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319th out of 757 books
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3,438 voters
Pollyanna (Pollyanna #1)
The popular story of orphaned Pollyanna and the 'glad game'. As soon as Pollyanna arrives in Beldingsville to live with her strict and dutiful maiden aunt, she begins to brighten up everybody's life. The 'glad game' she plays, of finding a silver lining in every cloud, transforms the sick, the lonely and the plain miserable - until one day something so terrible happens tha...more
Paperback, Complete and Unabridged, 288 pages
Published
February 1st 1996
by Puffin
(first published 1912)
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Pollyanna is the story a young, optimistic girl who is tragically orphaned, sent to live with her grumpy Aunt, and ends up changing a town’s point of view through her sunny disposition. It’s wildly inspirational. In fact, it’s probably the idea bud for books like The Power of Positive Thinking.
Pollyanna, the eternal optimist, plays the ‘glad game’ where she always tries to find something to be glad about, no matter how challenging. And everyone who comes into contact with Pollyanna is happily in...more
Pollyanna, the eternal optimist, plays the ‘glad game’ where she always tries to find something to be glad about, no matter how challenging. And everyone who comes into contact with Pollyanna is happily in...more
11 likes · like · see review
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Mar 18, 2012
Helen
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Helen by:
my Mom
Pollyanna, read when I was in elementary school, is one of the books that helped to form my character. The concept of looking for the good in everything, even in events or people that showed no obvious goodness appeared, to my young mind, both a good idea and a challenge. First in imitation and later as habit I began to "look for the good."
Recently I received a copy of a college application essay a young friend had written about me, an influential person in her life. The characteristic in me...more
Recently I received a copy of a college application essay a young friend had written about me, an influential person in her life. The characteristic in me...more
So many editions they had to re-use ISBNs (the one I read this time is not the one pictured). I read some other edition as a child, and when I saw a copy in the library I grabbed it. I'm not surprised - despite the mockings of 'hip' cynics, it's a charmer. I've tried to apply the idea of The Glad Game all my life, and when I do, I do feel better. And I feel like I've always known that "Just breathing isn't living!" but that's a quote from the book, so I probably got it from Pollyanna and Porter....more
Oct 14, 2010
Mia Queen
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
classic,
kids-just-wanna-have-some-fun
Inilah sebabnya kenapa saya suka membaca cerita klasik. Kisahnya indah, ga neko-neko, mungkin ada sedikit masalah, klimaks yang secukupnya (ga bikin hati dag dig dug)dan ending pas.
Hati hangat dengan senyum simpul di bibir saya setelah membaca halaman terakhir Pollyanna membuat saya memberikan bintang 5 untuk buku ini.
Kisahnya sih standar, gabungan antara Anne of Green Gables dan A Little Princess, berkisah tentang anak perempuan yatim piatu yang diasuh oleh kerabatnya yang kersa hati, judes da...more
Hati hangat dengan senyum simpul di bibir saya setelah membaca halaman terakhir Pollyanna membuat saya memberikan bintang 5 untuk buku ini.
Kisahnya sih standar, gabungan antara Anne of Green Gables dan A Little Princess, berkisah tentang anak perempuan yatim piatu yang diasuh oleh kerabatnya yang kersa hati, judes da...more
3 likes · like · see review
Mar 31, 2008
Carrie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of classic children's literature
Shelves:
kidlit
When did I first read Pollyanna? I couldn't say. This little book is a perennial favorite. It's been a few years since I picked it up and this time I found that my memory had deceived me again. What you remember is a story about a girl who wants everyone to be glad, and who gets a happy ending at last. What you get is a story about an orphaned girl sent to a loveless home who reaches out to the troubled people of a small town, resulting in a wide variety of pathetic tales of woe and loss. Pollya...more
May 25, 2008
Tiffany
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-a-louds-to-my-children
Wow! What have I been missing all these years! As a child I grew up on the Disney movie of "Pollyanna" and thought it was just wonderful. I was never introduced to the "classics" or even realized that Pollyanna was a book turned into a movie. When I sat down with my chidlren to read this story I THOUGHT I knew what I was reading to them, but boy was I wrong!! It soon became apparent that this was another true o the test of time classics that takes you through all the emotions of a true clssic! M...more
12 likes · like · see review
Jun 08, 2012
Ania
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anne of Green Gables Fans
Recommended to Ania by:
goodreads
Shelves:
anna-banana
I was thoroughly surprised how much I enjoyed Pollyanna, and to think I was never going to read this book! The fact is Pollyanna has a bit of a bad reputation... stemming quite possibly from the general cynicism of today's day and age.
