Canada, a doctor discovers Anna’s problem: her eyesight is so poor that she will require special classes for the vision impaired. And although Anna at first resists this special school, she blossoms in this supportive environment.
As always when an older title is rereleased, questions arise about its appropriateness and ability to connect with modern audiences. Is it still relevant today? Happily, the answer is yes. This book was historical fiction when first published, and it still accurately reflects society’s past treatment of the differently abled, in terms of teasing from peers, assumptions that the disabled person is not intelligent or able, and the consensus that not much can be expected of these children. Anna’s frustrations with her own difficulties (and the resulting “prickliness” she expresses with her family) is also truthfully depicted, and readers will appreciate the fact that Anna’s challenge is one Little shared.
This new edition of From Anna includes Joan Sandin’s original black and white illustrations, a forward by Katherine Paterson, an afterword by Little, discussion questions, and activities, making this a worthy addition or replacement for school and public libraries.
Kay Weisman is a former youth services librarian at West Vancouver Memorial Library and the author of If You Want to Visit a Sea Garden. (www.cmreviews.ca/node/1693)