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Anna #1
Anna All Year Round
Eight-year-old Anna experiences a series of episodes, some that are funny, others sad, involving friends and family during a year in Baltimore just before World War I. Reprint.
131 pages, Paperback
First published March 29, 1999
3 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
Mary Downing Hahn
72 books4,400 followersI grew up in a small shingled house down at the end of Guilford Road in College Park, Maryland. Our block was loaded with kids my age. We spent hours outdoors playing "Kick the Can" and "Mother, May I" as well as cowboy and outlaw games that usually ended in quarrels about who shot whom. In the summer, we went on day long expeditions into forbidden territory -- the woods on the other side of the train tracks, the creek that wound its way through College Park, and the experimental farm run by the University of Maryland.
In elementary school, I was known as the class artist. I loved to read and draw but I hated writing reports. Requirements such as outlines, perfect penmanship, and following directions killed my interest in putting words on paper. All those facts -- who cared what the principal products of Chile were? To me, writing reports was almost as boring as math.
Despite my dislike of writing, I loved to make up stories. Instead of telling them in words, I told them in pictures. My stories were usually about orphans who ran away and had the sort of exciting adventures I would have enjoyed if my mother hadn't always interfered.
When I was in junior high school, I developed an interest in more complex stories. I wanted to show how people felt, what they thought, what they said. For this, I needed words. Although I wasn't sure I was smart enough, I decided to write and illustrate children's books when I grew up. Consequently, at the age of thirteen, I began my first book. Small Town Life was about a girl named Susan, as tall and skinny and freckle faced as I was. Unlike her shy, self conscious creator, however, Susan was a leader who lived the life I wanted to live -- my ideal self, in other words. Although I never finished Small Town Life, it marked the start of a lifelong interest in writing.
In high school, I kept a diary. In college, I wrote poetry and short stories and dreamed of being published in The New Yorker. Unfortunately, I didn't have the courage or the confidence to send anything there.
By the time my first novel was published, I was 41 years old. That's how long it took me to get serious about writing. The Sara Summer took me a year to write, another year to find a publisher, and yet another year of revisions before Clarion accepted it.
Since Sara appeared in 1979, I've written an average of one book a year. If I have a plot firmly in mind when I begin, the writing goes fairly quickly. More typically, I start with a character or a situation and only a vague idea of what's going to happen. Therefore, I spend a lot of time revising and thinking things out. If I'd paid more attention to the craft of outlining back in elementary school, I might be a faster writer, but, on the other hand, if I knew everything that was going to happen in a story, I might be too bored to write it down. Writing is a journey of discovery. That's what makes it so exciting.
In elementary school, I was known as the class artist. I loved to read and draw but I hated writing reports. Requirements such as outlines, perfect penmanship, and following directions killed my interest in putting words on paper. All those facts -- who cared what the principal products of Chile were? To me, writing reports was almost as boring as math.
Despite my dislike of writing, I loved to make up stories. Instead of telling them in words, I told them in pictures. My stories were usually about orphans who ran away and had the sort of exciting adventures I would have enjoyed if my mother hadn't always interfered.
When I was in junior high school, I developed an interest in more complex stories. I wanted to show how people felt, what they thought, what they said. For this, I needed words. Although I wasn't sure I was smart enough, I decided to write and illustrate children's books when I grew up. Consequently, at the age of thirteen, I began my first book. Small Town Life was about a girl named Susan, as tall and skinny and freckle faced as I was. Unlike her shy, self conscious creator, however, Susan was a leader who lived the life I wanted to live -- my ideal self, in other words. Although I never finished Small Town Life, it marked the start of a lifelong interest in writing.
In high school, I kept a diary. In college, I wrote poetry and short stories and dreamed of being published in The New Yorker. Unfortunately, I didn't have the courage or the confidence to send anything there.
By the time my first novel was published, I was 41 years old. That's how long it took me to get serious about writing. The Sara Summer took me a year to write, another year to find a publisher, and yet another year of revisions before Clarion accepted it.
