Let's be honest: Anne of Green Gables is a literary treasure, but it's also a slog for most modern kids. The prose is dense, the pacing is slow, and the cultural context is over a century old. If your kid is already a bookworm who devours classics, they might fall in love with Anne's fiery spirit and boundless imagination. But if they're a reluctant reader or used to fast-paced contemporary stories? This will gather dust.

The themes are genuinely beautiful—belonging, identity, resilience, creativity—and Anne herself is an unforgettable character. But the barrier to entry is real. You're better off starting with the Netflix adaptation (Anne with an E) to see if the story hooks them, then offering the book to kids who want more.

This is a 'your mileage may vary' situation. Some kids will treasure it forever. Most will bail by chapter three.