Book description
'As they sat together in the twilight, talking over their small
plans, the future always grew so beautiful and bright'
Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy have grown up together in Orchard House with
their friend Laurie next door, and now it's time for them to go out
and find their places in the big wide world, to do the great and
marvellous things they've dreamed of and discover their 'castles in
the air'. They each find themselves tested, and fall in love, but when
tragedy strikes they find their best comfort is in each other, and home.
BACKSTORY: Learn more about the unusual author and have a go at
making jam!
Louisa May Alcott was born on 29 November 1832 in Pennsylvania, and
she grew up with plenty of books to read but seldom enough to eat.
Louisa went to work when she was very young as a paid companion and
teacher, but she loved writing most of all, and like Jo March she
started selling sensational stories in order to help provide financial
support for her family. She worked as a nurse during the American Civil
War but the experience made her extremely ill. Little Women was
published in 1868 and was based on her life growing up with her three
sisters. She followed it with three sequels,
Good Wives
(1869),
Little Men
(1871) and
Jo's Boys
(1886) and she also wrote other books for both children and adults.
Louisa was also a campaigner for women's rights and the abolition of the
slave trade. She died on 6 March 1888.
