When the imaginative, outspoken orphan Anne Shirley arrives on Prince Edward Island, Matthew Cuthbert and his sister, Marilla, are surprised to say the least. After all, the Cuthberts had requested that the orphanage send a boy to help with the work around their farm. They certainly didn't bargain for talkative Anne's outlandish ideas and independent ways. Soon her high spirits win over Matthew and Marilla, even when these same traits lead Anne into mishap after mishap as she makes friends and discovers an exciting new life in the quirky town of Avonlea.