Littler Women

July 15, 2017
The white March sisters experience family life in a New England town in this "modern retelling" of Part 1 of Little Women.Motherly, occasionally bossy Meg (13), temperamental, no-nonsense Jo (12), quiet, shy Beth (10), and effervescent, artistic Amy (9) live with their mother, a community-center director, and her friend Hannah while their father's serving overseas. Meg tries "to set a good example and...keep her sisters in line." Jo writes in her attic lair, plays hockey, and befriends olive-skinned neighbor Laurie. Beth practices piano and bakes cookies. Amy's impetuousness earns her detention and Jo's wrath. Dark days arrive when Mr. March is injured and Beth contracts the flu. Throughout, the sisters are guided by their mother's moral compass. Although three years younger than their originals, Schaefer's sisters mirror Alcott's in appearance and temperament. Aside from Alcott's Civil War setting, Schaefer's plot neatly parallels events in Little Women with modern accoutrements such as video games, cellphones, hoodies, and jeans. However, Schaefer's version, though jazzed-up with references to modern kids' books, recipes, and craft projects, pales in comparison with Alcott's classic. This retelling of Little Women may indeed attract today's readers to the original, but why not just give them that instead? (Fiction. 9-12)

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July 1, 2017

Gr 4-7-A contemporary retelling of Louisa May Alcott's beloved novel. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy are tween sisters, ranging in age from nine to 13. On top of the worries facing these modern girls, their beloved father is away with the National Guard. While the March sisters do not have much and are not fashionable or trendy (much to Meg's dismay), they are resourceful. This is demonstrated by their recipes and crafting tricks that are liberally dispersed throughout the book. Like the characters of Little Women, the sisters learn valuable lessons through each adventure. Schaefer's March sisters are updated but will be recognizable to Alcott devotees. The writing is accessible, making this a good selection for younger middle grade readers perhaps not quite ready for the original tale. VERDICT While Alcott's story will remain a classic go-to, this modern-day retelling is a fun addition for larger library collections and where young Little Women fans abound.-Morgan Brickey, Arlington Public Library, TX

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