It's true that there are some shortcomings to this novel.
1) Quite a big chunk of the book seems to be just like Anne of Green Gables and in parts Anne of Avonlea (the disgruntled neighbour part). It starts off just like the Anne books do, and Pollyanna is just as...more
It's true that there are some shortcomings to this novel.
1) Quite a big chunk of the book seems to be just like Anne of Green Gables and in parts Anne of Avonlea (the disgruntled neighbour part). It starts off just like the Anne books do, and Pollyanna is just as...more
Normally I hate syrupy characters but for some strange reason Pollyanna works for me. Children usually see the best in people and that's I guess why Pollyanna's story is so fun and touching.
Love the movies, love the idea of the story, but wasn't a huge fan of the book itself. That said, there were passages that I adored and "sayings" that were wonderful.
3 likes · like · see review
Oct 20, 2009
Evelyn
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone
Recommended to Evelyn by:
my grandmother
Shelves:
own
I totally and completely understand why there are people who seriously disliked this book. It is somewhat...the sort of thing that Disney wouldn't have to change a thing about to make into one of their animated films. BUT, the reason I liked this book is because it gives you a really different view of the world. I am not exactly an optimist, personally, but I sort of respect everyone who can keep themselves hopeful.
The girl described in this book, Pollyanna, is what can be called a "blind" opti...more
The girl described in this book, Pollyanna, is what can be called a "blind" opti...more
Eleonora H. Portere ir amerikāņu rakstniece, kuras mūžs ildzis no 1868. gada līdz 1920. gadam. Viņa ir daudzu sentimentālu romānu autore, taču neviens no tiem nav tik populārs, kā „Pollianna”, un viņa sen jau būtu aizmirsta, ja šī grāmata 1913. gadā nebūtu iznākusi, kā arī 1915. gadā – tās turpinājums. Tā kļuvusi par vienu no lasītākajām grāmatām gan Amerikiā, gan arī citās valstīs. „Polliannu” latviešu valodā tulkojusi Ina Āboliņa un tā pirmais izdevums bija 1993. gadā. Tā ir divreiz ekranizēt...more
Nov 29, 2012
Gabrielle
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
november-reads,
classical-fiction
Pollyanna has an extraordinary gift. She had the gift to "always be glad" in everything she does and had been done to. But when drastic catastrophes change the course of her life, including a change in guardianship, will Pollyanna crack under the pressure? Read this amazing classical novel to find out how Pollyanna changes the whole town and her own life.
I picked up this novel because I have always been a fan of classical children's novels such as My Little Princess, The Secret Garden and Black...more
I picked up this novel because I have always been a fan of classical children's novels such as My Little Princess, The Secret Garden and Black...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
After reading the Hunger Games trilogy, followed by somber nonfiction, I felt ready to read something good. Not good as in well-reviewed literature, but something good as in 'happy' literature. Eleanor Porter's Pollyanna did not disappoint.
You've probably heard someone called, been called, or possibly (hopefully not) called someone a Pollyanna. It's someone who is considered impossibly optimistic in the worst possible circumstances. Such people are thought to be annoying, naive, even exasperatin...more
You've probably heard someone called, been called, or possibly (hopefully not) called someone a Pollyanna. It's someone who is considered impossibly optimistic in the worst possible circumstances. Such people are thought to be annoying, naive, even exasperatin...more
I have clearly lived under a rock (not that this is news). I have heard my mom reference Pollyanna about a million times but until a couple of weeks ago didn't realize she was a book character. I'm not sure where I thought my mom (and others) got that name, but I'm not too swift on the uptake.
