Anne the Indomitable

Anne Dares
by Kallie George (illustrated by Abigail Halpin)

Toronto: Tundra, 2023
$16.99 / 9780735272101

Reviewed by Ginny Ratsoy

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The fifth in an early chapter book series inspired by L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, Anne Dares, by Sunshine Coast resident Kallie George, has big boots to fill.

The reception to the publication of the now-classic in 1908 resulted in ten subsequent Montgomery books, as well as spawning Before Green Gables, Budge Wilson’s 2008 prequel, and countless radio, television, and film adaptations, as well as several plays and musicals and innumerable book spin-offs—with more to come. Apparently, the world cannot get too much of the red-haired orphan.

Anne Dares succeeds in being true to form: this Anne Shirley is imbued with the characteristics that have made the original Anne Shirley endure nationally and internationally for over a century. 

Because she can imagine herself in ornate garb, Anne dares to attend a party at best friend Diana’s home, even though, in reality, her plain dress makes her stand out. Imagination propels Miss Shirley.

Anne Dares also reflects Ms. Shirley’s bravery—or, more accurately, foolishness: when she takes on meanie Josie Pye’s dare to walk a ridgepole on the roof of the party site, our redhead (after, in her characteristic penchant for melodrama, bequeathing her pearl ring to Diana should she perish) fails and falls. Her consequent physical injury is matched by her shame. Our heroine is not infallible—and not immune to the classic sin of pride. 

After a lengthy recovery period at home, made bearable by that imagination of hers (as well as daily visits from Diana), Anne demonstrates resilience: she returns to school in time to take on a role, somewhat outside of her comfort zone, in the Christmas concert. Miss Shirley is diligent, following through on the necessary practice–aided by Matthew’s encouragement. Anne is not an island—friends and family assist her in her quest—but she is resolute.

On the snowy Christmas morning of the concert, Anne, buoyed by Josie’s heartfelt apology and a well-selected gift from Matthew that demonstrates his bravery, performs well. As she shares with Diana post-performance, our heroine can distinguish damaging challenges from those that develop personal growth.

Anne Shirley has learned to reflect on her lived experience. 

In short, George’s Anne is a satisfactory simulacrum of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne Shirley: charming, sensitive, imaginative, and, above all, indomitable. The text, structured in straightforward chronological fashion, is ably augmented by Abigail Halpin’s art (completed digitally, and rendered in graphite, watercolour, and coloured pencil) in evoking a realistic historical setting and capturing the essence of Anne.

The six-to-eight-year olds at whom the series is targeted will be likely come away pleased, whether reading Anne Dares in isolation or as part of Kallie George’s series.

I would also highly recommend their reading experience incorporate the indomitable original: Anne of Green Gables has been translated into approximately 40 languages, has sold over 50 million copies, and is featured in school curricula around the globe for good reasons. 

Ginny Ratsoy is Professor Emerita at Thompson Rivers University. Her scholarly publications have focused on Canadian fiction, theatre, small cities, third-age learning, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. Recently, Ratsoy was honoured and humbled to receive the 2024 Margaret Cleaveley Award for Canadian Literature Instruction from the Kamloops Adult Learners Society, where she has been a volunteer instructor since 2007 and, since her retirement in 2020, has also been involved as a board member and course coordinator. Once a redhead herself, Ratsoy has been a fan of Anne Shirley since she herself was a child and has reviewed an edited academic publication devoted to Montgomery’s work. [Editor’s note: Ginny Ratsoy has reviewed books by Bill Richardson, Alison Hughes, Caroline Woodward, David Suzuki, Iona Whishaw, Danny Ramadan, Polly Horvath, Yolanda Ridge, Winona Kent, Amanda Lewis, Gregor Craigie, Iona Whishaw, Elizabeth Bass, Karen L. Abrahamson, & J.E. Barnard (eds.), and Gregor Craigie & Kathleen Fu for BCR.]

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The British Columbia Review

Interim Editors, 2023-25: Trevor Marc Hughes (non-fiction), Brett Josef Grubisic (fiction and peotry)
Publisher: Richard Mackie

Formerly The Ormsby Review, The British Columbia Review is an online book review and journal service for BC writers and readers. The Advisory Board now consists of Jean Barman, Wade Davis, Robin Fisher, Barry Gough, Hugh Johnston, Kathy Mezei, Patricia Roy, and Graeme Wynn. Provincial Government Patron (since September 2018): Creative BC. Honorary Patron: Yosef Wosk. Scholarly Patron: SFU Graduate Liberal Studies. The British Columbia Review was founded in 2016 by Richard Mackie and Alan Twigg.

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