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Becoming Jo
Meg, Jo, Beth and four sisters whose stories are forever imprinted in our hearts. But what if their stories had different endings? Reimagined by bestselling author Sophie McKenzie and told throughthe eyes of everybody's favourite sister, Becoming Jo perfectly captures the magic, exuberance and spirit of the original and much-loved book. Over 150 years after its publication, Becoming Jo proves just how timeless the characters and themes found within Little Women really are.
336 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2019
8 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Sophie McKenzie
83 books1,484 followersHey there! Welcome to my Goodreads page where you can keep up with all my stories - both the ones that are already published and the works in progress!!
I write mostly teen thrillers - plus some teen romance, books for younger children and four adult psychological thrillers.
I'm really excited right now because of...
Boy, Missing, my £1 book for World Book Day and Truth or Dare, my new teen thriller. (UK)
For more info on these and my other books, check out my website: www.sophiemckenziebooks.com
I write mostly teen thrillers - plus some teen romance, books for younger children and four adult psychological thrillers.
I'm really excited right now because of...
Boy, Missing, my £1 book for World Book Day and Truth or Dare, my new teen thriller. (UK)
For more info on these and my other books, check out my website: www.sophiemckenziebooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 26, 2019
With the anniversary of Little Women coming up and the fact that renditions of classic stories are one of my favorite tropes, I grabbed from the library a handful of Little Women renditions. This one found in our children's fiction section is called Becoming Jo. We have the four sisters as usual and Mrs. March who works as a social worker for refugees and Mr. March is over in the army working as a humanitarian Minister. Like the originals we have the four sisters loving their different hobbies from Jo being our writer, Amy - the spoiled younger sister, Beth - the pianist and Meg - the fashionista. Our main male lead comes in the form of Lateef who was a refugee from Iraq. Like the original Lateef and Jo hit it off and become the best of friends only for Amy to be jealous and since we are in the modern world she deletes all Jo's writing off the computer and the back-ups. This part unlike the many times I've read it when I was younger, I felt so much grief for Jo as I know what it would be like to lose all that hard work and never get it back. Also in the original we see Amy fall off the horse and in this book, she gets sideswiped by a car. Beth learns to play the Piano with Lateef's Uncle Jim. Becoming Jo by Sophie McKenzie would be a great way to introduce young girls aged 8+ to Little Women.
October 2, 2019
страхотен модерен преразказ на така обичаната класика "Малки жени"! определено ми беше много приятно да видя как момичетата са представени в 21 век, но ми липсваше старовремската атмосфера от оригиналната книга.
August 26, 2019
Sweet enough. Cute. But just too close to the original for me.
I feel that when you do a retelling it should still be slightly different and original. This felt like a play by play or the source material.
I feel that when you do a retelling it should still be slightly different and original. This felt like a play by play or the source material.
February 18, 2020
I felt like the concept really wasn't very well executed here, it was a nice idea and I love a modem day retelling, but I disliked how it turned out. Little Women is best left in the past.
June 6, 2019
In this retelling of classic Little Women made modern, we see from the perspective of aspiring writer Jo, as she befriends a guy her age called Lateef whom is an immigrant orphan living across the road from her family with his foster dad who lost his family too. He's richer than Jo and her family.
Amy is quite superficial wanting a nose job and to fit in and find friends as well as enjoy making art and painting.
Beth is shy and quiet loving to play piano but not in front of others and needs to find her confidence.
Meg dreams of being a nanny as she loves kids but feels judged by Jo who though she wanted to be a designer as she's good with styling.
Jo of course wants to be an author.
As the novel progresses, Jo and Amy come to blows about her writing, a fall out over money with Lateef leaves Jo feeling sad and of course the girls deal with many issues as their dad gets sick abroad working and has to leave them in the care of their aunt they don't like!
However each girls discovers her true path in life and Lateef stuns Jo with a revelation she didn't see coming. For the sisters, illness, crushes, college and writing all push them apart but ultimately they'll be stronger for it I feel.
Amy is quite superficial wanting a nose job and to fit in and find friends as well as enjoy making art and painting.
Beth is shy and quiet loving to play piano but not in front of others and needs to find her confidence.
Meg dreams of being a nanny as she loves kids but feels judged by Jo who though she wanted to be a designer as she's good with styling.
Jo of course wants to be an author.
As the novel progresses, Jo and Amy come to blows about her writing, a fall out over money with Lateef leaves Jo feeling sad and of course the girls deal with many issues as their dad gets sick abroad working and has to leave them in the care of their aunt they don't like!
However each girls discovers her true path in life and Lateef stuns Jo with a revelation she didn't see coming. For the sisters, illness, crushes, college and writing all push them apart but ultimately they'll be stronger for it I feel.
