Louisa May Alcott

In the March family, Little Women follows the lives of four sisters-tomboyish Jo, beautiful Meg, fragile Beth, and romantic Amy-as they come of age while their father is fighting in the Civil War. Since 1868, readers have rooted for Laurie in his pursuit of Jo's hand, cried over the family's tragedy, and dreamed of traveling through Europe with old Aunt March and Amy. In this simple, enthralling tale, Louisa May Alcott has created four of American literature's most beloved women.

With two young sons of her own, and twelve rescued orphan boys filling the unusual school at Plumfield, Jo March - now Mrs Jo Bhaer - couldn't be happier. But the boys have a habit of getting into scrapes, and their mischievous antics call for the warm and affectionate support of the whole March family to help avoid disaster...

In one of Louisa May Alcott’s most charming but lesser known novels, Eight Cousins, 13-year-old Rose Campbell must move to Boston and live with her wealthy relatives and their large families after the death of her father. Lonely and timid, she is overwhelmed by the attention of her aunts and the energy of her eight male cousins who range in age from six to sixteen. But, under the compassionate care and guidance of her guardian, Uncle Alec, she begins to flourish and grow to love her eccentric, extended family. A classic coming-of-age story of a young American girl, Alcott weaves in lessons in morality and equality in an engaging, whimsical way. 288 pages, softcover. Ages 8 and up.

In this sequel to Louisa May Alcott’s classic, Eight Cousins, Rose and her friend Phebe navigate the excitement of glamorous society as young women: Rose as a wealthy heiress and Phebe who is always aware of her origins as a housemaid.  With new suitors and friends, Rose must learn to identify the people who like her from those who like her money. Phebe struggles to build a life that she is proud of without depending upon Rose’s generosity. But their new lives are hindered when loved ones are put in harm’s way by illness and reckless decisions. As Rose and Phebe rise to the occasion, they discover for themselves who they really are, who they want to become, and where their treasure truly is. 352 pages, softcover. Ages 8 and up.

Beautifully illustrated with vintage pen-and-ink illustrations, Alcott's Fairy Stories are a wonderful set of stories to introduce to fairy-loving children. A handy size with art nouveau cover, this will be a welcome addition to an adult or child's library. 210 pages, hardcover.

Two rather young women, Amy and Helen, traveling with an older uncle, are doing the "tour" of Europe, and are supposedly soaking up education but secretly yearning for adventures and romance. At this wish for adventure, a pair of gloves suddenly drops beside them from a balcony above their hotel room near Coblentz. Ah, whose gloves? The two young men who enter the lives of these ladies are rich and eligible adventurers traveling through Europe, and agree to play a prank on the young women by becoming aides to their uncle.

This is Alcott's account of her experiences as a nurse during the Civil War in a Washington D.C. hospital. The sketches are taken "from letters hastily written in the few leisure moments of a very busy life," and so maintain the immediacy and force of their author.

Seven children on an early New Hampshire farm decide to prepare the holiday dinner by themselves. "Filled with lively, homely, good-humored details . . . and the true spirit of Thanksgiving".--The Horn Book.

Her first novel, The Inheritance was unpublished until found by Professors Myerson and Shealy. Greatly influenced by the gothic and sentimental novels of the time, Alcott's enchanting novel follows Edith Adelon, an Italian orphan who inherits the estate in which she is a paid companion. Explore the tenous signs of a burgeoning classic author as her virtuous and charming heroine goes about to win her inheritance through respect and loyalty. 147 pages, softcover.