Little Women
Or Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy

By Louisa May Alcott

Color Illustrations by Jessie Willcox Smith
And Drawings by Frank T. Merrill

Jo March dreams of doing "something splendid . . . I don't know what, but I'm on the watch for it." The teenage Jo gaurds her freedom jealously, and we share her eagerness to taste adventure.

"I hate to think I've got to grow up, and be Miss March, and wear long
gowns, and look as prim as a China-aster! It's bad enough to be a girl,
anyway, when I like boys' games and work and manners!"

Watching Jo grow up, we identify with her struggle, and hope that she will find contentment without losing the courage of her passionate nature. She is her mother's "chestnut-burr, prickly outside, but silky-soft within."

In Little Women, Louisa May Alcott brought irresistibly to life the four March sisters, lovingly rendering their very different characters. Who can forget Beth conquering her fear to tiptoe through the great Laurence house to reach the promised piano? Or Jo selling her hair to contribute money to aid her father, fallen ill on a Civil War batterfield? Or Aut March unwittingly goading Meg into a decleration of her true feelings towards John Brooke? The individuality of these four young heroines and their deep caring for one another has been perfectly portrayed in the captivating color illustrations of Jessie Willcox Smith. . . . .

Ellen S. Shapiro
New York City
1986

This is just part of what Ellen S. Shapiro has to say in the forward in the beginning of the book "Little Women." I think this book is one of the best books that has ever been written, and after reading it for the first time, I yearned (I didn't actually yearn, but that word sounds cool :-)) for more. I then found the sequel, and then another sequel. This is an excellent book for everyone.

This is a great book. Right now I am in the process of reading it again (and you probably won't believe this but oh well) for the SEVENTH time!!!!! And if you're wondering where I get the time, well I read in the car, stay up late, and have done about four book-reports on it in my lifetime! Let's see that was 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, and this year, 8th grade! I have also read Little Men and Jo's Boys! And yes I do read- A LOT!      Aesha:)

I love the book Little Women. I think I've probably read it al least ten times. I first read it in 4th grade and loved it. Last year in 6th grade I read Little Men. It is my favorite book along with "Gone With The Wind".      C.D.

If you would like to comment on this book, e-mail me at littlemenfan@excite.com

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