Pollyanna

by Eleanor H. Porter

Pollyanna, the 1913 classic by Eleanor H. Porter, is a beautiful tale about the power of just being glad. In this story, a joyful little girl named Pollyanna moves to a new town and transforms its people. Her guileless joy inspires her new acquaintances to open windows of dark rooms, take in stray pets and little boys, and even make declarations of love. It seems as though nobody is immune to Pollyanna’s infectious happiness. That is, nobody except Pollyanna’s own aunt, Miss Polly. When a horrible accident occurs and brings the whole town together in a show of support, will Miss Polly’s stubborn nature finally give in? Or will Pollyanna realize that there is not always something to be glad about, after all?

Eleanor H. Porter’s famous character, Pollyanna, radiates joy, love, and innocence, giving us all something to which we can aspire: just being glad about the way things are.