Pollyanna.

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When optimistic orphan Pollyanna is sent to live with her stern Aunt Polly in the dismal town of Beldingsville, the sweet-natured eleven year old relies on "the Glad Game" to boost her spirits. The Glad Game--which involves looking for the silver lining in every situation--allows her to remain cheerful no matter how coldly and harshly her aunt treats her. Pollyanna teaches the town's residents how to be glad, too, and her sunny outlook soon reanimates the town. Not even strict Aunt Polly is entirely immune to Pollyanna's infectious charm. But when misfortune strikes, Pollyanna will find her irrepressible optimism put to the test. This is an unabridged version of the heartwarming children's tale by American author Eleanor H. Porter, first published in 1913.

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Pollyanna Book and Charm Chapter One Miss Polly Miss Polly Harrington entered her kitchen a little hurriedly this June morning. Miss Polly did not usually make hurried movements; she specially prided herself on her repose of manner. But today she was hurrying actually hurrying. Nancy, washing dishes at the sink, looked up in surprise. Nancy had been working for Miss Polly's kitchen only two months, but already she knew that her mistress did not usually hurry. "Nancy!" "Yes, ma'am." Nancy answered cheerfully, but she still continued wiping the pitcher in her hand. "Nancy" -- Miss Polly's voice was very stem now"when I'm talking to you, I wish you to stop your work and listen to what I have to say." Nancy flushed miserably. She set the pitcher down at once, with the cloth still about it, thereby nearly tipping it over-which did not add to her composure. "Yes, ma'am. I will, ma'am," she stammered, righting the pitcher, and turning hastily. "I was only keepin' on with my work 'cause you specially told me this momin' ter hurry with my dishes, ye know." Her mistress frowned. "That will do, Nancy. I did not ask for explanations. I asked for your attention." "Yes, ma'am." Nancy stifled a sigh. She was wondering if ever in any way she could please this woman. Nancy had never "worked out" before. But a sick mother, suddenly widowed and left with three younger children besides Nancy herself, had forced the girl into doing something toward their support, and she had been so pleased when she found a place in the kitchen of the great house on the hill -- Nancy had come from "The Comers," six miles away, and she knew Miss Polly Harrington only as the mistress of the old Harrington homestead, and one of the wealthiest residents of the town. That was two months before. She knew Miss Polly now as a stem, severe-faced woman who frowned if a knife clattered to the floor, or if a door banged-but who never thought to smile even when knives and doors were still. "When you've finished your morning work, Nancy," Miss Polly was saying now, "you may dear the little room at the head of the stairs in the attic, and make up the cot bed. Sweep the room and clean it, of course, after you clear out the trunks and boxes." "Yes, ma'am. And where shall I put the things, please, that I take out?" "In the front attic." Miss Polly hesitated, then went on: "I suppose I may as well tell you now, Nancy. My niece, Miss Pollyanna Whittier, is coming to live with me. She is eleven years old, and will sleep in that room." "A little girl -- coming here, Miss Harrington? Oh, won't that be nice!" cried Nancy, thinking of the sunshine her own little sisters made in the home at "The Comers." "Nice? Well, that isn't exactly the word I should use," rejoined Miss Polly stiffly. "However, I intend to make the best of it, of course. I am a good woman, I hope, and I know my duty" Nancy colored hotly, "Of course, ma'am. It was only that I thought a little girl here might-might brighten things up-for you, " she faltered. ,,"Thank you," rejoined the lady dryly. "I can't say, however, that I see any immediate need for that." "But, of course, you-you'd want her, your sister's child," ventured Nancy, vaguely feeling that somehow shemust prepare a welcome for this lonely little stranger. Miss Polly lifted her chin haughtily. "Well, really, Nancy, just because I happened to have a sister who was silly enough to marry and bring unnecessary children into a world that was already quite full enough, I can't see how I should particularly want to have the care of them myself. However, as I said before, I hope I know my duty. See that you clean the comers, Nancy," she finished sharply, as she left the room. "Yes, ma'am," sighed Nancy, picking up the half-dried pitcher-now so cold it must be rinsed again. In her own room Miss Polly took out once more the letter which she had received two days before from the faraway Western town, and which had been so unpleasant a surprise to her. The letter was addressed to Miss Polly Harrington, Beldingsville, Vermont, and it read as follows: "Dear Madam: I regret to inform you that the Reverend John Whittier died two weeks ago, leaving one child, a girl eleven years old. He left practically nothing else save a few books; for, as you doubtless know, he was the pastor of this small mission church, and had a very meager salary. "I believe he was your deceased sister's husband, but he gave me to understand the families were not on the best of terms. He thought, however, that for your sister's sake you might wish to take the child and bring her up among her own people in the East. Hence I am writing to you. "The little girl will be all ready to start by the time you get this letter; and if you can take her, we would appreciate it very much if you would write that she might come at once, as there is a man and his wife here who are going... Pollyanna Book and Charm . Copyright © by Eleanor Porter. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold. Excerpted from Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

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School Library Journal Review

Gr 7 Up-Unloved and unwanted, orphan Pollyanna Whittier boards an eastbound train to live with her Aunt Polly, a wealthy spinster. Aunt Polly treats the child insensitively, giving her a musty room in the attic and expecting her to keep quiet and stay out of the way. Pollyanna, with her optimistic outlook on life, turns all the lemons thrown her way into lemonade; punishments are viewed as rewards, unfriendly people in town are befriended. Pollyanna's "Glad Game" is soon played by all the people of the town. A terrible accident with a motor car as she is crossing the street finally breaks Pollyanna's spirit. When long-held secrets are finally revealed, even Aunt Polly comes around to warming up not only to her niece, but to a relationship she had long denied herself. This recording is based on the book by Eleanor H. Porter, originally published in 1913. It remains a charming, albeit old-fashioned, classic. Barbara Caruso's narration is faithful to the text, with a few minor changes sprinkled throughout. Caruso makes use of vocal inflections to differentiate characters. There is no background music or sound effects to distract listeners. Comparable in quality to Pollyanna read by S. Patricia Bailey (Blackstone Audiobooks, 1996), this recording is preferable to the same title available from Chivers (1995).-Stephanie Bange, Dayton & Montgomery County Public Library, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

Gr. 4-6. The perennial favorite about a girl who always sees the bright side of things was made into a movie starring Haley Mills.