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Rose in Bloom and Jo’s Boys — Louisa May Alcott

“Rose in Bloom” is the sequel to Louisa May Alcott’s book “Eight Cousins,” where we met Rose Campbell and her boisterous crew of seven male relatives, most older than herself and some younger. They took her into their homes and hearts when she found herself an orphan, and she has pieced together a wonderful new life for herself on Aunt Hill, living with aunts Peace and Plenty. Now in this sequel, everyone is older. Rose is a young woman, returning home after a two year tour of Europe, taken with Uncle Alec and her good friend Phebe. Phebe has received … Continue reading →

Little Men – Louisa May Alcott

As we know, Louisa May Alcott’s debut novel “Little Women” was inspired largely by her own life, with the exception of the love interests in the book, which were fictionalized. In “Little Men,” the sequel to “Little Women,” we find a heart-warming and fascinating story, but we must realize that this book is completely fictional. Jo has inherited Plumfield from her Aunt March. It’s a huge, sprawling place with lots of property, and it’s perfect for a school. Jo decides to open a boys’ school, and with the help of her husband, Professor Bhaer, sets up a beautiful facility. The … Continue reading →

Little Women (1994)

I’m sure that somewhere along the line, you figured out that I’m a huge “Little Women” fan. I’ve read the book countless times and seen every film version of it ever made (unless they did a remake of it over in Lithuania that I haven’t heard about.) This version, with Winona Ryder, is hands-down the best. Why, you ask? I will tell you. First, a refresher course on the plot. The March family is very poor, having given most of their material wealth to those more poor than themselves. The Civil War is upon them and their father has gone … Continue reading →

Eight Cousins – Louisa May Alcott

A book by the beloved author of “Little Women,” “Eight Cousins” is somewhat less known but just as delightful. Rose Campbell has been orphaned at the age of thirteen and is being sent to live with her two aunts, Peace and Plenty, in a huge house atop a hill which has been dubbed “The Aunt Hill.” Her uncle Alec is her official guardian, but he can’t be with her all the time, so Peace and Plenty provide her with a stable, loving atmosphere. And do they ever spoil her! Suddenly given access to all the pretty clothes, pretty toys, and … Continue reading →

Author Review — Louisa May Alcott

Most of my information for this author review comes from the book “Invincible Louisa” by Cornelia Meigs. I began reading it for a book review, then realized that it would best be suited to a review of Louisa herself. Louisa was born in 1832 to parents Abba May and Bronson Alcott. Bronson was a peculiar man; very intellectual, very interested in things of the spirit and religion, but he had a difficult time holding down a job. For a while before he was married, he worked as a traveling peddler, going from house to house all over the countryside selling … Continue reading →

On This Day in History – November 26 – December 3

What fun moments in history can we celebrate this week? Let’s take a look … November 28th – in 1990, Margaret Thatcher resigned from her post as prime minister of England. She was one of the most famous female politicians we’ve ever had. Talk about other famous women and the contributions they have made to the world. November 29th – this is Louisa May Alcott’s birthday. She was born in 1832, and is the author of one of my very favorite books, Little Women. To commemorate this day, you could learn about Massachusetts, where Louisa lived, and you could talk … Continue reading →

Activity Days- Journal Jars

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Yesterday we had a great activity. The girls loved it, it was a calm, quiet activity (which I love!) and we sat around the table and just talked while we worked. In the January 2011 Friend this month, they had a highlight about an activity day group in Massachusetts. It was titled, “Little Women from Massachusetts”. These girls had the chance to visit the home of Louisa May Alcott, and learn about keeping journals. This is a great lesson for any youth to learn at a young age. During this activity, they made journal jars. So, that is what we … Continue reading →

100 Greatest Novels

I found a list of the 100 Greatest Novels and just had to share it here. I love to read. My plan is to read as many novels on this list as possible. Care to join me? 1. 1984 by George Orwell 2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 3. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 4. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien 5. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 6. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald 7. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky 8. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller 9. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov … Continue reading →

What Do You Read For?

My mom has been staying with me for the last month recovering from a fall, and with little else to do, has been gobbling up my bookshelves almost faster than I can replenish them. I’m passing along all the books I think she ought to like, but I’m finding something odd. There are some books she just doesn’t like, books I loved. Why is that? After thinking it over for a little while, I came to a very important conclusion. Readers all read for different reasons. Some read to be entertained. Others, to be educated, or uplifted, or distracted, or … Continue reading →

Daddy-Long-Legs – Jean Webster

I’ve heard about the book “Daddy-Long-Legs” on several occasions, and knew there was a Fred Astaire-Leslie Caron movie based on it, but it wasn’t until the other day that I finally picked it up. You know I’m a big Louisa May Alcott/L.M. Montgomery/Gene Stratton-Porter fan – this book fits right into that genre and I was captivated immediately. Jerusha Abbot has lived her entire life at the John Grier Asylum for Orphans. Now that she is seventeen, she’s lived there longer than most of their wards. The trustees have been at quite a loss to know what to do with … Continue reading →