Ranking of Anne of Green Gables Books from Best to (Still Beloved But) Least

Some books are companions for a season; others stay with you for a lifetime. I first picked up Anne of Green Gables in high school, and Anne Shirley—the imaginative, fiery-tempered, book-loving orphan that she was—felt like a kindred spirit. Like Anne, I was an only child, a lover of stories, and someone who often said the wrong thing before I could catch it. So naturally, I devoured the series—and now, decades later, I’ve decided to rank the original eight books from favorite to least favorite. (Spoiler: even the bottom-ranked one still holds a piece of my heart.)

1. Anne of Green Gables

It all began with Anne of Green Gables. This book is magic—pure, poetic magic. We meet Anne, fall in love with Prince Edward Island, and discover themes of belonging, friendship, and transformation in this book. Every reread brings back the feeling of discovering a kindred spirit when I most needed one. No contest—this will always be my number one. 💖

2. Anne of the Island

Anne goes to college! Anne of the Island gave me everything: the slow-burn romance with Gilbert (finally!), the bittersweetness of growing up, and Anne’s continuing quest to figure out who she is and what she wants. I adored the boarding house friendships and the turning point this book represented. Plus: that ending? Swoon.

3. Anne of Avonlea

I admit, I was impatient with this one when I first read it—I wanted more Gilbert! But after recalling the series while ranking this, I realized that I love the way Anne grows into her role as a young teacher while still keeping her whimsical spirit alive. It’s full of fun side characters and quirky mishaps and shows Anne learning to balance idealism with the real world.

4. Anne’s House of Dreams

This one is like a beautiful watercolor painting—gentle, bittersweet, and filled with new beginnings. I loved Anne’s friendships with her new neighbors, especially Leslie Moore, and the emotional depth the story explores. Anne’s married life doesn’t speak to me the way her childhood did, but I still found a lot to appreciate here.

5. Anne of Windy Poplars

The tone of this book is quieter, yet it resonates deeply with me. Told mostly through Anne’s letters to Gilbert, it’s full of small-town characters, heartfelt moments, and side stories that stayed with me long after I finished. Elizabeth, the lonely child with a vivid imagination, and the girl secretly in love with her friend who wouldn't confess—those stories still tug at my heart. While it’s more episodic, that structure didn’t make it any less gripping for me. It’s a warm and wistful glimpse into Anne’s life before marriage, filled with the kind of emotional nuance I adore.

6. Rilla of Ingleside

This one surprised me. Even though Anne isn’t the focus, Rilla’s story—set during WWI—is deeply affecting. Her brother's death deeply affected me, and her coming-of-age arc captivated me. And yes, I’m a sucker for a satisfying romance, and Rilla’s had all the slow-burn sweetness I love.

7. Rainbow Valley

This is one of those books I liked but hardly remember now. It focuses on Anne’s children and the new minister’s kids getting into mischief. It has its moments, but with less Anne and more chaos, it felt like a distant cousin to the series I loved most. Still, if I revisited it, I might rediscover its charm.

8. Anne of Ingleside

Sigh. This is where I lost something of the magic. Anne, all grown up with a house full of children, felt like a stranger to the imaginative girl I once related to. I still love her, of course—however, marriage and motherhood are not paths I have pursued, and this version of Anne no longer felt aligned with my sense of a kindred spirit. That said, it’s still a good book, even though it's last—just one that no longer speaks to the girl (and grown-up) me.

Ranking these books was like trying to line up friends in order of importance—you love them all, just differently. Anne’s journey from a dreamy, lonely orphan to a woman with a full, if not always relatable, life has shaped how I saw myself growing up. Some chapters I outgrew, others I grew into. But each one gave me something precious.