In this contemporary retelling of Anne of Green Gables, Anne Shirley, a queer, half-Japanese disco superfan, moves to a town that seems too small for her big personality and where she becomes embroiled in a series of dramatic and unfortunate events. - (Baker & Taylor)
"An ABBA-loving singer/actor/writer of disco-operas, queer, Japanese American Anne starts a new school in middle-of-nowhere Greenville after a series of dramatic and unfortunate events and quickly finds herself wrapped up in a love triangle she never expected. 50,000 first printing." - (Baker & Taylor)
This is the story of how I became Anne of Greenville. It’s also the story of how I found my true true, and how I needed to maybe come to Greenville, of all places, to make that happen.
In this modern reimagining of Anne of Green Gables, Anne is an ABBA-loving singer/actor/writer of disco-operas, queer, Japanese-American who longs to be understood for her artistic genius. Recently relocated to middle-of-nowhere Greenville and starting at a new school, Anne has a tendency to A) fall in love quickly, deeply, and effervescently and B) fly off the handle in the face of jerks. Both personality quirks quickly come into play when the soccer team boos the premiere of her disco performance, which—in a roundabout way—introduces her to her new BFF, Berry, and she soon after meets the girl of her dreams, Gilly.
Falling quickly into that age-old trap of ignoring the best friend for the new crush, Anne soon becomes embroiled in a series of dramatic and unfortunate events, and quickly finds herself wrapped up in a love triangle she never expected. Is she MTB with Gilly? Or is Berry her true soul mate? Only time (or 304 pages) will tell.
In this coming-of-age novel by fan-favorite author Mariko Tamaki, see the classic tale in a whole new light. Refreshingly bold and unapologetically unique, Anne of Greenville will make you want to stand up and sing!
- (Grand Central Pub)
Mariko Tamaki is a Canadian writer living in California. She is the co-creator of the New York Times bestseller This One Summer with Jillian Tamaki, and Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me with Rosemary Valero-O’Connell. These works have received Eisner, Ignatz and Printz Honors. Mariko also writes superhero stories for Marvel and DC Comics. Her prose includes the YA murder mystery, Cold. - (Grand Central Pub)
Booklist Reviews
*Starred Review* The tiny town of Greenville has never met anyone like Anne Shirley. When one of her moms gets a vice-principal job there, relocating the family for the role, Anne's prepared to embrace the change like she does everything: with aplomb. But when the disco-themed roller-skating-routine introduction she's planned not only falls flat but is met with homophobic bullying, Anne realizes she might be in over her dyed-bright-orange head. Being half Japanese, half white, and the queer, adopted daughter of two moms is no easy feat in mostly white, buttoned-up Greenville, but Anne has never backed down before. And her new best friend, Berry, makes life in Greenville bearable—maybe even good? Everything comes to a head when Anne auditions for the school play, infuriating her bullies and sparking a maybe-friendship with the reserved, enigmatic Gilly. As Anne crushes on Gilly (accidentally hurting Berry in the process) and pushes back against Greenville's prejudices, she may discover her own heart. Tamaki takes big swings: this is more an homage to the original Anne of Green Gables than a beat-for-beat retelling. While purists may be disappointed by certain narrative sleights of hand, the book ultimately lends the verve and imagination to the tale that Anne, in all her versions, would delight in. Appropriately brave and buoyant but with a wit and charm all its own, this adaptation soars. Grades 8-10. Copyright 2022 Booklist Reviews.
