For the child curious about everyday life in a bygone era, this book tenderly explores the funny and sad moments of growing up with friends and family.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is curious about life in the past but finds non-fiction dry, or when they are navigating the everyday ups and downs of friendship and family. "Anna All Year Round" is a gentle, chapter-by-chapter look at one year in the life of eight-year-old Anna, growing up in Baltimore just before World War I. The story focuses on small, relatable moments: making a new best friend, rivalries with her brother, the joy of holidays, and the sadness of a friend moving away. It's a wonderful choice for sensitive readers aged 8 to 11 because it makes history feel personal and shows that core childhood feelings of love, jealousy, and sadness are timeless. It provides a comforting and quiet reading experience.
The book deals directly with the death of an elderly neighbor, Mr. Llewellyn. The approach is secular and gentle, focusing on Anna's sadness and her memories of him. The resolution is realistic: grief is real, but life continues. It serves as a gentle introduction to the concept of death. A classmate is also mentioned as having a leg withered by polio, which is presented as a fact of life in that era.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is an 8 to 10-year-old who enjoys quiet, character-driven stories and slice-of-life fiction. It's perfect for a sensitive child curious about history, or a child currently processing the sadness of a friend moving away or experiencing their first, non-traumatic brush with the concept of grief.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared to discuss the chapter "A Sad Good-bye," which deals with the neighbor's death. It is not graphic, but it is frank about the finality of death. A brief conversation about the time period (e.g., iceboxes, horse-drawn buggies, the looming but unmentioned World War I) could enrich the experience but is not essential for understanding the story. A parent has just heard their child say, "I wish my best friend wasn't moving," or ask, "What was life like when you were little?" or even, "What was it like for grandma when she was little?" This book provides a gentle, narrative answer to those feelings and questions.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will connect directly with Anna's immediate problems: friendship squabbles, sibling annoyance, and the excitement of a new pet. An older reader (10-11) will likely have a greater appreciation for the historical details and the subtle ways Anna's world is different from their own, seeing it as a window into the past.
What Makes It Special
While many historical fiction books for this age revolve around a major event, this book's uniqueness lies in its focus on the ordinary. It masterfully illustrates that the core emotional experiences of childhood are universal across time. Its gentle, episodic nature makes it feel more like a cherished family story than a history lesson.
Read plot summary
This episodic novel follows eight-year-old Anna living in Baltimore in 1914. The chapters chronicle a full year of her life, including starting school, making a new best friend named Thelma, navigating relationships with her older brother and younger sister, celebrating holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, and experiencing both joy (getting a puppy) and loss (Thelma moving away, the death of an elderly neighbor).
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
When Thelma first arrives, Anna isn't sure she wants a new friend. Why do you think she felt that way, and what happens to change her mind?
2
Anna is very sad when she learns Thelma is moving away. What does she do to help herself say goodbye and remember their friendship?
3
In the chapter 'A Sad Good-bye,' Anna experiences the death of her neighbor, Mr. Llewellyn. How did this event make Anna think differently about life and growing up?
4
Anna's life in 1914 had no internet, television, or cars. What parts of her daily life and family relationships felt very different from yours? What parts felt exactly the same?
