Little Women

Little Women. By Louisa May Alcott. Penguin Classics, 1989. 544 pages. PB $9.OO ISBN 978-0140390698

Summary: The March sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy  – miss their father, who is fighting as part of the Northern front during the Civil War. Though money is scarce in the March household the girls are happy and safe, binding together with their philanthropic mother to brighten the lives of the less fortunate in their community. The girls form a lasting friendship with Laurie their next-door neighbor. Each March girl nourishes different longings. Meg, the oldest, dreams of being married and starting a family, while the youngest, Amy, nourishes hopes of becoming a world-renowned artist. Jo aspires to be a writer, and Meg, the quietest, holds an affinity towards music and her family.

Critical Review: Gifted tween readers will cherish the opportunity to read the unabbreviated edition of Alcott’s classic novel. Between the covers of this tome, girls will find everything they are searching for: romance, familial warmth, and career advice. Alcott demonstrates the potential of rising above inauspicious beginnings, the ability of coaxing cheerfulness from misery, and the beauty of sharing our blessings with others. Girls who enjoy L.M. Montgomery’s novels will probably enjoy Alcott’s as well. Jo March is similar to Emily Starr and Anne Shirley. All women set high standards for themselves, and have high self-esteem. These literary characters are wonderful role models for tween girls.

Genre: Friendship

Reading/Interest Level: 10-14years

Similar Materials: L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gable Series, and Emily of New Moon Series

Subjects/Themes: Sisterhood; Families; Nineteenth-Century New England; Civil War – Northern Side; Authors; Artists

Character Names: Meg March; Jo March; Amy March; Beth March; Mr. and Mrs. March; Lawrence ; Mr. James Lawrence; John Brooke; Mrs. Kirke; Professor Friedrich Baher; Franz and Emil; Aunt Josephine March; Hannah Mullet

Brief Annotation: The aspirations of four New England sisters are chronicled in this Civil War era novel.