Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables, a children's book by Lucy Maud Montgomery, was first published in 1908. It was based on a true story, which the author had read about in a newspaper article, about a couple attempting to adopt a boy and being sent a girl by mistake - and deciding to keep her.

In Montgomery's book, Anne Shirley is an engaging orphan with a wild imagination, who comes to live with elderly farmer Matthew Cuthbert and his prim sister, Marilla, on Prince Edward Island, Canada. She quickly wins them over, becoming the child neither of them ever had, and gradually matures, enjoying various entertaining adventures in the process. Other characters include her best friend, Diana Barry, and the love of her life, Gilbert Blythe. There was a series of sequels including Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne's House of Dreams, and Rilla of Ingleside, the last of these being about Anne's daughter.

The book was made into a Hollywood film, and there have been many television adaptations in various countries. A West End musical was also based on the story.