In Little Women, remember the stories that Professor Bhaer convinces Jo aren't worthy of her? These stories, written under the pseudonym A.M. Barnard, are sort of those, just as Jo was "sort of" Alcott's alter ego... Alcott loved these short stories, considered quite scandalous, and she felt they were better work than the "moral pap for children" (her words, not mine) for which she is more famous.

While I love Little Women (read it a million times), and am really glad she wrote that "moral stuff," these stories have a darker edge than the happy March home-- thrillingly scandalous. Some of the short stories are a little bit less finely crafted than others, but all of the ones in this collection are fabulous. Actresses! Poisoners! Exotic Locales! Revenge-seeking scorned women! Wicked Women in general! This is one of many collected by Stern-- so get them all, and learn about the darker persona of the famous "girl's writer."

Every story in this book is a page-turner! You will boo the villains and cheer the heroines -- who sometimes happen to be one and the same. Three cheers for Madeleine Stern for resurrecting these rousing tales.

In this collection of four short stories, Louisa May Alcott reveals herself as a racy, infinately readable author. Each story features strong women, with sharp tongues and sharper wits. Every plot has an unexpected twist, and a decidedly dark touch of irony. If you couldn't read Little Women because of its flowery prose, here is a second chance to aquaint yourself with an incredible American author. Every story is a page turner to the very end, and each short enough to be read in an evening.

Beth's Story is about a young girl named Beth March. When Beth and her sisters find out that there Marmee and Father are going to New York for business, but when the four March sisters find out that one of them can go to New York, Amy is the youngest and says that she sould go, for she will not get to go to New York as Marmee said, she would like to go now. But then the troble starts, Jo says that Beth sould go and so does Meg, Amy was not so willing to let Beth have her vote, but Beth went to New York and there she meat Mr. Lincoln, they had a very nice little chat, and when Beth got home and back to school, she was asked to tell the class about her vist to New York. She let her meeting with Mr. Lincoln slip, and so Amy was left out of everything. The whole class did not belive the simple old Beth March had met Mr. Lincoln. The next night and for the whole week Amy would not talk to Beth. I will not give away the ending so I must stop here. This is a very good book, and I hope you will read it.

This book review is by: Lindsay Tanguay

This book is simply wonderful and the best story in the "Portraits of Little Women" series. I couldn't put this book down and read it in four hours! Beth's Story is very well written and filled with emotion and fun. I could understand and relate to it because once I was in a situation like Beth's. A must read!

This is a cool new series about the Little Women when they are 10 years old. This one is about Beth and her trip to New York City where she meets Abraham Lincoln. The other books were cool, too. I can't wait for the new ones, MEG MAKES A FRIEND and BETH MAKES A FRIEND.

The March girls all await to see who Aunt March will give the cameo brooch to. Meg longs to give her father a special gift for Christmas, but will she ever have the money to buy it? Jo has a heated duel with Aunt March. Will a jurney with a few unexpected visitors show her a thing or two? Beth feels she will amount to nothing. But will St. Nicholas will give her a change of mind? Amy attends Aunt March on a dazziling trip to New York, but will Amy overcome her selfish streak and be kind to those less fortunate? Who shall own the brooch? What will happen to it? These and other questions will be answerd in this edition of: Portaits of Little women, a truly fun book for the young reader.

I love the book Little Women so when I saw this book at the library I checked it out.Let's just say I wasn't disappointed.I liked reading how they dealt with Aunt March.It was so touching what Amy did with her gift.Read this book to find out!!

This special holiday Portraits of Little Women book features four stories, each one about a different March sister's Christmas dream. Meg wants to buy her father a special gift, but she has no way to afford it. Jo must learn the true spirit of Christmas. Beth, who believes her family does not appreciate her, realizes just how much she means to them. And Amy, who is always wants presents, surprises everyone when she gives a gift to a poor, starving little girl on Christmas day. At the center of these stories is a family heirloom, an old cameo brooch, that teaches each girl the lessons she must learn about the holidays. I highly reccomend this book, especially if you liked previous Portraits of Little Women books.

17 students from St. Pius X School read this book March of 2002. If you are looking for a great and exciting book try reading Lillian's Fish by James Menk. Little Lillian received a fish on her 6th birthday. When Lillian's fish mysteriously disappears the other pets in the family decide to go and find her. This begins an exciting adventure that any reader will enjoy. Our class would highly recommend this book to anyone who has a sense of humor and enjoys a good adventure story.

In my personal experience, children are thrilled by the adventures of Lillian's fish and her barn yard friends. We've had kids ask incredibly insightful questions about the characters as if they were truly real and not fiction, very similar to my own excited attachment to the literary characters of my childhood. What strikes me most about this sweet book is the fact it does not patronize... it allows children to challenge their own imaginations in a uniquely wonderful way. And the lesson is a profound one... we are all responsible for one another, that no matter how different we are, we are of one family. A truly special book.

