Little Women, a classic by Louisa May Alcott

On this first day of March, why not share Little Women, the classic novel about the March sisters.

This is the story of four sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, living in Civil War era Massachusetts with their mother, called Marmee, while their father is away fighting in the war.

Meg is the oldest sister at 16 and is employed as a governess who is looking forward to life as a wife and mother, happily accepting the expectations that come with those roles during that time.

Josephine "Jo" March is the principal character at 15. She is stubborn, a "tomboy", and has a bit of a temper, but is also the most intelligent and creative in the family with a love of reading and hopes of becoming a novelist. Her best friend Theodore Laurence (whom she calls "Laurie") is like the brother she never had.

Beth is 13. She is shy, sweet, and quiet (except for her love of the piano) and wants nothing more than to be at home with her family that she loves so very much.

Amy is the youngest sister at age 12. She strives to be a proper young lady wanting desperately to be part of  "good society". While she is a bit vain and can be a touch self-centered, she loves her family and cherishes her sisters.

This is the story of these "little women" and their coming of age during the desperate and tumultuous times of war.