Littler Women: A Modern Retelling

Littler Women: A Modern Retelling

Soon to be a major motion picture starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Timothée Chalamet, and Meryl Streep! “A fun addition for…young Little Women fans.” — School Library Journal The March sisters encounter new friends, challenges, school dances, and more in this fresh, “jazzed-up” ( Kirkus Reviews ) modern retelling of the perennial classic, Little Women . Thirteen-year-old Meg March and her sisters Jo (twelve), Beth (ten), and Amy (nine) are a close-knit group who share in one another’s hopes and dreams, as well as struggles and frustrations. Over the course of one year they get to know their neighbors the Lawrences, attend school dances and sleepovers, have first crushes, and grow closer as sisters, despite their differences. This sweet, contemporary take on part one of the beloved novel Little Women is the perfect introduction for young readers to the March family. With a craft project or recipe at the end of every chapter, Littler Women is sure to become a cherished favorite. Laura Schaefer is the author of The Teashop Girls , The Secret Ingredient , and Littler Women . She lives in Orlando, Florida, with her husband and daughter. When she’s not writing middle grade novels, you might find her scoping out local coffee shops, taking long walks with only partially working headphones, and poking around the library for treasures. Laura’s favorite Little Women character is Jo (whose isn’t?), but she confesses to a strong fondness for Amy as well. Visit her online at LauraSchaeferWriter.com or follow her on Twitter at @TeaShopGirl. Littler Women CHAPTER ONE A Christmas Letter “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” —Charles Dickens “Christmas is usually my favorite time, but I think I just want it to be over with this year,” said Meg, sighing a gigantic sigh and adjusting the colorful striped skirt she was holding on her lap. It had never fit the way it should, so she was attempting to turn it into a throw pillow cover. The project wasn’t going very well. “I know. Me too,” said Jo, looking up from her book. She’d read it several times before, and didn’t mind her sister’s interruption. “Christmas won’t be Christmas at all without Dad here. What’s the point?” “It’s totally unfair, everyone I know is making fun plans with their families and we don’t get to,” said Amy, who was drawing in her sketchbook and feeling sorry for herself. Beth, who was knitting, was the only sister who almost never complained. She even managed to smile a little. “We have Mom, and Hannah, and each other,” she reminded her sisters. “And Dad will be home before we know it.” At Beth’s words, all four girls managed to look a little bit less glum. Though the mood in the room was subdued, it was impossible to stay crabby for long in such a cozy scene. The March house, which had been in the family for three generations, was large and full of interesting details large and small, with nooks and crannies everywhere you looked. The shelves in each room practically overflowed with books and collectibles. The fire in the fireplace had been burning for two hours, which meant it was now turning to embers that warmed each young sister right down to her belly. A few gentle snow flurries swirled around in the twilight beyond the thick-curtained windows, and three candles burned on the mantel. They were scented like apple cider, the perfect complement to the refreshing, earthy smell of the real Christmas tree, which had been lovingly decorated in the corner, and the clusters of fragrant boughs adorning the center of the dining room table and the top of every door frame. Despite the pretty decorations and nice holiday aromas, Jo was still feeling a lot less cheerful than she usually did during the Christmas season. “He won’t be home before we know it,” Jo said, allowing herself a moody sob. “He won’t be home for almost a year!” All four girls thought of their father, trying to picture what he might be experiencing at that very moment. Mr. March was in the U.S. National Guard and was serving a tour of duty overseas. It had been very hard to say good-bye to him, and now it was even worse being apart. No one said anything for a few minutes. “I’m not just sad about Dad,” Meg said suddenly. “I sound like an awful person, but I’m also kind of sad about Mom’s presents policy!” A few days earlier, Mom had explained to the girls that there would be fewer Christmas gifts than normal this year, as the family needed to “tighten its belt” a little and use what extra money they did have on care packages for Dad. “I know Mom said we should be grateful for what we have and try to think about the true meaning of Christmas this year,” agreed Jo, “but I was hoping for a huge stack of new books!” Jo was a bookworm, and Mom and Dad were usually very generous with novels for their second-oldest daughter, particularly at Christmas or when she had a birthday. But this year was different, and Jo