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Book Summary and Reviews of Ana of California by Andi Teran

Ana of California by Andi Teran

Ana of California

by Andi Teran

  • Critics' Consensus (2):
  • Published:
  • Jun 2015, 368 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

A modern take on the classic coming-of-age novel, inspired by Anne of Green Gables.

In the grand tradition of Anne of Green Gables, Bridget Jones's Diary, and The Three Weissmanns of Westport, Andi Teran's captivating debut novel offers a contemporary twist on a beloved classic. Fifteen-year-old orphan Ana Cortez has just blown her last chance with a foster family. It's a group home next - unless she agrees to leave East Los Angeles for a farm trainee program in Northern California.

When she first arrives, Ana can't tell a tomato plant from a blackberry bush, and Emmett Garber is skeptical that this slight city girl can be any help on his farm. His sister Abbie, however, thinks Ana might be just what they need. Ana comes to love Garber Farm, and even Emmett has to admit that her hard work is an asset. But when she inadvertently stirs up trouble in town, Ana is afraid she might have ruined her last chance at finding a place to belong.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!
  1. Lupe Saucedo knows that Ana's last foster situation was far from ideal, but she's unable to place her with another family. Should Lupe have taken Ana in herself? Does Lupe have Ana's best interests at heart?
  2. On the ride home from the airport, Emmett warms to Ana after learning that she likes Neil Young. Later, Ana and Rye bond over their shared love of the band Hex. Music can be a powerful force that brings strangers together. Why might this be?
  3. Why is Abbie so nervous when Ana arrives at the farm? Should Abbie have told Ana about Josie and why she left in order to prevent future misunderstandings?
  4. What does Miranda's mistake about "Mexican Coke" say about her? Do Miranda's later actions redeem her initial ...
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Reviews

Media Reviews

"Starred Review. Debut fiction author Teran's contemporary reimagining of Anne of Green Gables brilliantly captures the essence of Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic story of a girl who will win your heart with her well-meaning imperfections. Highly recommended." – Library Journal

"Readers will appreciate the references to music, books, and art, and the way shared artistic interests can bring people together." - Publishers Weekly

"Anne of Green Gables fans will rejoice; newcomers will find a satisfying tale; and Ana's high jinx will leave both types of readers smiling and asking for more." – Kirkus

This information about Ana of California was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

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Author Information

Andi Teran

Andi Teran, a native of El Paso, Texas, currently lives in Los Angeles. Ana of California is her first novel.

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