Little Women

Module 2 - Janurary 25-31

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Summary:
This book takes his into the lives of the four girls of the March family: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. The setting takes place during the Civil War and shows how the girls and their mother cope with the hard times as the father is off at war. The story follows these girls through their adolecent years as they follow their own very different paths to find love, peace, and true happiness.

Thoughts of a Book Worm:
I thought this was a beautifully written book that truly inserts the reader into the setting with this close family. I enjoyed getting to know the individual personalities of the four sisters. This book reminds me of the ties I have to my own sister. Although their family ties are strong - they soon learn that they must each follow their own path to happiness. The style of writing/language is different from more contemporary writers - so younger readers may find themselves reading this book a little slower to gain the full understanding of the text.

Reviews:
"Many of us grew up reading Louisa May Alcott's books and lived vicariously in the world of Jo March and her family. They struggle to make ends meet during the Civil War, and gave to those who had even less. Jo befriended and in turn was befriended by Mr. Laurence and his grandson. She struggles mightily to control her temper and battles to break out of the decorum society imposed on women. She never loses her spirit and even in this much-abridged version of the story, the warmth and caring which epitomized the March family shines through. Gerver has retained the essence of Alcott's story, and this version is filled with wonderful period and those that depict life during the Civil War. For today's readers this may be as close as they will come to Alcott, but it is my hope that interest will be piqued and that her other books (Little Men, Jo's Boys, Rose in Bloom, etc.) will soon find their way into readers hands." 1999, Marilyn Courtot - Children's Literature

Activities:
This story would make a great lead in to discussion about how life was different during the time of the Civil War. Students could research different aspects such as : clothing, food, social expecations, economic classes, how the Civil War affected families, and how men and women helped out during the war to name a few.

Another activity, geared for girls, would be to have the girls pick one of the characters that they can relate to the most. Have the students discuss why they chose this character, giving examples from the book.

Biography: Alcott, L. M. (1996). Little women. New York: Viking.