Little Women

by Monica Kulling (adapted by), Louisa May Alcott

The four March sisters--Meg, Amy, Beth, and feisty Jo--share the joys and sorrows of growing up while their father is away at war. The family is poor in worldly goods, but rich in love and character.  

Genres: Fiction, Classics, Chapter Books, Historical

112 pages, Paperback

Published July 5, 1994

About the author

Monica Kulling was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. She received a BA in creative writing from the University of Victoria. Monica Kulling has published twenty-six fiction and nonfiction books for children, including picture books, poetry, and biographies. She is best known for introducing biography to children just learning to read and has written about Harriet Tubman, Houdini, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Amelia Earhart among others. Monica Kulling lives in Toronto, Canada.

Reviews

[Janine]

Somehow, I had never read. Love so many things about the '94 movie (unfortunately the 19th century feminism and snarky marmie were not in the book), but really enjoy a lot of the characters moreso from the book - particularly Jo and Teddy, and the family/sister bond.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

As my twins approached their sixth birthday, one asked for an IPAD and the other one asked for the new Nintendo DS. An intervention was obviously in order. Enter: Little Women. The Stepping Stones edition of Little Women has made this timeless classic accessible for even my three year old. Written at a second grade reading level and briefly touching on the highlights from the original Louisa May Alcott edition, this adaptation should be in the library of every young reader.

Four poor sisters, one hard working mom, and one father at war. A quick read of this moving story promptly put the kibosh on all high tech birthday gift wish lists. We'll see how long it lasts...

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

No wonder my grandmother loved this classic tale so! The characters are all so sweet and unique! I also love how this was a light read, yet it did not cut out anything important, remaining true to the original. I couldn’t put this one down!

[Danielle Pettey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally didn't mean to get the children's version, but still pleasant nonetheless 😊

[Laura Cozicar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grabbed this book from the library early today and quickly read it. It as a simple little story and quite charming. I must say I was expecting much more from a literary classic so I went back to the library app and discovered this was an adaptation of the classic, a simple retelling of a much larger book. Well now that I have the general storyline, I find that I must read the original classic.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most popular books ever written about childhood charmingly recounts the homelife of four sisters: literary-minded Jo March; Meg, the older sister who marries a young tutor; fashionable and artistic Amy; and gentle, musically inclined Beth. An unforgettable depiction of mid-19th century New England life. Abridged.

[Jenifer Beldue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Story

I have always loved the story of Little Women through the movies. When this shows up on The Great American Read i downloaded it but clearly downloaded the young readers edition. Still holds water.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a prime example of how voice talent can make or break a book. Some of the story was so slow paced, that it couldn’t keep my attention for more than a few seconds. But when my audiobook loan expired and I had to finish the last few chapters in ebook form, I found myself enjoying it again.

[Kae · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delight

I enjoyed this book the whole way through. It shows a difficult yet simple life. Times before technology took over when friends and loved ones were your treasures instead of objects.

[Sean Sheridan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to clarify: I have not read the actual little women, but I will after reading the shortened adaptation. The adaptation has no depth to the characters and seems to skirt the important things the book supposedly goes in depth into. Hope I didn’t ruin the real story with a shortened piece!!

[Esther]

Was never a fan...

[Ashlea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it so much! I want to kiss it.

[Cindy aka "The Book Fairy" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect start to introduce kids to the classics..

[Megan Vande · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the original version. I’ll be rereading the actual book.

[Lori]

I've loved this book for years! Always a favorite at Christmas time.

[Becoming feminine women · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dankbarkeit, Mut, Lebensfreude in ein kleines Büchlein gepackt.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow I have never read the is book and it feels impossible to find the actual book and not a children’s version on Libby. So, this is a quick little read aloud.

[Jeannie N Sommers · Rating 3 out of 5]

After I started reading this book, I realized it was a child’s Persian. I really want to read the original work as I love the movie

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Category: easy reader
Author: Louisa May Alcott
Title: Little Women
Publisher: 1994 Random House
ISBN: 0-679-86175-0
Genre: classic, historic fiction
Reading level: grade 3 and up

This book is the short chaper, or easy reader, version of the beloved classic. It is highly readable, with large print and short chapters, yet retains the essence of the full-length novel. It is, of course, the story of the March sisters who live in a modest but proud home in Concord, Massachusettes during the nineteenth century. As with most families, the sisters differ greatly in their personalities: Jo is independent and quick tempered, Meg is nurturing, Beth loves quiet and is introspective and the youngest Amy is somewhat indulgent and eager to grow up. The sisters share a love for their mother Marme, their father who is fighting in the war, and their neighbor friend Laurie. Although it is not as detailed as the full-lenghth version of the story, this book gives the reader a look at daily happenings as well as special moments in the lives of the March sisters. Their courage, faith and love for one another still comes through loud and clear. I read this book with my young daughter; we took turns reading it to one another. She loved it and now she knows why her middle name is Jo.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

they are girls turning in women. They survive in poverty without thier father but with love and kindness

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eliza's first chapter book!

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The version I read was not the full book, more like an excerpt for children moving into chapter books. Overall it was an easy read that I think most young girls would enjoy.

[Jehcutie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Book Club book!

[Deborah Harris]

AR Quiz No. 83446 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 3.4 - AR Pts: 2.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP

[Liz PH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn’t realize this was the 2nd grade reading level book but oh well, I wanted a little women refresher and I got it lol

[Tori (Book Chick) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very simplified, but I enjoyed reading it with my daughter. She really thought it was great.