Lucia Monfried

Being pretty unfamiliar with the 19th century and what life was like back then, reading this book made me understand just a little bit more. The sisters themselves go through so much hardship, losing loved ones along the way, but they stick together and find that being strong TOGETHER is what is most important to them. Life was simpler back then, but what was considered "the better life" is similar to what we think today when we think people need to have money, fashion, and a rich partner to show more be happy. These girls learn that that is not all that is important. The copy that I have includes black and white illustrations that are simple but gets a point across with each chapter that goes by. There's probably at least once picture in every chapter, giving me a vague picture of what some of the characters might look like. show less

(4.5 / 5)

I knew the story fairly well already, having seen the 1994 movie adaptation, though I've never read the original book (yet). My daughter was new to the story though, and overall, she really enjoyed it. The rating reflects how much she liked it, and the missing half a star was because she was super disappointed that Jo and Laurie didn't end up together.

Though I worried that much of what I was reading to her was going to go above her head, even with the adaptation, she was able to show more understand most of it as we went. Or if she didn't understand something, she didn't really realize that she didn't. Now and then I'd stop and explain something that I thought she might not get (usually because of vernacular that is not in use these days) or that she questioned as we went.

I would recommend this book for children around 8-12, with the extra note that with younger kids, it might be helpful (and enjoyable) to read it with a parent or older sibling/friend. show less

The warmhearted story of the four March sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy growing up in 19th century America. Their happy family life is disturbed when their father leaves for the Civil War, and shaken further when mother must leave to nurse their wounded father back to health. But family love and loyalty keeps them together. As the years pass the girls become women and learn more about life and love. Louisa May Alcott's timeless classic shows the joys of growing up in a warm and loving family.

The warmhearted story of the four March sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy growing up in 19th century America. Their happy family life is disturbed when their father leaves for the Civil War, and shaken further when mother must leave to nurse their wounded father back to health. But family love and loyalty keeps them together. As the years pass the girls become women and learn more about life and love. Louisa May Alcott's timeless classic shows the joys of growing up in a warm and loving family.