L. M. Montgomery
English
The story picks up with Anne Shirley, now sixteen and a qualified teacher, preparing to start her two-year term teaching at the Avonlea school. She returns to Green Gables, finding Marilla Cuthbert managing alone after Matthew's passing. Anne is determined to be a different kind of teacher than Mr. Phillips, aiming to win her pupils' affections rather than rule by fear. Her first day is a mix of familiar faces and new challenges, including controlling a boisterous class and dealing with difficult personalities like Anthony Pye. She also faces criticism from Mrs. Rachel Lynde regarding her progressive teaching methods and her involvement in starting an Avonlea Village Improvement Society with her friends. Anne navigates these early challenges with her characteristic imagination and determination, forming bonds with her students, including the perceptive Paul Irving, while also dealing with the eccentricities of her neighbors like Mr. Harrison and the challenges of managing the lively twins, Davy and Dora, who come to live with Marilla. As Anne settles into her teaching career, she becomes involved in the Avonlea Village Improvement Society, facing ridicule and setbacks, such as the hall being painted an unfortunate blue instead of the intended green. She continues to develop her friendships, particularly with Diana Barry and Gilbert Blythe, and finds a kindred spirit in the reclusive Miss Lavendar Lewis. The story also touches upon the quieter aspects of Avonlea life, including the ongoing struggles of families like the Cottons and the gentle romance blooming between Miss Lavendar and Paul Irving's father, Stephen. The arrival of Mrs. Harrison, Mr. Harrison's wife, who had left him due to his parrot Ginger and his untidy habits, adds another layer of community life. Anne's own journey towards maturity is marked by her interactions with her students and friends, her role as a companion to Marilla, and her evolving understanding of the world around her. The book concludes with Anne preparing to leave Avonlea for Redmond College, a bittersweet prospect that highlights her personal growth and the deep affection she holds for her home and its people.