I really wanted to hate this book, and frankly there are things to hate. But its impossible to hate it as a whole. It's overly simplistic, ridiculously sweet and still touching. I think you'd have to be de...more
I really wanted to hate this book, and frankly there are things to hate. But its impossible to hate it as a whole. It's overly simplistic, ridiculously sweet and still touching. I think you'd have to be de...more
I remember the film from my childhood but I never actually read the book. I wished I had - it is a delightful read that just makes you 'glad' to be alive. What I love about these classic children's books are the morals they deliver throughout the story in a very unsubtle way - something that you dont find very often in todays childrens books - I can only assume that a direct unsubtle moral does nothing nowadays so they deliver it in a the form of a vampire or a wizard!? :s
Gladness for life.......more
Gladness for life.......more
I had seen the movie years ago but never realised there was even a book until last week! I have to say that I truly loved the book as much as the film. 'Pollyanna' is the story of an orphan girl who moves to a small town in America to live with her wealthy Aunt Polly. Her philosophy of using the 'Glad Game' to see the positive in any negative situation has a transforming effect on many of her neighbours and the residents of the town. Her optimistic attitude isn't received very well at first but...more
1 like · like · see review
I write this review several days after the passing of my grandfather, whom, difficult and obstinate at times was always generous and loving with all of his grandchildren. At this particular moment I am rather "stuck" on the small island he lived in for the majority of his life, in a small house atop a canyon... it is here that I began to crave something to read that should take me far away and into another time. On my phones e-book list I found, most happily, Pollyanna. For those of us who love...more
Halo teman semua, perkenalkan, namaku Pollyanna Whittier. Usiaku 11 tahun. Izinkan aku bercerita tentang diriku ya :) mungkin kalian kaget karena tiba-tiba mendapati aku berceloteh di rumahnya Yayan ini. Maaf ya kalo mengagetkan ^^ aku mendapatkan izin khusus dari Yayan nih. Katanya, aku boleh bercerita tentang diriku. ”Kamu boleh narsis dan ceritakan semua tentang dirimu, Polly...” sahut Yayan.
Wah senangnya bisa berkenalan dengan teman-teman semua. Begini, aku mau bercerita tentang kehidupanku....more
Wah senangnya bisa berkenalan dengan teman-teman semua. Begini, aku mau bercerita tentang kehidupanku....more
Apr 23, 2013
Gale
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
turn-of-the-century,
children-s-classics
“The Cheerful Cure”
Newly orphaned at 11 young Pollyanna is sent to vile with a stern relative in a distant town. Aunt Polly forbids her even to mention her dead father’s name, treating her like an unwanted, poor relation—which is precisely what she is. At least Nancy, the kindly housekeeper, treats the lonely child with compassion. But Pollyanna had learned from her father the trick of making lemonade out of life’s lemons; she tries to be cheerful despite drawbacks and interactions with mean o...more
Newly orphaned at 11 young Pollyanna is sent to vile with a stern relative in a distant town. Aunt Polly forbids her even to mention her dead father’s name, treating her like an unwanted, poor relation—which is precisely what she is. At least Nancy, the kindly housekeeper, treats the lonely child with compassion. But Pollyanna had learned from her father the trick of making lemonade out of life’s lemons; she tries to be cheerful despite drawbacks and interactions with mean o...more
THE SUN WILL COME OUT TOMORROW!
“You see, when you’re hunting for the glad things, you sort of forget the other kind…”—page 28
I can’t count the times, over the years, I was accused—and it was always posed as an accusation—of being: ‘an incurable Pollyanna’. Now, that I’ve finally gone to the source and read Eleanor H. Porter’s delightful children’s classic of that title, ‘Pollyanna,’ I can only plead, ‘Guilty as charged!’ And be doubly glad for the compliment my accusers never knew they were giv...more
“You see, when you’re hunting for the glad things, you sort of forget the other kind…”—page 28
I can’t count the times, over the years, I was accused—and it was always posed as an accusation—of being: ‘an incurable Pollyanna’. Now, that I’ve finally gone to the source and read Eleanor H. Porter’s delightful children’s classic of that title, ‘Pollyanna,’ I can only plead, ‘Guilty as charged!’ And be doubly glad for the compliment my accusers never knew they were giv...more
Pollyanna gets a bad rap in this jaded age. Written in 1913, this is the story of an orphaned little girl who makes the best of her life experiences, always looking for something good to be had of a challenging situation. Pollyanna lost her mother at an early age, and then her missionary father a few years later. As a family, they themselves lived a life of privation, while ministering to those less well off.