August 2, 2019
Jo March and her family struggle through two tumultuous years, dealing with their father being away and then injured, Beth falling ill, annoying Aunt Em and everyone's ambitions for the future. Aided by Lateef, the boy next door, Jo tries to find her place in the world.
I wasn't too sure when I started this retelling; some of them take such huge liberties with the original text that they might as well be new works. However, Sophie has very cleverly translated the basic structure of Little Women's characters and events into a modern setting. I loved the little nods - John Brooke College, for one - and the overall tone was wonderful. I'd love to see a box set of this and Little Women! Or, Sophie, how about looking at some other classics? I've always loved A Little Princess... :D
I received a gift of this book and chose to write an honest review.
I wasn't too sure when I started this retelling; some of them take such huge liberties with the original text that they might as well be new works. However, Sophie has very cleverly translated the basic structure of Little Women's characters and events into a modern setting. I loved the little nods - John Brooke College, for one - and the overall tone was wonderful. I'd love to see a box set of this and Little Women! Or, Sophie, how about looking at some other classics? I've always loved A Little Princess... :D
I received a gift of this book and chose to write an honest review.
December 27, 2019
I thought this was a really good retelling. It kept the spirit of the book, in a believable contemporary setting, without the outdated preachiness of the original.
Read
August 7, 2019I checked this book out from BorrowBox without realising that it was written for young adults. Perhaps it should have been obvious, particularly since ‘Little Women’ is, in a sense, a proto-YA book, but it took me a little while to catch on, so at first I found the prose style quite alienating. When I realised that I wasn’t the target demographic, this made more sense. I decided to keep reading, as I was interested to see how McKenzie would deal with various plot points from the original book (or books, since in Britain ‘Little Women’ was published in two volumes, as ‘Little Women’ and ‘Good Wives’). I was particularly impressed with how she approached Meg and Beth’s storylines, bringing them up to date while still remaining truthful to the spirit of the original characters. I also liked the fact that the Laurie character, here called Lateef, was an Iraqi refugee, and that the refugee experience was incorporated into the book (though it doesn’t really acknowledge the long-term effects of the kind of trauma Lateef has suffered, and his background frequently seems incidental).
There were a couple of things I found odd: the story is set in England, and McKenzie is English, yet some (but not all) of the vocabulary is in American English. This made me wonder whether editorial changes had been made in an attempt to increase international appeal, or if it’s just because younger people are all speaking American English these days.
This would be a good choice for older children who are/were fans of Jacqueline Wilson, assuming children are still reading Jacqueline Wilson these days (I hope so!). It might also be a good introduction to ‘Little Women’ for children who are reluctant to read an old book, or a nice supplement for those who are already fans.
Incidentally, a couple of days before finishing this book I heard a ‘This American Life’ story about a woman who was held captive in Pakistan during her teenage years, and whose only book was ‘Little Women’, which she had to hide under her mattress. It was a really moving evocation of the power of literature which I’d highly recommend—the episode is number 680, ‘The Weight of Words’, and you can listen to it online or download it as a podcast.
There were a couple of things I found odd: the story is set in England, and McKenzie is English, yet some (but not all) of the vocabulary is in American English. This made me wonder whether editorial changes had been made in an attempt to increase international appeal, or if it’s just because younger people are all speaking American English these days.
This would be a good choice for older children who are/were fans of Jacqueline Wilson, assuming children are still reading Jacqueline Wilson these days (I hope so!). It might also be a good introduction to ‘Little Women’ for children who are reluctant to read an old book, or a nice supplement for those who are already fans.
Incidentally, a couple of days before finishing this book I heard a ‘This American Life’ story about a woman who was held captive in Pakistan during her teenage years, and whose only book was ‘Little Women’, which she had to hide under her mattress. It was a really moving evocation of the power of literature which I’d highly recommend—the episode is number 680, ‘The Weight of Words’, and you can listen to it online or download it as a podcast.
April 18, 2021
✨ "I don't think you can force yourself to love anyone. That sells both of you short."
Overall, this was a fun and enjoyable retelling of a great classic. The characters were pretty accurate: Jo is loud and clumsy and writes fanfiction, Beth is quiet and kind and loves the piano, Amy wants pretty things, Photoshop Lightroom and a nose job.
Surprisingly, Amy shines the most in this version and I like her a lot. She has all the classic traits from the original novel, but also displays a lot of character and growth in this retelling. Her being Aunt Em's choice for her trip to Europe makes a lot more sense and is much more natural here.
On the other hand, Jo is a lot less likeable this time because she's so much more rude, abrasive and narrow-minded. She forces her beliefs on other people and stomps on their feelings.
Nevertheless, this was a really cool retelling!
