Anne of West Philly: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Anne of Green Gables (Classic Graphic Remix)

Anne of Green Gables with a twist: in this follow-up to Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy and The Secret Garden on 81st Street, this full-color graphic novel moves Anne Shirley to modern-day West Philadelphia, where where she finds new friends, new rivals, and a new family.\nWhen Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert decide to foster a teenage girl for the first time, their lives are changed forever. Their redheaded foster daughter, Anne Shirley, is in search of an exciting life and has decided that West Philly is where she's going to find it. Armed with a big personality and unstoppable creativity, Anne takes her new home by storm as she joins the robotics club, makes new friends in Diana and Gilbert, experiences first love, and turns the ordinary into the extraordinary. But as Anne starts to get comfortable, she discovers one thing she wasn't looking for: a family.\nThis title will be simultaneously available in hardcover.\nFrom School Library Journal\nGr 4–7—A modern and fresh graphic novel adaptation of the beloved Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Thirteen-year-old, red-haired Anne Shirley has been taken in by siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, who are temporarily fostering her while her next-of-kin is located. Hewing very close to the source material, the work introduces best friend Diana, school rival Gilbert, and inspiring teacher Muriel Stacey. The creative and daydreaming protagonist also gets into familiar scrapes—the missing brooch, mistakenly intoxicating Diana, and giving herself a horrendous haircut. However, new additions to the plot are included, such as her interest in robotics and a female love interest, making this a relatable narrative. This is Weir's second outing in the "Classic Graphic Remix," following her Secret Garden adaptation. The full-color panels offer engaging and arresting art; the dynamic design will draw in fans of Raina Telgemeier and Kayla Miller. Anne, Marilla, and Matthew have brown skin, and Diana and Gilbert appear to be white. VERDICT A charming retelling for fans of the classic novel and middle school–themed graphic novels.—Shelley M. Diaz