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Like all great childrenās book heroines, Anne Shirley is just a bit odd. Okay, sheās very odd. Her crazy imagination and flowery diction differentiate her from most children youāre likely to meet, and despiteĀ a certain recent editionās cover art,Ā her hair is defiantly red. But somehow, her kooky adventures have spoken to generations of children, including me. Though in some ways L.M. Montgomeryās lesser-known heroine Emily Starr was more relatable to me as a kid — shy, withdrawn, bookish, and driven by professional ambition — lighthearted Anne is almost universally irresistible.
Anne is fearless. Anne is unpredictable. Anne is funny, though often unintentionally. Anne is smart, but not snobbish. Anne is so warm and caring you can feel it through the page. (And, cards on the table, her love interest Gilbert was my first literary crush.) Watching her grow up, stumbling from adventure to misadventure, was never dull. Whatās more, it managed to teach young readers all about life without ever seeming preachy. Anne isnāt a model girl, but sheās figuring it out. Just like we all were at her age. Here are 11 of the most important lessons Anne Shirley taught me about life, love, and growing up.
Read:Ā 11 Indispensable Life Lessons Every Woman Can Learn From Anne Of Green Gables | HuffPo.