Anne of Green Gables, My Daughter, and Me: What My Favorite Book Taught Me about Grace, Belonging, and the Orphan in Us All

As an Anne of Green Gables fan, I was interested in this book. The author does a good job of answering her adopted daughter's question, "What is an orphan?" with personal stories and quotations from the Anne of Green Gables book series. I enjoyed this book and will look for more books by this author.

Oh, my, word. .I absolutely loved ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, MY DAUGHTER, AND ME. Let me preface this to say that I do not - as a rule - even remotely like memoirs. And really, that is what this is. But I think Lorilee and I must be kindred spirits. Because while I was not adopted, I came from an Amish family background (very similar to Mennonite), my sister was adopted (and I heard all those adoption stories -- and you know they hurt biological children, too. Especially the comments like "Your parents got to pick out your sister. They had to put up with you." Oh, like I am somehow deficient because I wasn't the 'chosen' child? I would have loved to have gotten to know Lorilee in Grand Rapids when we lived there, But that aside, she is funny!

Who doesn't love Anne of Green Gables? And an adoption story combining her retelling and interpretations of scenes in Anne, mixed with similarities and differences in her own experiences were just simply spellbinding. I highly remcommend ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, MY DAUGHTER, AND ME to anyone who loved Anne, who was touched by adoption, or if they love memoirs (because this one clearly trumps them all.) Absolutely fantastically wonderful book.

Believe it or not, I didnt discover Anne of Green Gables until I was in my 30s. As a child, I practically lived at our local library, asked the librarians for recommendations all the time. Yet somehow, I still missed all books by Lucy Maud Montgomery.

Once I did discover her books, though, I collected and read them all. So when I saw the title of Lorilee Crakers new book, 'Anne of Green Gables,' My Daughter & Me, I requested it right away.

Like Anne and her author, Lorilee Craker was adopted. She also adopted her own daughter. The four are kindred spirits, and Lorilee tells us, throughout the book, of all the lessons theyve learned along the way. I loved her sense of humor and subtle asides. I appreciated her unique perspective: from experience, she tells readers about both the longings of the orphan and the heart of the parent who adopts. I drank it all in and wanted to learn more. Craker wraps it all up by reminding us all that we have a loving, heavenly Father, more perfect than any other regardless of whatever weve experienced, who is waiting to adopt us into His family, to someday take us to our permanent heavenly home.

'Anne of Green Gables, My Daughter & Me' is honest, touching, educational, and fun. I recommend it to anyone with a love for the classic Montgomery book series or with a concern for those who feel lost, alone, and bereft in this world.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for this review.

This is a different type of book then I am used to reading, however, it is good. Lorilee writes her memoir and compares it with her daughters story and the story of Anne Greene Gables. I have not read or watched any of the Anne Greene Gables and was able to read this story without any problems. It is a great book of how God works all for His good in our lives. I enjoyed the chapter of how Lorilee talks about your best friend leaving your life and what an impact that makes. As all of us have experienced this in our lives, I enjoyed her comment about how if they hadn't left your life, you would have missed out on all the other best friends you have been able to share you life with. That was such an eye opener and really touches your heart. This is just one of the experiences she touches you with and this book is filled with so many more.

I would recommend this book for those that have experienced adoption, is adopted, Anne Greene Gable fan, or just want to read a good story filled with lots of love, compassion and many life changing experiences. I enjoyed this a lot and would share with my friends and family.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Tyndale. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

This memoir weaves together stories from Anne of Green Gables as well as vignettes from the lives of both the author, Lorilee, and her daughter, Phoebe. Lorilee explores themes of orphanhood, adoption, and family throughout the book, noting that Anne, herself, and her daughter all experienced some aspect of being orphaned and adopted. While experiences specific to adoption such as the search for birth parents make up part of the book, Lorilee also includes universal themes such as losing loved ones and finding a place of belonging, making this memoir applicable to anyone who has experienced family life.

I was skeptical that three such seemingly different lives could be joined into one coherent story, but Lorilee does an excellent job of bringing characters to life and writing in a manner that is both moving and enjoyable. I found myself smiling through funny anecdotes, feeling pained over sad situations, and cheering Anne, Lorilee, and Phobe on as they bravely progressed through various life events. This easy yet touching read should appeal to a wide variety of readers.