Fifteen-year-old Dan Stewart-Álvarez is thrilled to be in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, where his idol, Dolly Parton, grew up. After dragging him from city to city and through various insecure housing situations, his irresponsible mother has finally taken him to a place with fresh air. Then, their car pulls up in front of a quaint house—and suddenly, Dan and his mother are sitting down for dinner with the paternal grandparents he’s never known. Mawmaw welcomes them with open arms (and heaps of fried chicken), but Pawpaw is hostile, having never reconciled with Dan’s late father after he left home.
That night, Dan’s mother unexpectedly leaves, abandoning Dan. Having never known anything but an itinerant life with his reckless mother, will Dan be able to find a sense of home here?
An endearing reimagining of Anne of Green Gables, Dan in Green Gables captures the charm and sincerity of the beloved classic with a new protagonist whose infectious energy and perseverance will enthrall fans of Anne Shirley. Author Terciero (a pseudonym of Rex Ogle, author of Pizza Face) swaps out Avonlea for rural Tennessee, a setting that proves both delightful and challenging for Dan.
Dan takes each obstacle in stride, with plucky confidence that is refreshing to see in a young adult novel. As a queer youth who loves fashion and dreams of visiting Dollywood, Dan faces not only the typical angry jocks eager to bully a new face, but also the difficulty of finding space for himself in a deeply religious, often intolerant community whose pastors fall into preaching more about fire and brimstone than love and generosity. Terciero depicts the struggles of his protagonist with tenderness, striking an excellent balance between hardship and joy: Dan in Green Gables never feels too demoralizing, nor too lighthearted. Dan gradually learns to meet others where they’re at while staying true to himself, allowing his relationships to blossom at a natural pace.
Meanwhile, Claudia Aguirre’s lush illustrations capture Dan’s year in Tennessee in warm, inviting hues that imbue the characters with liveliness. Vibrant panels capture the natural beauty of Tennessee, from fireflies illuminating a dim blue night, to a tree bursting with peaches ripe for picking.
A wonderful intersection of sprightly art and heartfelt writing, Dan in Green Gables is sure to bring readers the same feelings of hope and wonder as Lucy Maud Montgomery’s original novel.