Little Men

"Six generations of readers have found in the story of the March family universal truths about girls, families and growing up." -The Guardian
"A Natural source of stories...she is, and is to be the poet of children." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
"The novelist of children...the Thackeray, the Trollope, of the nursery and the schoolroom."-Henry James
Little Men is the second book in Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" trilogy of children's books centered around the activities of the March's, a progressive transcendental New England family. In this novel, a six month period of time during the late 1800's is recounted in the life of Jo Bhaer (née March) at the experimental school she runs with her German husband. A warm and heartfelt classic, Little Men is a delightful novel about the bonds and trust within friendship and family.
When a poor orphan boy, Nat, is dropped on the stairs of Plumfield Estate School he is welcomed with open arms. The school is a unique and loving environment for Nat. He is encouraged in his musical talents and is encouraged to explore patience and the virtues of unity through nursery theater. When Dan, an old friend of Nat's arrives at the school, the tranquility of Plumfield is threatened. Through each student who joins the school, Alcott brilliantly portrays the experiences and the lessons learned. With its deceptively simple plot, the adventures and growth of the thirteen boys and two little girls is a beautifully realistic rendering of personal responsibility in the lives of young children.
With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Little Men is both modern and readable.

Louisa May Alcott was born on 29 November 1832 in Pennsylvania. Her father was friends with Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Thoreau. Alcott started selling stories in order to help provide financial support for her family. Her first book was Flower Fables (1854). She worked as a nurse during the American Civil War and in 1863 she published Hospital Sketches, which was based on her experiences. Little Women was published in 1868 and was based on her life growing up with her three sisters. She followed it with three sequels, Good Wives (1869), Little Men (1871) and Jo's Boys (1886) and she also wrote other books for both children and adults. Louisa May Alcott was an abolitionist and a campaigner for women's rights. She died on 6 March 1888.