Since Sara appeared in 1979, I've written an average of one book a year. If I have a plot firmly in mind when I begin, the writing goes fairly quickly. More typically, I start with a character or a situation and only a vague idea of what's going to happen. Therefore, I spend a lot of time revising and thinking things out. If I'd paid more attention to the craft of outlining back in elementary school, I might be a faster writer, but, on the other hand, if I knew everything that was going to happen in a story, I might be too bored to write it down. Writing is a journey of discovery. That's what makes it so exciting.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 3, 2025
Although Anna All Year Round, which is loosely based on the childhood of author Mary Downing Hahn's own mother, is rather episodic in nature (with not much of a plot and little narrative tension and excitement), the short, descriptive vignettes of early 20th century childhood (in Baltimore, Maryland) are pure delight; they might not be substantial, but they are sweet, caressing, and at the same time, very much historically informative.
Anna all Year Round is thus basically a year in the life of a girl with both German-American and Anglo-American roots and connections (Anna's mother is German, while her father is Anglo-American). I love how in Anna's family, German and Anglo-American traditions are seamlessly and easily woven together and intermingled (for example, Anna celebrates Christmas Eve with her mother's German relatives, while on Christmas Day, her father's relatives come visiting, the best of both worlds). I also so much appreciate the fact that Mary Downing Hahn has peppered her narrative with a number of (fortunately generally correctly spelled) German words and expressions (that are also explained in a detailed glossary at the back of the book, which I think is an added bonus and will make it easier for readers not familiar with German to understand not only the meanings of the expressions, but also the contexts where the German expressions and words are used). And although I have to say that I do continue to find Anna's mother more than a bit overly authoritative (and definitely not as easy-going and as accepting as the father), I also realise and believe that the author has actually portrayed a historically accurate picture of what many early 20th century mothers were like, wanting their daughters to act like "proper young ladies" and seeing more importance and necessity in good behaviour and polished manners than in allowing their daughters to act like wild and woolly little tomboys.
As a person of German origin, I also find it heartening to actually find an English language children's book on Germans (or rather on individuals of German background, of German origin) that does not have WWII and the Holocaust as a main theme. Don't get me wrong, I think the Holocaust is an important, essential topic, but it does often seem as though there are little enough English language children's books featuring German characters or characters of German origin, and that of the books available, a goodly number, perhaps even a majority seem to feature WWII and the Holocaust, understandable definitely, but also somewhat lamentable (because Germans, German Americans, German Canadians etc. are not or at least should not be only and primarily identified with and by the Nazi era).
As to Diane deGroat's black and white accompanying illustrations, they provide a lovely and decorative mirror of and for May Downing Hahn's narrative, presenting both traditions, fashions, the history of early 20th century America, as well as some of the specific and personal traditions of Anna's own family (and while I do not necessarily think that I would call these illustrations personal favourites, they present and feature an informative and evocative complement to the text, to the author's delightful vignettes of early 20th century American, and German American childhood). Highly recommend!
Anna all Year Round is thus basically a year in the life of a girl with both German-American and Anglo-American roots and connections (Anna's mother is German, while her father is Anglo-American). I love how in Anna's family, German and Anglo-American traditions are seamlessly and easily woven together and intermingled (for example, Anna celebrates Christmas Eve with her mother's German relatives, while on Christmas Day, her father's relatives come visiting, the best of both worlds). I also so much appreciate the fact that Mary Downing Hahn has peppered her narrative with a number of (fortunately generally correctly spelled) German words and expressions (that are also explained in a detailed glossary at the back of the book, which I think is an added bonus and will make it easier for readers not familiar with German to understand not only the meanings of the expressions, but also the contexts where the German expressions and words are used). And although I have to say that I do continue to find Anna's mother more than a bit overly authoritative (and definitely not as easy-going and as accepting as the father), I also realise and believe that the author has actually portrayed a historically accurate picture of what many early 20th century mothers were like, wanting their daughters to act like "proper young ladies" and seeing more importance and necessity in good behaviour and polished manners than in allowing their daughters to act like wild and woolly little tomboys.
