Anne of Green Gables is a 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery (published as L. M. Montgomery). Written for all ages, it has been considered a classic children`s novel since the mid-20th century. Set in the late 19th century, the novel recounts the adventures of Anne Shirley , an 11-year-old orphan girl, who is sent by mistake to two middle-aged siblings, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, who had originally intended to adopt a boy to help them on their farm in the fictional town of Avonlea in Prince Edward Island , Canada . The novel recounts how Anne makes her way through life with the Cuthberts, in school, and within the town.