As it gets harder for the older siblings Miss Marilla Cuthbert and Mr. Matthew Cuthbert to take care of their farm on Prince Edward Island, they decide to adopt a young boy to help them out. Meanwhile a misunderstanding occurs and instead of sending a boy, the orphanage sends them the 11-year-old spunky Anne Shirley instead. Initially Marilla and Matthew plan to send Anne back to the orphanage, but they soon realize that they need her as much as she needs them.