Classic Starts®: Little Men

By Louisa May Alcott, Dan Andreasen and Arthur Pober

This sparkling sequel to the beloved Little Women follows the grown-up and married Jo, mistress of Plumfield, a school for boys (and a few girls, too). The fun begins with a new arrival, Nat Blake; it is through his eyes that we first meet Plumfield’s lively residents and experience the cheerful confusion that reigns in the welcoming home. Fans of the first book will happily greet these wonderful characters…and renew their acquaintance with such old favorites as Laurie and Meg.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Union Square Kids
• Release date: Sep 18, 2009
• ISBN: 9781402772382

Louisa May Alcott

Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) was an American novelist, poet, and short story writer. Born in Philadelphia to a family of transcendentalists—her parents were friends with Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry David Thoreau—Alcott was raised in Massachusetts. She worked from a young age as a teacher, seamstress, and domestic worker in order to alleviate her family’s difficult financial situation. These experiences helped to guide her as a professional writer, just as her family’s background in education reform, social work, and abolition—their home was a safe house for escaped slaves on the Underground Railroad—aided her development as an early feminist and staunch abolitionist. Her career began as a writer for the Atlantic Monthly in 1860, took a brief pause while she served as a nurse in a Georgetown Hospital for wounded Union soldiers during the Civil War, and truly flourished with the 1868 and 1869 publications of parts one and two of Little Women. The first installment of her acclaimed and immensely popular “March Family Saga” has since become a classic of American literature and has been adapted countless times for the theater, film, and television. Alcott was a prolific writer throughout her lifetime, with dozens of novels, short stories, and novelettes published under her name, as the pseudonym A.M. Barnard, and anonymously.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Nat Comes to Plumfield

The ragged boy looked up at the gate in front of him and stammered, Pl . . . please, sir, is this Plumfield? Nat Blake didn’t know if he was in the right place.

Yes, the old man at the gate answered. This is Plumfield. Who sent you?

Mr. Laurence gave me a letter for Mrs. Jo Bhaer, the lady of the house.

The old man opened the gate and said, In that case, I’m sure she’s expecting you. Go on up.

The man’s kind words gave Nat the courage to walk up the path to the house. Through the rain, he could see green grass, big trees, and a lovely garden. When he lifted his head, Nat saw a very large, square house with a big, old-fashioned porch.

Goodness, Nat thought to himself, this would be a wonderful place to live.

Warm light glowed from each of the windows, and Nat could hear the pleasant hum of many voices.

I hope the lady will see me, he thought as he knocked on the door.

A rosy-faced maid swung the door open and smiled. She wasn’t at all surprised to see him. You’re wet! she said, pointing to a bench in the hall. Go and sit down there for a spell to dry off while I take your note to the missus.

The house swarmed with boys of all sizes who were playing a variety of indoor games as the rain fell. Nat looked around. To his right, he saw two large school rooms filled with blackboards, desks, and books. In the large room in front of him, a group of boys lay about talking in front of the fire while an older fellow beside them practiced the flute.

A large dinner table occupied the room to Nat’s left. On top of it were pitchers of milk, piles of brown and white bread, and perfect stacks of gingerbread cookies. He could smell toast and baked apples as well, which made his stomach grumble.

But it was the hall that truly caught his attention. From his bench, Nat could see a gang of happy boys playing tag. On one landing of the stairs, a hearty game of marbles was going on. On the other, there was a game of checkers. The stairs held a number of fascinating things for a little boy: a kitten, two puppies, a boy reading a book, and a girl singing a lullaby to a pretty doll. Nat watched as a constant stream of boys slid down the banister. It didn’t seem to matter if it ruined their clothes or broke their limbs.

One particularly lively boy came barreling down so quickly that he could not stop and crashed to the floor. Nat ran over to the boy, who must have had a head as hard as a cannonball to survive the fall.

Expecting to find him half-dead, Nat was surprised to see the boy wink at him, and then say with a great grin, Hello!

Are you all right?! Nat asked.

Oh, just fine! the boy replied. Are you new? What’s your name? How old are you?

I don’t know if I’m to stay yet, but my name is Nat Blake and I’m twelve. Nat answered.

The boy jumped up off the floor and said, Well, thunder turtles, I’m glad we’re the same age. I’m Tommy Bangs. Why don’t you come up and have a go? I’m sure Mother Jo won’t mind.