February 16, 2020
now, THIS felt like little women. maybe a little bit more firmly in the kids!lit section than i would put the original LW, but the characters really felt like the characters from the original, except in a modern setting. and while i'm not as familiar with the UK setting rather than the usual massachusetts one, i feel like it works. i really liked how much the story included amy and beth, because i think because they're the youngest there's something of a tendency to ignore them because their personal growth at that age is more limited, but in this book it really did feel like they were part of everything that was happening and i appreciate it.
the twist on john brooke/meg made me chuckle-- i feel like because everything about that was kept under wraps due to meg's hesitation to confide in jo, it almost felt for a while there like meg was being a little left out, but then the reveal of the twist worked so i quite liked that. lateef was a brilliant twist on laurie for the modern age, and i really loved his relationship with jo, although, of course, it always hurts like hell that they don't end up together, but i've learned to deal with that by this point in my life, i guess. :P (the lateef/amy hints do kind of squick me more in a modern setting than they even do in the civil war setting, though, but i can't fault the author for that since it's basically straight from the original).
all in all, this just left me feeling the same feelings the original little women did, and for that alone i would love it. pretty good read, and definitely a great one for the kids as well if you have 'em!
the twist on john brooke/meg made me chuckle-- i feel like because everything about that was kept under wraps due to meg's hesitation to confide in jo, it almost felt for a while there like meg was being a little left out, but then the reveal of the twist worked so i quite liked that. lateef was a brilliant twist on laurie for the modern age, and i really loved his relationship with jo, although, of course, it always hurts like hell that they don't end up together, but i've learned to deal with that by this point in my life, i guess. :P (the lateef/amy hints do kind of squick me more in a modern setting than they even do in the civil war setting, though, but i can't fault the author for that since it's basically straight from the original).
all in all, this just left me feeling the same feelings the original little women did, and for that alone i would love it. pretty good read, and definitely a great one for the kids as well if you have 'em!
March 10, 2019
In this re-telling of the children’s classic, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy have to move to a smaller house in another town because their mother has lost her job, thus they are forced to share rooms and struggle to make ends meet. Their father is working abroad as a Humanist minister with British troops in Syria and Skypes every weekend.
The story is told by Jo, a slightly overbearing character, not interested in clothes or boys, and who wants to be a writer. Meg is very fashionable but has decided she wants to work with children despite Jo being convinced she should be a designer; Beth is quiet and loving; Amy is the youngest, more perceptive than people realise. The story revolves around sibling arguments especially as Jo is convinced she knows what is best for everyone; making new friends with Amy struggling to fit into the "cool set" and being subjected to bullying; Jo becoming friends with Lateef, an adopted refugee, who decides he wants more than friendship; and their father becoming ill which means bossy Aunt Em coming to look after them. A story of family, friendship and loyalty; there’s a romantic element though not in any detail, and a low level of bullying that is resolved.
Readers familiar with the original story of Little Women will enjoy this modern re-telling; however, the book also works as a stand-alone.
The story is told by Jo, a slightly overbearing character, not interested in clothes or boys, and who wants to be a writer. Meg is very fashionable but has decided she wants to work with children despite Jo being convinced she should be a designer; Beth is quiet and loving; Amy is the youngest, more perceptive than people realise. The story revolves around sibling arguments especially as Jo is convinced she knows what is best for everyone; making new friends with Amy struggling to fit into the "cool set" and being subjected to bullying; Jo becoming friends with Lateef, an adopted refugee, who decides he wants more than friendship; and their father becoming ill which means bossy Aunt Em coming to look after them. A story of family, friendship and loyalty; there’s a romantic element though not in any detail, and a low level of bullying that is resolved.
Readers familiar with the original story of Little Women will enjoy this modern re-telling; however, the book also works as a stand-alone.
January 26, 2024
Becoming Jo by Sophie McKenzie is a modern retelling of the classic coming of age novel Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.
In this modern update, we hear the story from the perspective of Jo March, who is aspiring to be a writer. She lives with her Mum, an recently unemployed Social Worker, and her three sisters, Meg, Beth and Amy, and they have all recently moved, starting over in a new town. Their father is a Humanist Minister in the Army. Jo befriends Lateef, an immigrant orphan, who is living across the road with his foster dad.
I did enjoy the modern take of the classic story, with subtle inclusions which reflected back to the original novel, however it was just not the same for me, although I still give it 3 stars.
I borrowed this from Taunton Library. I read this for prompt 23, the other book with a similar plot, for the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2024. For prompt 22 - a plot similar to another book, I read Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.
In this modern update, we hear the story from the perspective of Jo March, who is aspiring to be a writer. She lives with her Mum, an recently unemployed Social Worker, and her three sisters, Meg, Beth and Amy, and they have all recently moved, starting over in a new town. Their father is a Humanist Minister in the Army. Jo befriends Lateef, an immigrant orphan, who is living across the road with his foster dad.
I did enjoy the modern take of the classic story, with subtle inclusions which reflected back to the original novel, however it was just not the same for me, although I still give it 3 stars.
