Sometimes when you read a novel it stays with you for a long time. For me, it usually comes in the way of a connection to the characters; I carry them along with me in my life. I can recall the exact moment’s such characters set into my heart for whatever reason too. When I think of them, they trigger my memories and I can be brought back to that exact age in my life. Everything is illuminated in my mind’s eye down to the last details of my surroundings and the emotions of that time period that endeared these characters to me; tying a knot and tethering them to my heart.

I was a middle schooler when Jo came into my life. Josephine “Jo” March from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is a character I go back to often because she inspires me to have strength and perseverance to be who I want to be. I do believe that thinking about her character’s journey in life may have helped shape my decision to become a librarian. I could wax poetic on this character and this novel easily, but I would much rather encourage you to pick up this classic and try it on for yourself. Jo may not be the character from this novel that speaks to you as she did to me, and that is okay. There are many extraordinary characters in this novel for you to get to know…

A trend I have been seeing in Middle Grade and YA literature, although it is not a new phenomenon, is the retelling of a classic story. When September came I opened one of my book orders and happened upon a retelling of my favorite Little Women. I am excited to have a chance to try out someone else’s remix of this story. I would assume that Bethany C. Morrow, author of So Many Beginnings, was equally enamored with the classic novel to be inspired to write her remix and perhaps also carries one of the original characters close to her heart too. 

I invite you to pick up one or both of these copies at the Library.

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” 

-Louisa May Alcott, Little Women