Nat lowered his head. I think I should wait here until I find out whether I’m to stay or not.

Say, Demi, Tommy called out, here’s a new fellow! Come down and keep him company while he waits to talk to Mother Jo.

The boy reading on the stairs looked up from his book, then came down to see Nat and asked, Did Uncle Laurie send you?

Nat nodded. Is that Mr. Laurence?

He’s my uncle, Demi said, and he always sends nice boys.

Nat smiled, and the two stood there awkwardly for a moment until the little girl with the doll came to join them.

This is my twin sister, Daisy, Demi said.

Nat thought they looked very much alike, as twins should, even if they were brother and sister. She nodded at Nat, who smiled back.

I do hope you get to stay, Daisy said. We have such good times here, don’t we, Demi?

Of course we do, her brother replied. "That’s why Aunt Jo has Plumfield."

It seems a very nice place indeed, Nat said.

Oh, it’s the nicest place in the world, isn’t it, Demi? Daisy said.

No, Demi answered carefully. "I think Greenland, where the icebergs and seals live, is nicer. But that doesn’t mean I’m not fond of Plumfield. I mean, it is a very nice place to be."

Demi had just been reading a book on Greenland. He was about to open up the book so he could show Nat the pictures when the maid came back to tell the boy he could stay.

I’m so glad, Daisy said. Let’s go see Aunt Jo. She took Nat by the hand, which made him feel right at home. Demi returned to his book as his sister led the new boy into the back room. Inside, a stout gentleman wrestled with two little boys on the sofa while a thin lady read Nat’s letter.

Aunty, he’s here! Daisy called. Nat, this is Aunt Jo.

So, Jo replied, you are Nat, my new boy! It’s lovely to see you. I know you’ll be happy here.

She drew Nat to her and stroked his hair in a very motherly way. She had a merry face, and although she wasn’t entirely handsome, her whole person was jolly as she said, I am Mother Jo, and that gentleman is Father Bhaer. The two boys are Rob and Teddy, our little Bhaers. Boys, come now and meet Nat.

The three wrestlers obeyed quickly and came to welcome Nat.

There’s a room of your own all ready for you, son. Father Bhaer said. Sit down by the fire and dry those wet shoes.

Wet? Mother Jo said. Oh, so they are! Off with them this minute, and we’ll have some dry things ready for you in no time.

Jo

Reviews for Classic Starts®

[bookworm12_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

So interesting to see Jo as the mothering figure to all these boys. The book is full of moral lessons for the boys of Plumfield. The rough and prideful character of Dan was my particular favorite. I didn’t love it as much as Little Women, but it was a sweet book.“For he had learned how easy it is to lose the confidence of others, how very, very hard to win it back. And truth became to him a precious thing since he had suffered from neglecting it.”“Salt is like good humor and nearly everything is better for a pinch of it.”

[nx74defiant · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed reading this again. The story is not as familiar as Little Women. But I enjoyed the boys. Of course a good character dies a peaceful death.

[etxgardener · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Little Men follows the characters of Little Women after Jo marries Professor Behar and opens her school at Plumstead. The sisters are still all in the novel, but they are now relegated to the role of gown-ups.Mostly this story centers on the boys in Jo's school with the various vignettes all highlighting some moral story for young people. This book is harmless, but lacks the universal appeal of Little Women.

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Little Men by Louisa May Alcott is another childhood favorite of mine and although it has been some time, this is probably my fourth or fifth rereading of the story. This book covers a year of the experimental school at Plumfield run by Jo and Fritz Bhaer. Allowing “boys to be boys” the students are encouraged to follow their individual talents, play hard yet spend equal time in study and chores. The Bhaers provide the guidance and love that is needed to ensure that their students thrive. There are fourteen boys, and a couple of girls. They are engaging and fun to read about and are all completely different from one another such as “wild boy” Dan, lively, engaging Tommy and on the female side willful, spirited Nan and quiet, gentle Daisy.I did notice during this reread that the Jo March of Little Woman had quite disappeared and “Mother Bhaer “ had taken her place. It’s only been 10 years yet Jo seems firmly settled into middle age and her domestic role. Other than one scene where she climbs up into a tree with one of the boys, she doesn’t seem like the high spirited, adventurous Jo that I remember. This issue is addressed at the end of the book however, with Jo imploring Laurie not to pity her for the life she leads rather than the one she planned to have when she was young. I felt this illustrated how many of us plan one life only to end up leading a totally different one.While, for me, Little Men didn’t quite have the magic that Little Women has, it is nevertheless a classic piece of American literature mixing Christian values, views of childhood and unorthodox teaching methods to produce a very readable if somewhat dated book. Plumfield remains a school that I wished I had been able to attend so appealing are it’s inhabitants.

