Anne Dares

Anne Dares is the fifth installment in Kallie George's adaptation of L. M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. The scene featured in this title is a party thrown by Diana Barry, Anne's best friend. Anne had hoped to wear a beautiful dress to the party but had few options. Sooner rather than later, the partygoers start a game of truth or dare, and, although Anne tries not to get involved, she cannot help herself, as is typical. Dared to walk across the very top of the house's roof, Anne knows she must do it; otherwise, "[her] honor is at stake." Anne tries her best, but her nerves get the best of her, and she falls off the roof, luckily in the direction where she is least likely to get hurt. However, she is forced to convalesce at home until she is well enough to return to school, which she does with great spirit and anticipation. But when asked to play a minor part in the Christmas concert, Anne again experiences anxieties and doubts due to her overactive imagination. The kindness of Matthew shines forth once again as he provides Anne with the beautiful dress she once imagined for Diana's party. Her new confidence "made her feel brave" and able to "live up to those puffed sleeves." The concert is a success, and a smiling Anne walks home with Diana.

Staying true to the original text, yet smoothly adapted for a modern audience, George's text corresponds to chapters 23 to 25 of the original work, "Anne Comes to Grief in an Affair of Honor", "Miss Stacy and Her Pupils Get Up a Concert" and "Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves." The adaptation stays true to the original story, specifically in its writing style, turns of phrase, dialogue between characters, and imagery. It, too, is organized into chapters, although eight instead of three, which is necessary for early readers, and George creates suspenseful breaks in the narrative. The author is also skilled at recapping the story very briefly in the initial pages so that reading the four previous volumes is unnecessary. She also explains unusual words, such as "ridgepole", quickly and simply so that young readers will understand and yet be exposed to the language used in the original story. Also appealing to readers is the variety of Halpin’s gorgeous and detailed illustrations peppered throughout the book on every second page. The reader is thrown into both Anne's physical environment through background details and her inner world through her expressive facial features. Anne Dares is another triumph and must-purchase for all children's collections.