Jo's Story

Portraits of Little Women

by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Tomboy Jo March would rather die than spend time with wealthy, proper Aunt March. She’d much rather race against the boys at school or star in all the swashbuckling plays she writes. But when Aunt March offers to adopt one of the March sisters to help ease the family money problems, Jo decides to make the ultimate sacrifice. She’ll tear herself away from her beloved sisters and parents–if it means they’ll have a better life. She’s determined to become the perfect lady. Now Jo has to convince her family that she’s sincere about her decision by taking on a role that may be too difficult to act.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Susan Beth Pfeffer was an American author best known for young adult and science fiction. After writing for 35 years, she received wider notice for her series of post-apocalyptic novels, officially titled "The Life as We Knew It Series", but often called "The Last Survivors" or "Moon Crash" series, some of which appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list.

Reviews

[QNPoohBear · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ten-year-old Jo March, an aspiring writer, chafes against her elderly great-aunt's strict rules for ladies, but when she overhears Aunt March offering to adopt one of the March girls, Jo knows she has to be the one. She's the only one her family can live without and so she must break from her sisters and spend more time with Aunt March learning to be ladylike.

Right off the bat we know Aunt March doesn't adopt Jo so I was totally uninterested in the plot. Jo behaves very badly and it was cringy to read. I'm not sure the author fully read the original novel before embarking on this series because I noted a few inaccuracies. The Marches are recently poor because Father gave money to friends and made some bad investments. Amy wears hand-me-downs from her cousins and not her sisters. Also, the novel never mentions where they live. Everyone assumes Concord but I'm not sure it is.

On the plus side, the story introduces young readers to the March family and their values. Marmee's wise counsel is always there when needed. We learn about each girl's personality and interests. Meg is ladylike already and Amy aspires to be ladylike, is beautiful and artistic. Sweet Beth loves dolls and her sisters. Aunt March is strict but she isn't unfair. She agrees to reconsider allowing Jo to read Oliver Twist IF Marmee and Father agree she can read it.

The book contains excerpts from the other sisters' stories which sound a little better and include events leading up to Father going off to join in the Civil War.

I remember when these stories came out and I probably read them but this one didn't appeal to inner 10-year-old me or grown-up me that much. I might try the others at some point.

[Jessika Hoover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Susan Beth Pfeffer really has a handle on the "little women." I remember I loved this book as a kid, and I absolutely ate it up. Jo has always been my favorite little woman, so I always enjoyed this short jaunt with my favorite character. This is a short, easy read that young girls will enjoy. Reading this now, I focused mainly on whether I thought Pfeffer stayed true to the characters, and I really felt that she did. Jo's "sacrifice" for her family is something that is so typically Jo, and I think that's why I liked this so much. Even the other characters were accurately portrayed.

This would be an ideal read for younger girls. It's not very long, and therefore not as intimidating to a ten-year-old as maybe the original classic could be. It tells a charming story with a lesson at the end that doesn't come across as too preachy. It also has a cute little section at the end with an easy recipe to try as well as an "activity" for girls to do. In this one, the recipe was for apple pie, and the activity was to make your very own family tree.

While not absolutely riveting to me now, I can see why I was so obsessed with this book as a kid.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Jo might be my spirit animal. But she lasted far longer with Aunt March than I would have. Sewing samplers is there worst!! Give me a TV anyday! Okay, this is the 1800s... Give me a quilt! I love quilting. But I also love digging in the dirt of a garden, playing games that involve running, and in general being a tomboy. Jo is the best. I'm sad she heard that conversation and came up with her plan.

[Stasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved these little additions to 'Little Women' as a girl!! Our library had almost all of them. It's fun reading this again years later!!

I think these would be great additional reading for girls that like the abridged edition of Little Women for younger readers.

[Kristina Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this when I was a teenager. It is one of my favorite books that I read growing up. I also read Meg's Story but I think I liked Jo's a little more.

[Esther Hong · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourite reads in primary. Jo was my favourite too.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia read this and rated it 4 stars.

[Celina Pohl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo's Story by Susan Beth Pfeffer

This is also a very interesting book. Jo is a tomboy and hates to be proper. She overhears her wealthy aunt asking her mother if she wants to adopt one of her children so the other kids can have a better life. Jo decides to sacrifice herself for her sisters. Now Jo have to convince that she is proper enough, but it may be to hard for the tomboy that she is.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes stories of 10 year old girls and their life.

[Enikő · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was lying around the house, so I decided to read it. My 10-year-old daughter had enjoyed it, so I wanted to see what it was about.

This is a very nice little book, and a quick read. The story is well developed and just complex enough in its 71 pages to be interesting. Good values, good plot. I liked it.

[Petra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volt 4 lanytestvér Jo (Josephine),Amy Beth és Meg.
Kolcson akkarta kérni egy Oliver Twist konyvet ,de csak akkor ha lanyosan viselkedik ,de nem sikerult neki.
Nem kapta meg .

Az nagy gyerekeknek volt.(a konyv)

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked these books!!!

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great look on the classic new england story. Many people should read little women, then portraits of little women.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

So boring. And I failed the AR test in second grade.

[Ginnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

No. 1: The girl on the front is too elagant for Jo to ever be. No. 2 horrid adaption. dislike. Stick to the classic.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved these when I was in 4th/5th grade - a story is given for each of the March sisters at age 10. Jo was my favorite, of course :)

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo's my style. She's got a good heart, but can totally be a brat sometimes.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice side story to the series. Think I will read the others too!

[Brindi Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story is given for each of the March sisters at age 10. These are great and go well with Little Women...perfect for LW fans who want more. I wish I had known about these when I was little!

[Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

not as good as little women.

[Lauren Blanchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absoulutley love it. Susan Beth Pfeffer did a great job. I'm on to Meg 's Story and Beth's story and Amy's Story. I LOVE it.

[Lindsay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Author clearly doesn't know Jo very well. BLECH.

[Chris Book]

cool

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor jo. Being good a the time is not easy, especially if your around others who seem to be better

[Dahlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, easy read.

[Sharon Joseph]

jo is a amaing character of the little women series