Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
3rd out of 24 books
—
22 voters
From Anna (Anna Solden #1)
Moving is never easy, especially when you're a little 9-year-old girl moving from the tumult of living in Nazi Germany to Canada in the 1930s. And if you're clumsy and your older brothers and sisters all call you "Awkward Anna" as well, it's even worse. In award-winning writer Jean Little's poignant novel, From Anna, readers are sure to be touched by Anna Soldens's struggl...more
Paperback, 208 pages
Published
October 31st 1973
by HarperTrophy
(first published 1972)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
501)
This book is top-notch. It is written by a very sensitive children's author, Jean Little. It is about a little girl who is different from the rest of the family. She is awkward and is always stumbling over things. She cannot understand how her brothers and sisters can tell their Father is coming down the street before she hears his steps. Her mother is exasperated with her because she cannot learn to sew, but Anna wonders where the eye of the needle is that she can't find. Her teacher says she i...more
Nov 26, 2008
Mary JL
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who wants a touching family story
Shelves:
young-adult-children
From Anna is a wonderful, sensitive touching book. It concerns nine year old Anna who is emigrating from Germany in the 1930's to Canada.
But not only must Anna deal with the new country, but the old problems of being the misfit of the family. When they children are studying English, Anna's older borther Rudy names her "Awkward Anna:.
A quote: "Awkward! Awkward! How she hated it! How she thought it was true. Rudy used it most often--he guessed how much it hurt. Only Papa never used it--he Guessed...more
But not only must Anna deal with the new country, but the old problems of being the misfit of the family. When they children are studying English, Anna's older borther Rudy names her "Awkward Anna:.
A quote: "Awkward! Awkward! How she hated it! How she thought it was true. Rudy used it most often--he guessed how much it hurt. Only Papa never used it--he Guessed...more
Anna Solden has always been "awkward"--a word she hates, but accepts as true. It's a label her siblings have given her, and her school teacher and even her mother are exasperated with her. She constantly stumbles, cannot read well, and there are so many things she cannot do. Changes have come to Germany in the 1930's--some quite frightening--and Anna's father feels that it will be better if he takes his family away from an increasingly dangerous environment. The Soldens emigrate to Canada, where...more
Anna a 9-year-old girl moved from Nazi Germany to Canada around the 1030s. She cannot speak English very well, nor is she used to her new home in Canada. One day Anna realizes that she needs glasses, and that's why she was so clumsy all that time. All of a sudden her brothers and sisters thought of Anna so differently. I first picked this book up because I thought the book would have been a book like Dear John, but instead the title was "From Anna," my prediction turned out to be wrong. I finish...more
This actually probably more of a children's or young adult book, but I love it. It's a very tender story about a little girl who emigrates with her family to Canada from Germany on the eve of WWII.
My edition makes it look like an ordinary school story, and therefore it's been on my shelf for years. Bouncing through comments from My Buddy I learn that Anna is not one of Andrew Clements comfortable middle-class children - and I'm more motivated to move this book forward on my to-read pile.
Well, it was different. A short book, about a nice family, and a somewhat troubled girl. Lots of educational ideas about pre-WWII Germany and Canada, about families, about disabilities, and kindness, etc....more
Well, it was different. A short book, about a nice family, and a somewhat troubled girl. Lots of educational ideas about pre-WWII Germany and Canada, about families, about disabilities, and kindness, etc....more
This heart-warming story features Anna Soldens, who moves from Nazi Germany to Canada, where a family friend recognizes that her vision problem is the root of her academic issues and clumsiness. A special classroom and new teacher help Anna start over and gain a new sense of value. This wholesome story is suitable for religious audiences, and the story includes Christmas presents as part of the plot.
One of my top 10, although I keep adding more than 10 to that list. It's one I come back to when I'm feeling sad and lonely. Rich and sweet, and unsentimental.
I wish I could find Listen for the Singing, the sequel.
Remind me and I'll write a fuller review later.
I wish I could find Listen for the Singing, the sequel.
Remind me and I'll write a fuller review later.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This is one of my most remembered books. I truly loved it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys children's literature. It's a beautiful story.
Great little story, I remember Jean Little coming to my school in grade 5, she was very inspirational.
I loved this book as a child, and recently re-read it; it's still good these many years later! :)
I thought From Anna by Jean Little was the best book I've ever read. I'm 50% German and this book is my favorite German story. Sometimes I feel just like Anna.
I still remember every word of the "Thoughts are Free" song from this book.
3 likes
·
like
· see review
A touching story told from an awkward Child's point of view.
This has been one of my favorite books for a long time.
am 10 and I read this book at school
My favourite book as a kid!
True Story
My name is Anna, so my mom got this book for me at a used-book sale. It sat on my shelf for a few weeks and then I started to read it. It was one of the most touching stories I have ever read. (Harry Portera us still better, of course.)
Love Jean Little and the stories she creates. Also love that they are re-releasing the covers so that my current students are willing to pick them up :)
This is a great book that shows that sometimes the smallest things can make you happy.
Reminds me of a person I know
May 17, 2013
Natalie
marked it as to-read
May 17, 2013
Jordan
added it
May 12, 2013
Malica
added it
May 11, 2013
Carole Weinstein
marked it as to-read
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Jean Little is a Canadian author, born in Taiwan. Her work has mainly consisted of children's literature, but she has also written two autobiographies: Little by Little and Stars Come Out Within. Little has been partially blind since birth as a result of scars on her cornea and is frequently accompanied by a guide dog.
More about Jean Little...
Share This Book
1 trivia question
1 quiz
More quizzes & trivia...
1 quiz
Oct 21, 2010 01:33pm