I borrowed this from Taunton Library. I read this for prompt 23, the other book with a similar plot, for the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2024. For prompt 22 - a plot similar to another book, I read Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.
April 12, 2025
Well I thoroughly enjoyed this modern retelling of Little Women. If you ever wondered what would happen to Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy if they were in today's world, this is it. It's written for teens, but as a late-30s woman, I loved it. It has so many nods to the original work.
I won't leave spoilers here, but Jo is still an aspiring writer, working away on an old laptop at any given opportunity, Meg loves fashion, Beth loves playing the piano but has to make do with an old keyboard and Amy desperately wants a nose job and to be popular. Jo makes friends with Lateef who lives on the same street and goes to the high school.
As it's a faithful to the original you sort of guess where it's going, but it does it in such a lovely way. I would definitely recommend it.
I won't leave spoilers here, but Jo is still an aspiring writer, working away on an old laptop at any given opportunity, Meg loves fashion, Beth loves playing the piano but has to make do with an old keyboard and Amy desperately wants a nose job and to be popular. Jo makes friends with Lateef who lives on the same street and goes to the high school.
As it's a faithful to the original you sort of guess where it's going, but it does it in such a lovely way. I would definitely recommend it.
January 2, 2021
I really enjoyed this modern day retelling of 'Little Women.' It retained the spirit of the original story but gave it a freshness which would appeal to today's teens, I imagine!! It certainly appealed to me!
I don't want to give anything away because the 'updates' are such a treat when they crop up. Enjoy!!
I don't want to give anything away because the 'updates' are such a treat when they crop up. Enjoy!!
July 8, 2022
Little Women is one of my favourite books and has been since I was a kid.
This one intrigued me, I love a retelling and this one did not disappoint.
Set in present day England, it still has the same charm as the original, I love the modern take on the beloved characters, with all the subtle nods to the original.
This one intrigued me, I love a retelling and this one did not disappoint.
Set in present day England, it still has the same charm as the original, I love the modern take on the beloved characters, with all the subtle nods to the original.
September 4, 2025
The amount of times I’ve read this book!
I LOVE IT! So relatable for anyone with a sister , a great retelling of little women you fall in love with the character Jo and her boldness . My favourite parts are her friendship with layered , getting closer to Amy , talking to her favourite author and of course shaving her head for Amy.
10000% recommend
I LOVE IT! So relatable for anyone with a sister , a great retelling of little women you fall in love with the character Jo and her boldness . My favourite parts are her friendship with layered , getting closer to Amy , talking to her favourite author and of course shaving her head for Amy.
10000% recommend
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2020
Having thoroughly enjoyed the recent film version of Little Women, I wanted to read this modern retelling of the March sisters' story. It's cleverly done and a great intro for younger female readers of this well-loved classic.
May 29, 2019
BRILLIANT re-telling of the classic novel, keeping the heart and key themes of the book but modernising it and diversifying it wonderfully. I hope she writes more.
October 27, 2019
I really enjoyed the book and thought that the adaptations she made to modernise Little Women were really well done. Until the end. I won't spoil any more than that, but it frustrated me.
June 23, 2020
This book was amazing !!! It made me fall in love with writing again. I couldn’t put the book down !!
November 7, 2021
A greatly enjoyable present-day retelling of Little Women. Definitely helps a great deal to not kill Beth in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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August 30, 2022An enjoyable modernisation of Little Women.
September 7, 2022
The style of prose isn't my jam.
July 7, 2024
just remember i read this in school and had basically blanked it out pretty good though
August 25, 2024
A very realistic and entertaining retell of a well known classic.
December 25, 2024
I was reading this book for almost 1.5 year it was soo boring 😭
January 4, 2025
Really enjoyed this retelling
February 13, 2023
a modern retelling of little woman (i have never watched or read little woman so i have no idea if this was accurate).
someone got me it for Christmas so I had to read it :D
someone got me it for Christmas so I had to read it :D
April 23, 2021
A modern re-telling of a classic 'Little Women'.
We see from the perspective of Jo, an aspiring writer.
Along the journey, we follow Jo and her sisters Beth (the shy one), Amy (the painter/popular one) and Meg (the nanny).
With the girls dad working abroad, each girl finally discovers her true path in life, while overcoming illnesses, crushes, college and as for poor Lateef.... well lets find out!
We see from the perspective of Jo, an aspiring writer.
Along the journey, we follow Jo and her sisters Beth (the shy one), Amy (the painter/popular one) and Meg (the nanny).
With the girls dad working abroad, each girl finally discovers her true path in life, while overcoming illnesses, crushes, college and as for poor Lateef.... well lets find out!
November 28, 2022
I read this on holiday and was gifted it and I really enjoyed this spinoff of the classic. My favourite bit was when Jo saved Amy from the curb on the road and I just love this book so much!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews