Anne of Green Gables Books in Order [Complete Guide 8 Books]

From the infamous slate scene to the hilarious cordial fiasco, Anne has warmed the hearts of readers for more than a century. If you are looking to read the series for the first time, or perhaps revisit a beloved favorite in a new light, here are two ways you can read the Anne of Green Gables books in order.

Anne of Green Gables Books in Order

You can read the Anne of Green Gables books either in publication order as original fans of the series would have done more than a century ago, or in the chronological order put forth by L. M. Montgomery.

Regardless of which order you choose, the first three books will remain the same. These books track Anne’s adolescence on the Island. From there, as Anne grows, moves away from the Island, then moves back, the reading orders shift slightly.

Reading the books in chronological order will offer a slightly more cohesive reading experience, without the shifts in perspective and jumps in time that occur when reading the books in publication order.

Usually if an author corrects their publication order with an altered chronological order, it is because there is something they wish they could have said earlier or events that they could have delved deeper into. This is the case with the Anne of Green Gables books in order as the chronological order follows Anne’s progression from the Cuthbert’s farm to her own homestead in a linear fashion.

But continue reading to determine which reading order is best for you. As well, following the reading order options, there is a brief introduction to some of the authorized companion reading material.

#1 Anne of Green Gables Books in Order of Publication

The first way to read the Anne of Green Gables books in order is in the order of publication.

However, reading the books in this order will jump around in perspectives slightly as the sixth book L. M. Montgomery published is from the perspective of the next generation. Montgomery then returned to Anne’s perspective for the final two books, but jumped back in time to the beginnings of Anne’s marriage.

#2 Anne of Green Gables Books in Chronological Order

The second, and recommended, way to read the Anne of Green Gables books in order is chronologically. Reading the books in this reading order will offer a more cohesive and linear reading experience.

Furthermore, it is the recommended reading order of L. M. Montgomery.

Additional Reading Material

If you have already read the books in the Anne of Green Gables series, there is still more authorized reading material available. The below list is comprised primarily of short story collections written by L. M. Montgomery. The Blythes Are Quoted was completed shortly before Montgomery’s death and includes some of the stories from The Road to Yesterday.

However, the title marked with an asterisk below is the only one on the list that is not a short story collection, and also was not written by Montgomery. Before Green Gables is a prequel to Anne of Green Gables that was written by Budge Wilson and fully authorized by the estate of L. M. Montgomery.

Is There an Anne of Green Gables TV Show?

Anne of Green Gables isn’t just a popular book series. In fact, there are multiple screen adaptions. This beloved series has been adapted into movies, television series, and stage productions that have premiered around the world.

The most recent screen adaption was Anne With an E, a joint endeavour between the Canadian Broadcasting Company and Netflix which won multiple Canadian Screen Awards. It stars Amybeth McNulty as Anne and Lucas Jade Zumann as Gilbert.

The television series premiered in 2017 to mixed reaction from Anne-fans for its darker, more contemporary take on a beloved tale. The storyline in the show veers from L. M. Montgomery’s books. It ended in 2019 after three seasons, but it undoubtedly ignited the joy and delight of Anne in the hearts of a new generation.

In addition to the recent television series, Anne of Green Gables was also the inspiration for a popular 1985 television mini-series. The mini-series is comprised of four parts: Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story, and Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning.

The first installment, Anne of Green Gables, aired internationally with great success. It won an Emmy in 1986 for Outstanding Children’s Program as well as many other awards. The first two films followed the books by L. M. Montgomery, but the storyline veered off in new directions with the third and fourth installments.

The Anne of Green Gables books in order have inspired numerous other television shows, movies, and plays. As well as radio dramas and musicals.

Anne of Green Gables: The Musical, which is performed in Charlottetown every year, was named the longest running annual musical by Guinness World Records in 2014.

Who is Anne of Green Gables?

Anne of Green Gables is the first book in the series of the same name by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Anne Shirley is our protagonist and the series follows her trials and tribulations as she comes of age in rural Prince Edward Island during the late nineteenth century.

Anne is a lively, fiery 11-year-old orphan when the series commences. Mistakenly she has been sent to the Cuthbert’s farm in the fictional town of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island, which will change the course of her life – and the lives of those around her – forevermore.

L. M. Montgomery was born on Prince Edward Island and in her writing pulled inspiration from the towns of her childhood. In fact, Avonlea itself is based on the town of Cavendish.

The realism this lent her prose has captured the hearts of readers around the world. Many have found comfort in the crashing surf and red, rolling beaches of Prince Edward Island.

When Anne arrives, the Cuthbert’s are dismayed. Advancing in age, siblings Marilla and Matthew had requested a boy from the orphanage to help on their farm and are on the cusp of sending her back. However, Anne’s charm and chatter convince them otherwise.

The series grows with Anne. It follows her through adolescence into adulthood, from schoolyard crushes to a higher education and married life. Throughout the course of the books readers will cringe with Anne at the embarrassment that comes with learning who you are, mourn her losses, and celebrate her triumphs.

Montgomery died in 1942, but through Anne her legacy continues to thrive in the hearts of many kindred spirits.

Summary of the Anne of Green Gables Books In Order

If you’re ready to start reading the Anne of Green Gables books right away, or if there is a book within the series that you haven’t read yet, here are the book summaries from this series.

The below list features the Anne of Green Gables books in chronological order.

1. Anne of Green Gables

This heartwarming story has beckoned generations of readers into the special world of Green Gables, an old-fashioned farm outside a town called Avonlea.

Anne Shirley, an eleven-year-old orphan, has arrived in this verdant corner of Prince Edward Island only to discover that the Cuthberts – elderly Matthew and his stern sister, Marilla – want to adopt a boy, not a feisty redheaded girl.

But before they can send her back, Anne – who simply must have more scope for her imagination and a real home – wins them over completely.

This much-loved classic explores all the vulnerability, expectations, and dreams of a child growing up. It is also a wonderful portrait of a time, a place, a family – and, most of all, love.

2. Anne of Avonlea

At sixteen, Anne is grown up – almost. Her gray eyes shine like evening stars, but her red hair is still as peppery as her temper.

In the years since she arrived at Green Gables as a freckle-faced orphan, she has earned the love of the people of Avonlea and a reputation for getting into scrapes. But when Anne begins her job as the new schoolteacher, the real test of her character begins.

Along with teaching the three Rs, she is learning how complicated life can be when she meddles in someone else’s romance, finds two new orphans at Green Gables, and wonders about the strange behaviour of the very handsome Gilbert Blythe. As Anne enters womanhood, her adventures touch the heart and the funny bone.

3. Anne of the Island

New adventures lie ahead as Anne Shirley packs her bags, waves good-bye to childhood, and heads for Redmond College.

With her old friend Prissy Grant waiting in the bustling city of Kingsport and her frivolous new friend Philippa Gordon at her side, Anne tucks her memories of rural Avonlea away. She soon discovers life on her own terms, filled with surprises. Including a marriage proposal from the worst fellow imaginable, the sale of her very first story, and a tragedy that teaches her a painful lesson.

But tears turn to laughter when Anne and her friends move into an old cottage and an ornery black cat steals her heart. Little does Anne know that handsome Gilbert Blythe wants to win her heart, too. Suddenly Anne must decide whether she’s ready for love.

4. Anne of Windy Poplars/Willows

Anne Shirley has left Redmond College behind to begin a new job and a new chapter of her life away from Green Gables.

But now she faces a new challenge: The Pringles. They’re known as the royal family of Summerside and they quickly let Anne know she is not the person they had wanted as principal of Summerside High School.

But as she settles into the cozy tower room at Windy Poplars, Anne finds she has great allies in the widows Aunt Kate and Aunt Chatty. As well as in their irrepressible housekeeper, Rebecca Dew. As Anne learns Summerside’s strangest secrets, winning the support of the prickly Pringles becomes only the first of her delicious triumphs.

Anne's House of Dreams Anne of Green Gables Books in Order

5. Anne’s House of Dreams

Anne’s own true love, Gilbert Blythe, is finally a doctor, and in the sunshine of the old orchard, among their dearest friends, they are about to speak their vows. Soon the happy couple will start a new life together in their own dream house, on the misty purple shores of Four Winds Harbor.

But a new life means fresh problems to solve, fresh surprises. Anne and Gilbert will make new friends and meet their neighbors: Captain Jim, the lighthouse attendant, with his sad stories of the sea; Miss Cornelia Bryant, the lady who speaks from the heart – and speaks her mind; and the tragically beautiful Leslie Moore, into whose dark life Anne shines a brilliant light.

6. Anne of Ingleside

Anne is the mother of five, with never a dull moment in her lively home. And now, with a new baby on the way and insufferable Aunt Mary Maria visiting – and wearing out her welcome – Anne’s life is full to bursting.

Still, Mrs. Doctor can’t think of any place she’d rather be than her own beloved Ingleside. Until the day she begins to worry that her adored Gilbert doesn’t love her anymore.

But how could that be? She may be a little older, but she’s still the same irrepressible, irreplaceable redhead – the wonderful Anne of Green Gables, all grown up. She’s ready to make her cherished husband fall in love with her all over again.

Rainbow Valley Anne of Green Gables Books in Order

7. Rainbow Valley

Anne Shirley is grown up, has married her beloved Gilbert, and is the mother of six mischievous children. These boys and girls discover a special place all their own, but they never dream of what will happen when a strange family moves into an old mansion nearby.

The Meredith clan is two boys and two girls – and a runaway named Mary Vance. Soon the Merediths join Anne’s children in their private hideout, intent on carrying out their plans to save Mary from the orphanage, to help the lonely minister find happiness, and to keep a pet rooster from the soup pot. There’s always an adventure brewing in the sun-dappled world of Rainbow Valley.

Rilla of Ingleside Anne of Green Gables Books in Order

8. Rilla of Ingleside

Anne’s children are almost grown up, except for pretty, high-spirited Rilla. No one can resist her bright hazel eyes and dazzling smile. Rilla, almost fifteen, can’t think any further ahead than going to her very first dance at the Four Winds lighthouse and getting her first kiss from handsome Kenneth Ford.

But undreamed-of challenges await the irrepressible Rilla when the world of Ingleside is endangered by a far-off war. Her brothers go off to fight, and Rilla brings home an orphaned newborn in a soup tureen. She is swept into a drama that tests her courage and changes her forever.

Final Thoughts

As previously mentioned, Anne of Green Gables is a beloved series. It has been enjoyed by children and adults alike for generations. If you are reading the series for the first time, these reading orders will be the perfect guide for your reading experience.

Looking for more books in order?

Check out this list of the Chronicles of Narnia books in order.

Anne of Green Gables Books in Order | Ultimate Guide