Anne of Green Gables Books in Order: The Complete Reading Guide
Share
L.M. Montgomery’s Anne books have charmed readers for generations with their warmth, humor, imagination, and deep sense of home. If you are looking for Anne of Green Gables books in order, this guide will walk you through the main series and help you decide the best reading order.
Many readers first discover Anne Shirley through the original novel, but the world of Anne expands across multiple books as she grows from an imaginative orphan into a young woman, teacher, wife, and mother. These books are especially loved by homeschool families, classic readers, collectors, and anyone building a timeless home library.
If you want the best experience, the simplest way is to read the Anne books in publication order, which also follows Anne’s life in a natural sequence.
Anne of Green Gables Books in Order
Here are the main Anne of Green Gables books in order:
- Anne of Green Gables
- Anne of Avonlea
- Anne of the Island
- Anne of Windy Poplars
- Anne’s House of Dreams
- Anne of Ingleside
- Rainbow Valley
- Rilla of Ingleside
That is the core Anne series most readers mean when they search for Anne of Green Gables books in order.
Should You Read Anne in Publication Order or Chronological Order?
For most readers, publication order is the best choice.
That is because L.M. Montgomery wrote the books over time, and publication order lets you experience the series the way generations of readers first encountered it. It also preserves the emotional development of the characters and avoids jumping around too much.
Some readers talk about chronological order because Anne of Windy Poplars was published later but fits earlier in Anne’s life. Still, publication order remains the easiest and most traditional way to read the series.
If you want the classic experience, go with the list above.
What Is Anne of Green Gables About?
The first book introduces Anne Shirley, an imaginative, talkative orphan who is sent by mistake to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert at Green Gables on Prince Edward Island. What begins as a misunderstanding becomes one of the most beloved stories in children’s literature.
Anne is memorable because she feels vivid and alive. She is dramatic, hopeful, funny, emotional, and deeply earnest. Across the series, readers watch her grow up while the books continue to explore friendship, family, education, faith, belonging, and everyday beauty.
That combination helps explain why these books have remained popular for so long.
A Quick Look at Each Anne Book
1. Anne of Green Gables
This is the essential starting point. It introduces Anne, Green Gables, Avonlea, and many of the relationships that shape the rest of the series. For most readers, this is still the most iconic and beloved book.
2. Anne of Avonlea
Anne is a little older here and begins taking on more responsibility. This book keeps the charm of the first while showing Anne maturing and interacting more deeply with her community.
3. Anne of the Island
This book follows Anne into young adulthood and college years. It is a favorite for readers who enjoy seeing her move into a new stage of life while still carrying her imagination and warmth.
4. Anne of Windy Poplars
Although published later, this book fits into Anne’s earlier adult years. It offers a quieter, more reflective portrait of Anne and is often appreciated by readers who enjoy the emotional atmosphere of the series.
5. Anne’s House of Dreams
This entry follows Anne into marriage and a new home. It has a slightly different tone in places, blending beauty and joy with some real emotional depth.
6. Anne of Ingleside
Anne is now a mother, and the family world becomes more central. Readers who like domestic, family-centered fiction often especially enjoy this one.
7. Rainbow Valley
This book broadens the focus somewhat and gives more attention to Anne’s children and the surrounding families. It still belongs firmly within the Anne world, even though Anne herself is less central.
8. Rilla of Ingleside
This final core book is especially notable because of its World War I setting and its focus on Anne’s daughter Rilla. It gives the series an emotional and memorable close.
Do You Need to Read the Entire Series?
Not necessarily.
Many readers are perfectly happy reading just Anne of Green Gables, and it absolutely works as a standalone classic. Others enjoy the first three books most, while longtime fans often want the full journey.
A good way to think about it:
- read book one if you want a timeless classic
- read the first three if you want Anne’s most iconic arc
- read all eight if you want the fullest experience
Books Related to Anne of Green Gables
There are also related L.M. Montgomery books beyond the core Anne series. Some readers branch into works like:
- Chronicles of Avonlea
- Further Chronicles of Avonlea
These are connected story collections from the same wider world, though they are not required reading for the main Anne sequence.
If you fall in love with Prince Edward Island and Montgomery’s style, they can be worth exploring.
Who Should Read the Anne Books?
The Anne books are a great fit for:
- readers who love classic children’s literature
- homeschool families building literature lists
- parents looking for clean and timeless books
- readers who enjoy strong female protagonists
- collectors of beautiful older editions
- anyone who wants comforting, character-driven fiction
These books especially pair well with readers who enjoy Little House on the Prairie, Louisa May Alcott, or other classic family-centered stories.
Best Place to Start for New Readers
The answer is simple: start with Anne of Green Gables.
It is the clearest entry point, the best-known book, and the one that introduces everything readers love about Anne Shirley. If you enjoy it, continue straight into Anne of Avonlea and Anne of the Island.
That gives you a strong sense of whether you want to follow Anne through the entire series.
Why Anne of Green Gables Still Matters
Anne has lasted because she speaks to something timeless. She is full of imagination, but the books are grounded in ordinary life, family relationships, community, mistakes, growth, and hope. They are deeply readable without feeling shallow, and gentle without being dull.
That makes them ideal for readers who want stories with heart, beauty, and staying power.
For used bookstores, Anne books are exactly the kind of classics that appeal to both nostalgic adults and younger readers discovering them for the first time.
Final Thoughts on Anne of Green Gables Books in Order
If you want to read Anne of Green Gables books in order, the best path is:
- Anne of Green Gables
- Anne of Avonlea
- Anne of the Island
- Anne of Windy Poplars
- Anne’s House of Dreams
- Anne of Ingleside
- Rainbow Valley
- Rilla of Ingleside
For most readers, starting with the first book is more than enough to see why Anne Shirley has remained one of literature’s most beloved characters. And for those who keep going, the series offers a rich, comforting, and memorable reading journey.
Be sure to checkout tens of thousands of books on our website!