- Who is it for?
- Ages 10–14
- How long is it?
- 30 min
- What does it include?
- Synced read-along and a quiz
- What does it cost?
- Premium access in Emma's Library
About this audiobook
Following the death of her impoverished missionary father, eleven-year-old Pollyanna Whittier is sent to live with her wealthy, stern Aunt Polly in Beldingsville, Vermont. Aunt Polly takes her in solely out of a cold sense of duty, relegating her to a stifling attic room. To cope, Pollyanna relies on the 'Glad Game'—a method taught by her father to find something to rejoice in, no matter how bleak the circumstances. She quickly transforms the lives of the town's most miserable residents, including the bedridden Mrs. Snow, the reclusive millionaire John Pendleton, and the orphaned street urchin Jimmy Bean. She even softens her aunt's rigid exterior, though Aunt Polly refuses to acknowledge the game. The narrative takes a tragic turn when Pollyanna is struck by an automobile, losing the use of her legs and, consequently, her ability to find gladness. Realizing how much Pollyanna has given them, the townspeople rally to her bedside, sharing how her game changed their lives. Aunt Polly finally embraces the game and reconciles with her former lover, Dr. Chilton, who helps secure a specialist. Pollyanna is sent to a clinic where she eventually learns to walk again.
Why it's worth a listen
Follow the journey of an orphaned girl who disarms a cold, duty-bound town with a simple game of finding something to be glad about in every situation. As her infectious perspective chips away at decades of bitterness, the narrative reveals the deep-seated griefs of the adults around her. When tragedy strikes Pollyanna herself, the town must decide whether to return her hard-won hope or let her sink into the darkness.
What listeners will learn
Subjects: literature, storytelling, historical imagination.
- character
- setting
- conflict
- choice
- consequence
- theme
- retelling
- pollyanna
- classic
- fiction
Questions for after listening
- Retell the central conflict in order.
- Name one important choice and what happened because of it.
- How did the setting or tradition shape the story?
A question to keep
Is optimism a courageous act of survival, or is it a form of denial that avoids confronting real pain?
Chapters
- The Duty of Miss Polly Harrington
- The Rules of the Game
- The Hermit and the Mother's Ghost
- A Home for Jimmy Bean
- The Silence of the Wheels
- A Question to Keep
Editorial review
Quality reviewed · 98/100 on . Certificate EL-12F3-CBDF is bound to the exact narrated script.
The review checks factual care, audience fit, teaching quality, structure, tone and source honesty. Read the editorial standards.
Published 2026-07-13 · Updated