Upon the death of her father, Pollyanna is sent to live with her Aunt Polly, who--as she...more
Upon the death of her father, Pollyanna is sent to live with her Aunt Polly, who--as she...more
This was a surprisingly good book. Pollyanna is not an insipid character. Rather, she is a strong, young woman who makes a game of finding silver linings in gray clouds. But more importantly, by her irrepressibly, she brings a town full of repressed, early 20th-century Yankees, into people who begin to find themselves able to "count their blessings" (as my grandmother might say it). Pollyanna has a glad game. When something happens, she ponders what is it about that happening for which one can b...more
We used to watch this movie as kids all the time and I loved it. The book is simply adorable. It's amazingly wonderful how many things can be found to be glad about! My favorite quote:
"What men and women need is encouragement. Their natural resisting powers should be strengthened, not weakened.... Instead of always harping on a man's faults, tell him of his virtues. Try to pull him out of his rut of bad habits. Hold up to him his better self, his REAL self that can dar and do and win out!... The...more
"What men and women need is encouragement. Their natural resisting powers should be strengthened, not weakened.... Instead of always harping on a man's faults, tell him of his virtues. Try to pull him out of his rut of bad habits. Hold up to him his better self, his REAL self that can dar and do and win out!... The...more
This book is a story about Pollyanna - a young girl who has been orphaned and is living with her strict, maiden aunt. Pollyanna plays the "Glad Game" and looks for the good, even in bad situations. It is about her effect on the people in her life, and how they support her when she is badly injured. This is a great book for a younger child who is an accomplished reader because it is an intricate story without controversial topics that you would want to avoid.
I would have to say this book helped s...more
I would have to say this book helped s...more
Devo ammettere che questo genere di libro è uno dei miei preferiti. I bambini protagonisti di questi libri scritti anni fa sono quasi sempre sicuramente migliori dei protagonisti dei giorni nostri che non hanno quasi mai il coraggio giusto per affrontare le varie situazioni. Comunque sia, all'inizio sono stata un pò perplessa del libro Pollyanna, lo trovavo troppo semplicistico e non capivo dove ' voleva andare a parare', ma adesso sono felice di non aver chiuso il libro perchè lentamente, Elean...more
There are many classics that I did not read as a child. Treasure Island, Frankenstein, Robinson Crusoe, Around the World in 80 Days, and Little Women are but a few.
However, I vow to systematically read these treasures in the next few months. Today I read Pollyanna.
Published in 1913, this gem stands the test of time. It is delightfully sappy, corny and wonderfully filled with old fashioned fun.
Pollyanna is an orphan whose father left her with the wonderful gift of optimism and the ability to find...more
However, I vow to systematically read these treasures in the next few months. Today I read Pollyanna.
Published in 1913, this gem stands the test of time. It is delightfully sappy, corny and wonderfully filled with old fashioned fun.
Pollyanna is an orphan whose father left her with the wonderful gift of optimism and the ability to find...more
Feb 13, 2011
Elizabeth
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2011,
children-s-fiction
I was enchanted by Pollyanna. In the last ten years, I have become acquainted with the film adaptation and I loved it from the first time I saw it. It seems that I feel the same way about the book now. Yes, there are many glad moments with glad people, but it's a warm remembrance of the innocence of childhood. (Although, the movie is different from the book, I didn't find the differences so remarkable that they were a hindrance. The movie in it's spirit is still the same as the book.)
Pollyanna...more
Pollyanna...more
Monday morning I had some unhappy news and I was feeling like crawling back into bed and just being depressed. But, I didn't want to let my kids down so I went on Librivox.org to find an audiobook to which we could listen. I browsed through the children's books and found Pollyanna and decided that might be one to cheer me up. I had seen the movie many times before and so I knew the basic plot.
Anyway, it turned out to be one of the most wonderful books I've ever read (or listened to). I cried al...more
Anyway, it turned out to be one of the most wonderful books I've ever read (or listened to). I cried al...more
2 likes · like · see review
It was a nice book, but I think I would have like it more if I were younger or if I did not read Anne before this one. I could not help comparing both stories: orphan girl with freckles who goes to another town and lives with a severe spinster, and changes the life of the people. While I fell in love with Anne and the people in Avonlea, from Marilla to Ruby Gillis, I cannot say the same about this one.
Pollyanna was too happy, too nice. Everything seems 'Sparkle', 'Sparkle' around her. And everyo...more
Pollyanna was too happy, too nice. Everything seems 'Sparkle', 'Sparkle' around her. And everyo...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isn't Pollyanna a Little Bit Too Happy? | 11 | 88 | Mar 06, 2013 07:08pm | |
| Kindred Spirits: Pollyanna - February 2013 | 32 | 32 | Mar 03, 2013 12:53pm |
For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleanor_...
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“What men and women need is encouragement. Their natural resisting powers should be strengthened, not weakened ... Instead of always harping on a man's faults, tell him of his virtues. Try to pull him out of his rut ... Hold up to him his better self, his real self that can dare and do and win out! ... People radiate what is in their minds and in their hearts.”
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28 people liked it
“Just breathing isn't living!”
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23 people liked it
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