If you met Pollyanna Whittier as a child, you probably wondered what kind of adult she'd become. Could someone really keep playing the 'Glad Game' forever? Eleanor H. Porter answers that question in this direct sequel, picking up Pollyanna's story a few years later.

The Story

The book follows Pollyanna into her late teens and early twenties. She leaves her Aunt Polly's home in Beldingsville and spends time in Boston, living with wealthy women she helped years before. Here, she's exposed to a bigger, more complicated world. She reunites with her old friend, Jimmy Pendleton, but their relationship isn't the simple friendship of childhood anymore. Pollyanna gets tangled in the lives and dramas of the people around her, using her optimistic nature to try and mend broken situations. The story isn't about one big conflict, but about Pollyanna learning that fixing adult problems requires more than just finding something to be glad about. It's about her journey to understand that true happiness often involves facing sadness head-on.

Why You Should Read It

This book surprised me. It's deeper than the original. Watching Pollyanna struggle to apply her childhood game to adult-sized problems is genuinely compelling. Her optimism feels harder-won and more meaningful. She doesn't just ignore the bad stuff; she learns to work through it. The characters around her are flawed and real, and her influence on them feels earned, not magical. I found myself rooting for her not because she was perfectly cheerful, but because she was trying so hard to be kind in a world that isn't always kind back. It’s a quiet, character-driven story that makes you think about your own outlook on life.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who enjoyed the classic 'Pollyanna' and is curious about the rest of her story. It's also a great pick for readers who love gentle, heartfelt stories about personal growth and the challenge of holding onto hope. If you're looking for a fast-paced plot, this isn't it. But if you want to spend time with a character who feels like an old friend, navigating the universal struggle of growing up without losing your spark, you'll find a lot to love here. It's a warm, thoughtful continuation that honors the spirit of the original while letting its heroine mature in believable ways.