Holy Mackeral! This is one great read! Not only did my children enjoy the story, but I found myself caught up in the narrative as well. Every night before bed, I would read a chapter to my kids, and the next day we would talk about what had happened. The story moved along at a great pace all the while providing an excellent depiction of the characters and the settings. As an aspiring writer myself, I was inspired by the texture and color that James Menk wove into the story. Mr. Menk makes you (and the children) feel that you are right there part of the story. Now that we've read it once, we will definately go back and visit Lillian and her friends time and time again. Lillian's Fish has found a nice new home in our family's bookshelf. I look forward to reading any other works by Mr. Menk in the future. Oh, and thanks to Amazon.com for bringing it our attention!

The Dover Thrift Edition of "Short Stories" by Louisa May Alcott contains 5 pieces: "Obtaining Supplies," "A Night," "My Contraband," "Happy Women," and "How I Went Out to Service." The book includes a brief introductory note on the life and career of Alcott.

The first two stories are from Alcott's "Hospital Sketches"; together with the third story, they deal with protagonists who work as nurses for Civil War soldiers. "My Contraband" has as a key theme the legacy of slavery. "Happy Women" is more of a sketch celebrating single women, and the final piece tells the "serio-comico experience" of a young woman who goes to work as a domestic companion.

I read this book shortly after reading Alcott's novel "The Inheritance," written when she was only 17; that simple but charming work makes for a fascinating contrast with the polished maturity of the pieces in this volume. Overall, this collection shows Alcott's wit, humor, compassion for humanity, attentive eye, and particular concern for women's issues. This short (55 + vii pages) book is a wonderful collection by one of the most remarkable figures in American literature.

Even though Miss Alcott didn't have as much writing experience when she wrote these short stories, they are still a wonderful read. The first two stories are from 'Hospital Sketches'and are wonderful. "A Night" is a gripping acount based on her experience as a Civil War nurse. In the story a nurse is staying up all night with a dying soldier. The story is beautiful. "My Contraband" is a sad tale of how the war and slavery tore apart families. The last two stories are an enjoyable read also. Hey, for 90 cents this book is more than worth the price. If you like Louisa May Alcott, you won't be dissapointed with these stories, so give this book a try.

Many of these brief but captivating stories are lovely, but one in particular captured my interest, and that was about the secret lives of silverware. There are other nonsensical but entertaining stories in this volume, all of which are perfect to read aloud to young children. The fact that these are lesser known makes it an all the more intriguing addition to your library. Simply enchanting!

This text has excellent information. This kind of information about language needs to be included in every college program that claims to be educating future teachers.

This informative and scholarly text provides necessary background for students of the English language. It is esential information for anyone who would like to teach reading. Speech to Print presents the structure of the English language in a readable and knowledgeable format. The content in Speech to Print is a must for any teacher of reading.

Professors and teachers who are responsible for the instruction of pre- and inservice teachers will appreciate this excellent core text in the language foundations of reading. The author's unique background in reading science, teaching, and assessment have equipped her to provide the reader with knowledge of the language processes essential to teaching reading and spelling. Exercises are provided throughout the book and at the end of chapters that may be used to practice application of the concepts taught in the text. Professors with prior training in introductory level linguistics will be more comfortable with this text than those who do not have prior background in phonetics, phonology, grammar, morphology, and language as it relates to the teaching of reading and writing.Highly motivated teachers can use the text for self-teaching, however they would benefit from doing so in a small group of like-minded colleagues who can support each other as they work their way through the text.

Amy March loves to draw. She wants to become a world famous painter. But she believes there is one problem. The March family is too poor to pay for art lesons for Amy. Amy's sister Meg tells her that her friend Annabell is given art lesons, and that Amy might be able to join in. Annabells little sister Jenny is in the same class as Amy. Amy decides she has to befriend snoby Jenny to get art lesons, but it is hopeless.

When rich Diana Hughes comes to Concord, Amy befriends her, thinking she can get art lesons with Diana. Jenny and Jenny's best friend Susie try to befriend Diana too. But Amy soon finds out that friendship is worth more than art lesons.

Amy March loves to draw. She wants to become a famous painter someday. She believes she has the talent, and all she needs are professional art lessons. One of Amy's snobby classmates gets private art lessons, and Amy's dearest wish is that Jenny will invite her to them. And Jenny does invite Amy - on the condition that Amy betray a friend's carefully guarded secret. Will Amy prove herself worthy of her true friend's trust?

This was the most enchanting book I think that I have ever read. Such beautiful illustrations.

This discovery of unpublished fables by Louisa May Alcott should be read by children during their important impressionable years. The illustrations are beautiful and complimentary to the text. While classics of Louisa May Alcott, Little Women and Little Men, are for the early teens, these fables for the preteens tease the imagination in a magical way. This sort of alternative to the upbringing of children by the video media is sorely needed and provided by Flower Fables.