[tjsjohanna_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There are some lovely quotes in this novel about teaching children and the effect of love and patience and good examples. I liked the extended metaphor of the garden and how Jo & Fritz were growing a garden of boys and how their harvest was shaping up. There are some fun episodes (the play kitchen and the museum) as well as hard lessons learned, all of which make the book a joy to read.

[oddandbookish · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Not as good as Little Women, but still memorable. Louisa May Alcott is an amazing writer.

[abigailadams26 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A sequel to Alcott's masterpiece, Little Women, and the author's second book chronicling the fortunes of the March family, Little Men follows the story of Jo, her husband Professor Bhaer, and their school for boys at Plumfield. Here the reader will encounter some of the beloved figures of the first book. And here the reader will also have the pleasure of meeting a host of new characters - many of them the sort of mischievous, but essentially good-hearted, young boys so dear to "Mrs. Jo's" heart.While not equal in my esteem to the incomparable Little Women, (and after all, what could be?), judged on its own merits, this novel is an engaging story of a large and rambling "family," and their many adventures. Published many times over, the version I had the pleasure of reading was the Illustrated Junior Library edition, illustrated by Douglas W. Gorsline.

[jennyelizabeth-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Louisa May Alcott is a delightful writer. While many girls read her in childhood, I'm glad I've waited till I'm an adult to meet her. Her world was very feminine and, like her and Jo, I feel like I have to work really hard to fit into the worlds of Meg and Amy. Though Jo tames herself, she keeps a house of rowdy boys to train and love and romp with.

This really appeals to me. Having the boys farm and honing their natural skills to play music, sing, ride, play sports, bring in a harvest, build things. I feel like contemporary school has left us smarter in some ways, but completely empty in others.

Though sometimes the storyline plodded along, I felt like I was hearing stories from Louisa and Jo over tea in the summer sunshine.

[hopingforchange · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book is good because it continues the story. However, there isn't as much emotion here. The characters are just not present in the same way that they were in Little Women. Eh...

[midkid88 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is a wonderful addition to Little Women. It tells the story of the next generation of Marchs. I loved reading about how the three sisters grew up and became parents themselves. You also get lost in the stories the bye get into along with Daisy.

[jnselko · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was the first chapter book I ever read, back when i was in Kindergarten.

[eejjennings_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this one many times and preferred it to Little Women. Jo was my favorite.

[kailey196 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Little Men is a book about a lady who takes orphans into her home and takes care of them. The book is mostly about the adventures that the boys at the school have. It's a good book and i suggest anyone who wants to read about adventures to read it.

[victrola_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was my first time revisiting this since I was a kid. At times it was just delightful in its whimsy and innocence, and at others the sticky sweetness was just too much for me. The chapter about John Brooke was SO well done - I think that may be the most I've ever cried over a book. But then the final chapter seemed to drag on forever. For me it wasn't quite so charming a read as Little Women but it's lovely in its own way.

[matke-261098 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The March girls continue as adults, with Jo running Plumfield, Meg married with two children, and Amy as Lady Bountiful. Very sweet, but as an adult, I view with horror a scene involving Professor Baer convincing Nat to tell the truth. As a child, I breathed very hard and shed a few tears each time I read it (which were many). A book that is just fascinating for young girls.

[maiadeb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Classic. Plumfield has been my dream house since I read this story. Proved the most difficult people in your life may give you the best present! The boys are all individuals, the writing is fine and the story is timeless.

[auntieknickers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my favorite childhood books despite a certain preachiness. I especially loved the chapter where Daisy gets the real miniature kitchen with a real miniature woodstove.

[mrslee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I didn't think I could enjoy any sequel as much as I enjoyed this story of Jo's adulthood and marriage. They are both delightful.

[harahel_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This classic is often overshadowed by it's bulky predacessor. Little Men should stand apart from Little Women. It's a little heavy handed with the morals, but overall a wonderful exuberant read.