An Old-Fashioned Girl (Puffin Classics) (Paperback)
by Louisa May Alcott
ISBN: 0140374493

Price: USD 5.99
139 used & new available from USD 0.10

When Polly Milton comes to stay with her cousin, Fanny Shaw and her wealthy family in the city, they find her old-fashioned ways to be unusual and strange. Polly wonders if she’ll ever be able to fit it, but then wonders which is better. Soon, the Shaws to realize that, even though Polly isn’t up to date on the social aspect of things, her genuine happiness and concern for others set her apart in a special way.

Another good Louisa May Alcott. Oh, and even though I categorized it as a long read, it isn’t a very long read. And it’s almost as if you could separate the book into two, because about halfway through, it skips ahead to six years later. This is definitely a book worth reading.

Little Men: Life at Plumfield with Jo’s Boys (Classic, Puffin) (Paperback)
by Louisa May Alcott
ISBN: 0140367136

Price: USD 4.99
170 used & new available from USD 0.10

When Jo inherits Plumfield from her gruff Aunt March, she and her husband, Professor Bhaer, set up a school for young boys. The following story is about the various adventures at Plumfield concerning the orphaned Nat, wild Dan, mischievous Tommy, and many others.

As the sequel to Little Women, this book certainly lives up to its expectations. A great book. Plumfield is a happy home where pillow-fighting and banister-sliding is allowed, but when it comes to matters of the heart, genuine love is to be found in all.

Jack and Jill: From the Original Publisher (Paperback)
by Louisa May Alcott
ISBN: 0316030848

Price: $0.16
29 used & new available from USD 0.16

Jack and Jill, two good friends, while sledding, suffer from a severe accident, which breaks Jack’s leg, and more seriously injures Jill’s back. The doctors say that Jack will be up and about again after a few weeks, but they’re afraid that Jill may remain an invalid for the rest of her life. This is the story of what Jack and Jill and their friends did while Jack recovers, and Jill builds hope.

I only rated this one three stars because I’ve read almost all of Louisa May Alcott’s books, and I know she’s done better, but I still enjoyed this one, and would recommend it to all L. M. Alcott fans.

Rose in Bloom (Puffin Classics) (Paperback)
by Louisa May Alcott
ISBN: 0140374515

Price: USD 5.99
123 used & new available from USD 0.10

This is the sequel to Eight Cousins. Rose is now a young woman, and learning of a whole new set of temptations and desires. Also, Rose is doing her best to encourage her cousins to be upright young men, and she is finding the job easier with some and harder with others. When what seems to be love finds Rose, will she be able to make the right decision?

Find out next time in the thrilling conclusion of . . . ! Oh, excuse me. Okay, as I was going to say, I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as Eight Cousins. (Ah-ha! you say, that explains the rating!) However, that was simply my personal opinion. Rose in Bloom is (listen carefully) a very good book. However, if you are considering reading it aloud, you should be prepared to have over nine different voices handy! It has some great parts, some good parts and a lot of just good old well-written parts. Please read it and enjoy. Although I will warn you, yes, someone dies in this story.

Eight Cousins (Puffin Classics) (Paperback)
by Louisa May Alcott
ISBN: 0140374566

Price: USD 5.99
162 used & new available from USD 0.10

An orphaned girl, Rose, has been living with her great aunts for a little while, and is now awaiting the arrival of her uncle (who is also to be her guardian) with a little trepidation. Her main worry is her cousins: seven boys. Having lived all her life with a father who was an invalid, she is not sure what to expect. Once she is barely settled in with Uncle Alec, she finds that her uncles’ and aunts’ opinions on bringing up a little girl differ greatly. Will Rose blossom or wither under the change?

I know, I know. That was a bad pun. I apologize. (Lopsided grin of the “I-know-it-was-bad-but-I’m-still-not-going-to-take-it-out” sort). Anyway, I really enjoyed this book. Even though I categorized it under all ages, it might not be as enjoyable for someone, say, eleven years and under. (Of course, tastes and interests vary.) The seven cousins are great! And the aunts! (Laughing) There are six of them, each with different traits. Some of them, like Aunt Myra kept me in stiches through the whole thing. A great book. Excuse the previous pun and enjoy.

Jo’s Boys (Bantam Classics) (Paperback)
by Louisa May Alcott
ISBN: 0553214497

Price: USD 4.95
144 used & new available from USD 0.10

In this, the final book chronicling the March family and their doings, Plumfield has grown up amazingly. They even have a college! The group of children from Little Men (the second book), star in this book, and are now young adults. Nan has become a promising doctor, Bess is more graceful and queenly then ever, Dan is still energetic and spontaneous, and many of the others are doing well. Jo’s Boys follows all of these young adults through their lives, ambitions, and yes, loves. Filled with humor and realistic experiences, this is a fitting climax to these wonderful books.

(Whew!) These books are hard to write reviews for! It must be a Louisa May Alcott thing. There is such an abundance of believability in them, mixed with humor and tragedy. And they follow so many different characters. But don’t think they’re confusing, on the contrary, they feel very natural and enjoyable. They can seem so real! Jo’s Boys itself is a fun book, hard to describe, but still great. Please read it, it is not to be missed.

Little Women (Signet Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)
by Louisa May Alcott
ISBN: 0451529308

Price: USD 3.95
234 used & new available from USD 0.10

Let me see, a book review that does this book justice? Practically impossible to write. Okay, how about partial justice? Sorry, can’t happen here. Alright, a review that hints in the barest possible way? I’ll have to stretch myself. In short, I can’t begin to describe how good this book is! The characters are so life-like and enjoyable.

This book is about a family. The father is away as a chaplain in the army, leaving the mother and four daughters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, at home by themselves. Meg is the oldest, Jo is tomboy-ish and dreams of being a great author, Beth is sweet, and Amy is an artist. They have all sorts of adventures in a wonderfully simple (or incredible) way. Please read this book. I haven’t even begun to give a vague hint of how great it is!

I will warn you girls, however, be prepared to cry! There is a very sad part. However, the rest can be absolutely hilarious! I’m going to go read it again right now.