Pollyanna Grows Up

Pollyanna Grows Up continues the story of Porter's beloved character, following Pollyanna through two distinct periods of her young life. The book serves as the only official sequel written by Porter herself to her 1913 classic Pollyanna. In the first part, thirteen-year-old Pollyanna brings her optimistic "glad game" to Boston, where she encounters Mrs. Carew, a woman grief-stricken over her missing nephew. Pollyanna's influence extends through the city as she forms new relationships and helps others find hope in difficult circumstances. The narrative jumps forward six years to find twenty-year-old Pollyanna facing financial hardship with her aunt following Dr. Chilton's death. Their decision to take in boarders leads to complications as past connections resurface and hidden truths come to light. The novel explores themes of perseverance and the transition from childhood innocence to adult responsibility, while maintaining the original's focus on finding joy despite life's challenges.

Readers note this sequel lacks the charm and impact of the original Pollyanna, though many appreciate following the character into young adulthood. Readers liked: - The continuation of Pollyanna's optimistic outlook - Her growth and maturity as a character - The satisfying resolution of romantic storylines - The historical glimpse of early 1900s society Common criticisms: - More conventional plot compared to the original - Less focus on the "glad game" concept - Too much emphasis on romance over character development - Pacing issues in the middle sections Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,300+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) One reviewer noted: "It reads more like a standard romance novel of its era rather than the unique story the first book was." Another wrote: "The focus shifts from Pollyanna's special way of viewing the world to more ordinary concerns."

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🌟 Published in 1915, Pollyanna Grows Up was released just two years after the original Pollyanna, following the unexpected massive success of the first book. 📚 The book was so popular that it inspired numerous unauthorized sequels by other authors, leading Eleanor H. Porter to write this official sequel herself to maintain control over her character. 🎭 The story's Boston setting was inspired by Porter's own experiences living in Massachusetts, where she spent most of her adult life and began her writing career. 🌍 The "glad game" concept from the books influenced real-world positive thinking movements and even entered popular vocabulary, with "Pollyanna" becoming a term (sometimes critically) for excessive optimism. 💫 Unlike many sequels of the era that maintained a childlike tone, Porter deliberately aged her protagonist to address more complex themes, making it one of the earlier examples of a children's series that matured with its audience.