As a person of German origin, I also find it heartening to actually find an English language children's book on Germans (or rather on individuals of German background, of German origin) that does not have WWII and the Holocaust as a main theme. Don't get me wrong, I think the Holocaust is an important, essential topic, but it does often seem as though there are little enough English language children's books featuring German characters or characters of German origin, and that of the books available, a goodly number, perhaps even a majority seem to feature WWII and the Holocaust, understandable definitely, but also somewhat lamentable (because Germans, German Americans, German Canadians etc. are not or at least should not be only and primarily identified with and by the Nazi era).
As to Diane deGroat's black and white accompanying illustrations, they provide a lovely and decorative mirror of and for May Downing Hahn's narrative, presenting both traditions, fashions, the history of early 20th century America, as well as some of the specific and personal traditions of Anna's own family (and while I do not necessarily think that I would call these illustrations personal favourites, they present and feature an informative and evocative complement to the text, to the author's delightful vignettes of early 20th century American, and German American childhood). Highly recommend!
April 1, 2025
Actual rating 4.5 ⭐. Anna's mother is slightly abusive in that she feels corporeal punishment "never did anyone no harm". Uh...sure. And I'm Santa Claus. She also said absolutely no to a birthday party for Anna, citing it was too expensive and she didn't want a bunch of children around her feet. Ma'am. What is your problem? I can understand expensive but there's ALWAYS ways around that!
Other than that, this book was absolutely precious, based loosely on real people and taught me a bit more German than the little that I knew. I liked Anna and her friends (though Rosa seemed spoiled and annoying), and this was a wholesome mostly feel-good read.
Perfect for the christmas holidays, but also good whenever you need a book that feels like a hug!
Other than that, this book was absolutely precious, based loosely on real people and taught me a bit more German than the little that I knew. I liked Anna and her friends (though Rosa seemed spoiled and annoying), and this was a wholesome mostly feel-good read.
Perfect for the christmas holidays, but also good whenever you need a book that feels like a hug!
June 9, 2017
This book reminds me a lot of the books that my mother wrote, based on diaries kept by her and by several other members of our family. A lot of little vignettes about what life was like at the time. It is interesting to see the differences between now and then and between life in mostly rural Iowa and life in more urban Baltimore.
In a way, some of the children's behavior lends support to a recent discussion I had with a friend about whether behavior of children had changed in the last few decades. Toward the end of the book, Anna remarks: "I hope manners go out of fashion" and Charlie replies, "No manners. What a wonderful world that would be, Anna!" Well, in some ways, we have that now - fewer manners. For me, it doesn't seem to make the world more wonderful - it makes it harsher and it feels less safe.
In a way, some of the children's behavior lends support to a recent discussion I had with a friend about whether behavior of children had changed in the last few decades. Toward the end of the book, Anna remarks: "I hope manners go out of fashion" and Charlie replies, "No manners. What a wonderful world that would be, Anna!" Well, in some ways, we have that now - fewer manners. For me, it doesn't seem to make the world more wonderful - it makes it harsher and it feels less safe.
June 13, 2021
This book made me so very happy.
July 11, 2020
I was able to get this from out-of-system ILL and am glad I did. I'm not sure how hard I'll work to get the companion book on the farm, but I do find myself wishing that there were sequels about this girl as she becomes a teen and a young lady. Too bad Hahn's mother didn't record those memories!
3.5 stars, rounded up because child me would have loved it. I don't know why it's not more popular.
Btw, I read it twice because I wanted to remember it, since re-ordering would be a pain. It is a quick read.
3.5 stars, rounded up because child me would have loved it. I don't know why it's not more popular.
Btw, I read it twice because I wanted to remember it, since re-ordering would be a pain. It is a quick read.
November 23, 2013
gr 2-4 128 pgs
1913 Baltimore, Maryland. 8 year old Anna loves her neighborhood, family and friends. Although she is excited about some of the new things that are appearing in her neighborhood like automobiles and birthday parties, she still loves hearing the sound of horse drawn wagons going down the street and roller skating with her best friend Charlie.
