A heartfelt homage to resilience, chosen family, and finding light in the darkest corners of youth.
In Dan in Green Gables, Rey Terciero reimagines the classic Anne of Green Gables through the lens of a 1990s queer teen navigating trauma, identity, and hope. The result is a deeply moving graphic novel that pays tribute to L.M. Montgomery’s beloved tale while carving out an entirely new, timely, and powerful story of its own.

Dan, a witty and resilient young man, is dropped off at his grandparents’ home after years of neglect by his alcoholic mother. He doesn’t remember these relatives—especially not his stern and openly homophobic grandfather—and the transition is far from easy. As he faces relentless bullying at school and judgment at home, Dan still manages to show up with kindness, courage, and charm. His vulnerability and humor shine through in every panel, making him a protagonist readers will instantly root for.

Much like Anne Shirley, Dan learns what it means to build a home, not from where he came, but from the love he cultivates. Yet this journey doesn’t gloss over pain. The emotional toll of his upbringing, the hostility he endures, and the complexity of his relationships are all depicted with honesty and care. What’s most inspiring is how Dan doesn’t just survive—he thrives, and in doing so, uplifts others too.

The emotional weight of the story deepens with the author’s note at the end. Terciero shares that Dan in Green Gables is largely autobiographical—only in real life, there was no safety net. His refuge was the original Anne of Green Gables, a story that offered him solace during his own cold, lonely nights. Knowing this adds an extra layer of poignancy to the book, reminding us that while fiction can be a lifeline, many kids still have to climb out of trauma on their own.

This graphic novel is a tender, powerful tribute to anyone who’s had to build happiness from scratch. It’s a reminder that, like Dan, we all deserve love, safety, and a chance to be seen as we truly are. Not every story has a fairy-tale ending—but Dan in Green Gables offers readers a beacon of hope, strength, and the transformative power of empathy.

Recommended for:
Teens and adults alike, especially fans of queer coming-of-age stories, graphic memoirs, or Anne of Green Gables. Ideal for readers who believe in the power of found family and the long, brave road to self-acceptance.

Dan in Green Gables is marketed as “a modern reimagining of Anne of Green Gables.” Had I not read that prior to reading this graphic novel, I do not think I would have made any connection between the two. Since I did read that prior to this one, I spent most of my time trying to find the connections and not enough time reading the book for what it is on its own.

There is a lot going on in this story: parental abandonment and abuse, trying to make friends and fit in at a new school, getting bullied, coming to terms with one’s queerness, and lots of religion. With so many different themes going on, it was hard to go too in-depth with any of it, and I’m not sure there was resolution in the end. That being said, I’m sure many teens will find comfort in the representations in this graphic novel.

I received a digital ARC of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

This graphic reimagined homage to Anne of Green Gables ticks all of my boxes. The poignant story that had me tearing up at times, the underdog character that you cannot help but root for and the fun stuff that makes you laugh. Dan is a wonderful character that grows over the course of the book and matures finding that he can just be himself not a stereotype or caricature. A lesson in self acceptance we could all use, and his desire to be optimistic despite hardships even hints at mental health struggles most kids that are branded different go through.
There are religious themes in the book as faith is part of the story, and larger themes like charity and community are bolstered through the lens of the congregations and churches. With the message of acceptance, of all types, being so strong in this book it becomes a must have for our library shelves.
As a side note both the author and illustrator are amazingly talented, we have some of their other works in our collection that I recommend to students, and this graphic novel only cements that opinion for me.