Little Women

by Deanna McFadden (Editor), Louisa May Alcott, Lucy Corvino (Illustrator)

Following Sterling's spectacularly successful launch of its children's classic novels (240,000 books in print to date),comes a dazzling new series: Classic Starts. The stories are abridged; the quality is complete. Classic Starts treats the world's beloved tales (and children) with the respect they deserve--all at an incomparable price.

Louisa May Alcott's classic novel, set during the Civil War, has always captivated even the most reluctant readers. Little girls, especially, love following the adventures of the four March sisters--Meg, Beth, Amy, and most of all, the tomboy Jo--as they experience the joys and disappointments, tragedies and triumphs, of growing up. This simpler version captures all the charm and warmth of the original.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens, Audiobook, American

160 pages, Hardcover

Published March 1, 2005

About the author

Publishing Director, Wattpad Books. Reader. Sometime writer. Mother. Wife. Never in that order. Will often find me reading and walking, which isn't as remotely dangerous as it sounds.

Reviews

[Lilli Gilliam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very excited to read this book atre hearing wonderful things about it. It dawned on me that this book is the children's version.
The book itself was a little everywhere, and I wasn't sure if I liked the characters. The ending was weird for me, and I found myself wanting more form the book.

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,q5 stars- English Ebook

Review follows later.

[Kelly McLane]

I don’t really know how to rate this book! I’m so glad there is an abridged version I could read to my daughter at this point, but I was disappointed with the writing and storytelling. Having just read the Little House books it was a bit of a let down. However, the story and relationships in it are still there and it’s great that a younger reader can get into the classics early. I think in the future I will just hold out until my child is ready for the real deal! I look forward to reading Little Women, unabridged :).

[Kira Shimura · Rating 5 out of 5]

i recently bought this book from a book sale, and there wasn't really a lot of books, so I picked this. it is about how 4 sisters (eldest to youngest) Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy face life, argue, forgive and survive the despairs their lives bring from girls to young little women

[Kitty Liu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The background of the story is about four sisters who lived with their mother. And the period is about US civil war. Four sisters had different personal understanding to the life. I feel that I was like Jo when I read this book at first time, she is the tomboy. She is easily to anger and against the other power, I did these too. Just like against my parents ,teachers, sometimes even good friends. In my spiritual world , I love Beth . She is that kind of person I really want to be. She is cute, love peace, quiet ,gentle, sweet ,shy and musical. I know that is a chinese ancient queto “Too deep emotion shortens the life span; too much intelligence gets oneself hurt.” Beth did it. This is sign for express woman' "self-sacrifice", this is much more harder than all the rebellion behavior. These plot always makes me cry, even the movie was suck.

[AlexNms · Rating 2 out of 5]

Αν πω οτι πίστευα πως θα τελείωνα αυτό το βιβλίο σε μια καθισιά και τελικά μου πήρε σχεδόν μια εβδομάδα; 🫠 Μόνο 84 σελίδες ήταν και μάλιστα παιδική έκδοση της κανονικής ιστορίας αλλά δυσκολευόμουν αρκετά να συγκεντρωθώ. Θεωρώ πως δεν μπήκα καθόλου στο κλίμα του βιβλίου. Είχα δει την ταινία πριν κάτι χρόνια και δεν με είχε ενθουσιάσει για να είμαι ειλικρινής. 🫣 Τώρα που διάβασα και το βιβλίο (έστω την παιδική έκδοση), έχω να πω ότι ούτε αυτό με ενθουσίασε.

[Jenny King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to my 4.5 yr old daughter! We both absolutely loved it!

[anam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book has a inspiring story, this book takes time in a year. I think it's pretty good!, I also have been thinking " Maybe I should make some books too!". Amazing book!

[Brooke ♥booklife4life♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review: Little Women! Basic InfoFormat: Audio
Pages/Length: n/a
Genre: Young Adult; Historical Fiction
Reason For Reading: #3 on YA Top 100
 
At A GlanceLove Triangle/Insta Love/Obsession?: Eh.
Cliff Hanger: No
Triggers: n/a
Rating: 2.5 stars
 
Score SheetAll out of ten
 
Cover: 6
Plot: 4
Characters: 5
World Building: 5
Flow: 5
Series Congruity: n/a
Writing: 5
Ending: 5
 
Total: 5
 
In DeptBest Part: Eh
Worst Part: Talking, talking, talking.
Thoughts Had: DO SOMETHING!
 
ConclusionContinuing the Series: eh
Recommending: eh
 
Short Review: I'm sorry, maybe i'm a bitter girl who is mad i can never keep girlfriends, but damn, girls are horrible. They just sit around and talk, and talk, and talk. I was bored out of my mind. Their father is sick, so their mother, who i guess is the only reason they can get along, leaves to go be with him, which is like the last time you'll hear about it, and that's the end of a "plot" for me. They just talk. The one girl goes someone and a few chapters is just her letters she sent home! Ugh. I was so bored. I couldn't connect to any of them. Boring.
 
Misc.
 
Book Boyfriend: Idk.
Best Friend Material: None.

[Connie Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the children’s book. Lol. I’ve seen the movie a handful of times. Plan to read an adult volume in the future.

[LucyAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story of the four March girls is one of my favorites are

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

This adaptation is true in spirit to the original. It only covers the first half of the novel- the original Little Women. The adapter did a nice job summarizing the preaching. I found the vocabulary is still a little too difficult for most 8-10 year olds. I may give this to my 10 year old niece and see what she thinks. The illustrations are black and white sketches. I feel indifferent about them. They are not exceptional but they're not terrible. There should be more illustrations. In the back there are discussion questions for the reader to think about. I would probably recommend waiting until the reader is old enough to read the original and skip the adaptation but as an adaptation I enjoyed it.

[Stephen Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great abridgment for your little ones that love Alcott’s story but couldn’t tackle the original’s higher reading level. I found that it holds closely to the story and spirit of the original, and my ten year old that loves classics of this nature is loving having the ability to read it. I’ve begrudged abridged books before, but I’ve had to modify my opinion as I’ve seen this one only deepen my daughter’s love for the story and reading.

[natalie grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only gave this book three stars because I think it was very rushed and the ending was quick. I know it’s an abridged version so I expected that though.
Otherwise I would give the story five stars! It was so cute and lighthearted. I definitely loved the friendship between Laurie and Jo; I thought it was so refreshing seeing boys and girls able to just be friends and nothing romantic. I really want to read the unabridged version now ☺️☺️☺️

[charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was surprisingly difficult to get into, but once I did I couldn't stop reading. definitely a good book, I loved it

[Karoline Aaland · Rating 2 out of 5]

*retold. Hadde denne kortversjonen liggande og det var mange referansar til den i “Seven husbands of Evely Hugo”.

Kjapp times lesing, usikker om eg skal orke å lese den fulle versjonen.

[Ashley Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always loved this book, was fun reading to my children but Beth always makes me cry. 😭

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I NEED to read the original.

[Shaylin Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this edition many times 🫠

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am finally logging all the books I read earlier in the year, it's been on my to do list lol

[Claire Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book taught me that it doesn’t matter if you are poor or rich we are all still people. That means if you see someone poor don’t be rude because they are people too.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful introduction to one of my favorite stories for my girls, ages 6 and 9. A lot of "Meg said..." "Jo said...," which was a bit jarring when reading aloud, but my girls didn't notice.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic, and this time I enjoyed augmenting my reading with facts from Lousia May Alcott's real life. Turns out my chief complaint with the book- that it is too overly moralistic- was also what Louisa disliked about it. Makes me like her better.

[Katie Noblitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Little Women" (Classic Starts) is a historical fiction novel adapted from the original version of the story by Louisa May Alcott. This story centers around four sisters, Jo, Amy, Beth, and Meg, who grow up during the Civil War in New England. The girl's father is away at war, so they must learn to support their mother and take on greater responsibility, while still hang on to the joys of youth. The story shines a light on the themes of family, following dreams, tragedy, and love and would best be read by third through fifth graders!

This novel was a WOW book for me because of the special bond the characters have as a family and because of all of the important themes the book touches on. Moreover, I fell in love with the characters as soon as I met them. Jo is an incredible writer who finds love she was not expecting to. Meg, a kind and caring older sister, prepares for a life and family of her own. Amy follows her dreams and travels abroad and Beth is the joy of the family who learns to deal with hardship.

In my future classroom, I will use this book to discuss the time period in which the book is set. I think it would be very beneficial to my students, if they were to read this book in alignment with learning about the Civil War in social studies curriculum. This way, students could experience what it would have been like to grow up during this time, while learning the historical facts about the time period as well. Moreover, I will use this book in EL curriculum to discuss the genre of fiction with my students. It will be important that the students learn the difference between fiction and nonfiction stories and this book would be great practice in deciphering between the two. Students would note that although many characteristics of the story are based in truth (hardships that came with the Civil War and culture of this time), the story is not a true story.

[Aaron Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Little Women" is a timeless classic that follows the lives of the March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they navigate through adolescence into adulthood during the Civil War era. Louisa May Alcott's masterful storytelling weaves together themes of love, family, and independence, creating a heartfelt narrative that resonates with readers of all ages. The characters are richly developed, each with their own distinct personalities and aspirations. Alcott's portrayal of sisterhood and the bond between the March sisters is both heartwarming and inspiring. "Little Women" is a captivating tale that continues to capture the hearts of readers, making it a must-read for anyone looking for a timeless story of love, friendship, and coming-of-age.

[Carol Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book as a very young teen, and loved it. 40 plus years later I read it again. I started reading it with a somewhat jaded eye which did not last long. I was quickly swept up in the comfort of the March Family. I laughed and cried in all the correct places which means I still think this is a great classic.

[Halah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didnt like it. But then again, I read it 8 years ago..
But I remember reading selected parts of it multiple times. Even though I didn't like it as a whole.

[VC O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book of innocence and family, it is very.
I like the book is excellent.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! My favorite part is when Beth gets the fever! 🤒

[Canette Arille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pedagogical literature. I think it is a literary curiosity. There are positive and negative characters. The book is interesting, but sometimes I wanted to put it down. You can read it.