Follows Anna's adventures over the course of a year. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoyed "Anna on the Farm"
1913 Baltimore, Maryland. 8 year old Anna loves her neighborhood, family and friends. Although she is excited about some of the new things that are appearing in her neighborhood like automobiles and birthday parties, she still loves hearing the sound of horse drawn wagons going down the street and roller skating with her best friend Charlie.
Follows Anna's adventures over the course of a year. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoyed "Anna on the Farm"
December 22, 2025
I saw this doing a search for another book, and thought it was one I had loved as a kid. But now, I don't think I ever read it! It's one year in the life of the author's mother, set in 1913. Anna was a whiny brat at times, but it was fun seeing her going through her days as something of a tomboy and her adventures with the trolley ride and town car, etc. Sweet and funny.
March 2, 2008
I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE THIS BOOK MARYDOWNING HAHN IS AN GREAT AUTHOR
April 21, 2014
This fictionalized account of Hahn's mother's life us a sweet little book for a younger reader.
June 15, 2017
Over all, I enjoyed this snippet of life in Baltimore in 1913. The main character, Anna, is just 8 at the beginning of the book, and turns 9 mid-way through. Really, these are little vignettes from the life of M.D. Hahn's mother's childhood, and some made-up stories to accompany those that Hahn's Mother told.
I picked this book up because my Dad's parents were born in Baltimore in 1915, but there were no stories about their childhoods passed down by them. Anytime I see somebody else willing to put their childhood and young adulthood into writing, to give me an idea of what my grandparents might have seen & done (though, this story actually predates my grandparents by 3 years), I snatch those stories up and savor the bits of information that others have that might fill in blanks in the sparse information that's been passed on to me.
The author presents these stories in third person, present-tense.... It was a little awkward in that manner, keeping the characters very much at arm's length, not letting us see them as anything more than names on a page. In that, this book was nowhere near as well written as M.D. Hahn's _Wait till Helen Comes_.
I picked this book up because my Dad's parents were born in Baltimore in 1915, but there were no stories about their childhoods passed down by them. Anytime I see somebody else willing to put their childhood and young adulthood into writing, to give me an idea of what my grandparents might have seen & done (though, this story actually predates my grandparents by 3 years), I snatch those stories up and savor the bits of information that others have that might fill in blanks in the sparse information that's been passed on to me.
The author presents these stories in third person, present-tense.... It was a little awkward in that manner, keeping the characters very much at arm's length, not letting us see them as anything more than names on a page. In that, this book was nowhere near as well written as M.D. Hahn's _Wait till Helen Comes_.
March 5, 2024
DNF
I guess I start a dnf shelf now? This book would have been interesting if I was family but as it was it was just a collection of stories of someone I didn’t know. They gave a small glimpse into what life was like, but not like the classic children’s historical fiction such as Little House, Lois Lenski books or Ralph Moody. For that reason it isn’t worth my shelf space as there are simply better books out there.
I guess I start a dnf shelf now? This book would have been interesting if I was family but as it was it was just a collection of stories of someone I didn’t know. They gave a small glimpse into what life was like, but not like the classic children’s historical fiction such as Little House, Lois Lenski books or Ralph Moody. For that reason it isn’t worth my shelf space as there are simply better books out there.
June 14, 2023
Now, here Hahn writes what she knows. Unlike her feeble attempts at Spanish, her use of the German language feels natural and not constantly over-explained within the stories.
If only she’d known erector sets would be replaced with Minecraft not long after she published this book
If only she’d known erector sets would be replaced with Minecraft not long after she published this book
February 10, 2023
Sweet vignettes based on author’s childhood experiences.
July 10, 2024
This story filled me with warmth and joy. Such a beautiful book, opening a window into the simple life of a loving family in a century so different from ours, where little things meant so much and brought infinite happiness, while nowadays everything is taken for granted and nothing ever seems to be enough.
Thank you to the author and her niece, who wished to share a part of her grandmother’s precious memories with us
Thank you to the author and her niece, who wished to share a part of her grandmother’s precious memories with us
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews