The stories of the March sisters are family classics. They tell of four very different girls. Amy, the youngest, is flighty, a little shallow, and obsessed with her snub nose and marrying a rich man. Beth, next up, is gentle, kind, and loving, holding the whole family together and steady. Jo, the heroine, is a writer - imaginative, feisty, and volatile. She strains agaist the expectations on her to be 'womanly' and yearns for adventure. Meg, the eldest, battles with her desire for pretty things and external recognition because the family once had plenty but now are poor in comparison to their neighbours. The rich Lawrence family, living next door, however, find that the March family are rich in all the things that really matter: love, creativity, kindness, and wisdom. Young readers will find so much to relate to in these girls who muddle through their teens, learning hard lessons along the way about forgiveness, romance, and, most importantly, being true to themselves. But, for me, the greatest treasure in these books is the wisdom of Marmee, whose insights and timely words to her girls I find truly stunning. As I've read these books aloud to my daughter, I 've learnt so much myself. If I could be half the mother Marmee is, I would consider my job well done!