Pollyanna

Super Short Summary

In Eleanor H. Porter's Pollyanna, following the death of her father, 11-year-old orphan Pollyanna Whittier moves to Beldingsville, Vermont, to live with her stern Aunt Polly. Despite her grief and initial challenges, including an unsympathetic aunt and a shabby attic room, Pollyanna brings joy to the town by introducing her father's "glad game," which involves finding something to be happy about in every situation. She befriends and transforms bitter community members, including Mr. Pendleton and Mrs. Snow, with her optimism and kindness. Pollyanna's own spirits are tested when she is hit by a car and loses the use of her legs, but with community support and medical intervention, she eventually learns to walk again. The book touches on themes of bereavement, which may be sensitive for some readers.