From Anna

A wonderful young person's novel by Jean Little, about a family emigrating from pre-Nazi Germany and moving to Canada. The plot involves the efforts of the youngest child, Anna, whose poor vision and clumsiness has made her something of an outcast, to make a place for herself in her new home and new school. A very important part of the story is Anna's struggle to make a special Christmas present. Not just a Christmas story as such, as the plot takes place over the span of half a year or so, but a really nice evocation of Old-World holiday traditions, a Canadian town in the last years of the Depression, and a gimlet-eyed accuracy in describing family dynamics...

When I went to my public library a couple of days ago, I never imagined that I would come across two of the best books ever written by a very talented author. 'From Anna' and 'Listen for the Singing' touched me deeply, in a way that no other book has had the ability to do. Although it's language is simple and the style is nothing too out of the ordinary, Jean Little was able to use easy words in a very good way.The last time 'From Anna' was borrowed was early 1997. Most of us would most probably never take a second glance at the book -- that is, if we judged a book by it's cover. However, if one takes the time to read deeper and look beyond the cover, they will find that they have stumbled across an extraordinary book.The story starts off with a young 9-year-old Anna Solden, nicknamed 'Awkward Anna' by her older siblings. Anna is indeed very clumsy and klutzy, hence the nickname. When she hears her family is moving from German to Canada, Anna is devastated. She can't learn German; how will she ever cope with English?! But shortly after her arrival in Canada, Thanks to Dr Franz Schumacher and his discovery that Anna has a severe vision disability, Anna receives a pair of glasses, which bring forth a world she never knew -- a world where words and letters aren't masses of grey blur, a world where numbers stay on the page and where the everything is clear and bright. Anna is sent to a special sight-saving class in order to repair the damage done to her eyes and salvage as much of the remaining ones. There, she learns things about herself -- she CAN have friends, she IS skilled and most of all, she has confidence. Her friends and teacher, Miss Williams, see a whole new Anna devloping as the year draws to a end. A new Anna very different from the old one. And with their help and support, she finally learns to confront her family with secrets that they never knew.A truly touching and moving story with a very fitting ending. Get this book, enjoy it and read the second one -- 'Listen for the Singing', which is just as good, if not better! A definite book I would recommend with two thumbs up!

I have deeply loved this book since I was a little girl. It is very touching and you might even cry if you read it.Anna Solden is the youngest of 5 children. She and her family leave Germany and emigrate to Canada in 1933. Anna, then 9 wonders why she can't draw or knit like her sisters or help her brothers shovel snow or do any of the sundry household chores that want doing. Anna's father is a very kind man who recognizes Anna's potential and encourages her every step of the way.Once in Canada, the Solden children are given a routine physical. The doctor, aghast to learn that Anna suffers from low vision works like a soldier to get Anna enrolled in a Sight Savers class. Once there, Anna flourishes. Outfitted with eyeglasses, she sees just what she had been missing all along. She develops confidence in her newfound abilities and makes friends readily with her classmates. Anna, still determined to prove her worth is desperate to come up with Christmas gifts for her parents and siblings. Her teacher, a very wise woman suggested that the class weave wastebaskets. They do and Anna's basket is the one that stands the straightest without even the slightest hint of a bend. Stroked further by her teacher's praise, Anna sets to work finding ways to get gifts for everyone. She writes a beautiful poem for a classmate who defended her ("Benjamin Nathaniel/Braver than Daniel"), writes a hilariously illustrated dictionary of new words she learned for another classmate and, on Christmas morning presents her parents and siblings with the basket. Shock abounds and her siblings jeer at her, saying she could not have done that basket without help.Ever ready to fight for her, Anna's father chews out the other four children reminding them that had they not had the help and input of others, they, too, would have turned up empty handed on Christmas. Everyone relents, and Anna's gentle father springs a lovely surprise for all -- Anna had invited some guests for Christmas and he heartily endorsed her request. The guests -- Anna's teacher and doctor! This is a masterpiece. It is a classic.

I'm delighted to see From Anna back in print! I have treasured my childhood copy for 25 years and have reread it at least once a year. It's just a special book, set in a time that's now far away, but Anna and her family's struggles are still very contemporary. I just bought a copy for a niece and hope she loves it as much as I do. I understand there's a sequel and I can't wait to read it! It's listed on the back of this edition

"From Anna" tells the story of a young German girl whose family moves to Canada.Anna and her family learn about physical handicaps,financial problems and cultural differences as they settle into their new home.Most of all,though,they learn about love - a love that overflows at Christmas into a gift - a gift from Anna. I read this book more than twelve years ago,as an eight-year-old in a school library in St.John's,Canada.My family,like Anna's,had just moved to Canada(from India),and I was learning to cope.Like Anna,I too had to wear glasses and struggled with the same feelings of insecurity.Even today,I will never forget how I identified with Joan Little's book.I just hope that this tale will touch the hearts of many more readers.