Jo's Boys

The Little Men and their respective sisters are full grown. The saga continues as the boys set-out around the world, embracing their young adult status. The book follows the individual adventures of the young men such as getting lost at sea, rising to fame and falling into poverty abroad, experiencing first love, and finally returning to share their stories at Plumfield. 

Little Men

The March girls are grown and raising their own children. Jo and the hubs Professor Bhaer started a school for boys...or little men. Plumfield is unlike any other boarding school; newcomer Nat Blake quickly discovers that learning at this school expands beyond the books. Through daring adventures, Nat realizes that he is among family.

Little Women

Little Women follows the story of the March family, particularly the March girls. It's an ageless commentary on life in community. Enough said. The rest of this post is about the author and the real historical figures behind the characters in the book.

Louisa May Alcott has long been my favorite author. That being said, Pride and Prejudice is still my favorite book : ). Ms. Alcott will always remain my primary inspiration, which is why I had to carve time on my trip up for a visit to Orchard House (the setting of Little Women and the Alcott family home)!!!

The Alcott's were change agents. Mr. A's radical education methods, such as physical exercise and inquiry learning have now been embraced as best practice. Mrs. A. was the first paid social worker in Boston; May (or Amy in LW) was a world famous artist who mentored America's favorite sculptor; and Louisa continues to influence the lives of children around the world with her timeless literature.

A few things I noticed from touring the home:
+Intentionality around meal time: Family discussions were based on individual journaling throughout the day.
+Reflection as mode of living: Everyone in the family kept a journal from a young age.
+Structure: The daily schedule accounted for every minute.
+Moral: The Alcotts were staunch and vocal abolitionists.
+Outdoors: the house blends into the woods around it. Concord and the rest of civilization fades away the moment you step on the property.
+Relationship as a way of understanding: Mr. A spent hours with Thoreau and Emerson in his study. Friends were constantly streaming through the Alcott home.
+Individualism: Each child was encouraged to pursue their passion. May drew all over the walls of her room, Anna performed in local plays, and Louisa wrote her book from a tiny desk that her father built for her in her bedroom.

+Hope: The underlying message of their devotion to hard work and effort was that change is possible, life is worth living, and truth must be told.

"It looks just like the movie!!!"

The Quran

Today is the first day of Ramadan. It seems fitting to include Islam's holy book. This English-only copy is a new translation by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan.

"All praise is due to God, the Lord of the Universe; the Beneficent, the Merciful; Lord of the Day of Judgement. you alone we worship, and to You alone we turn for help. Guide us to the straight path."
 - Sura 1

When Jessie Came Across the Sea

Somehow I'm on the verge of tears every time I finish this book. Jessie is a bright-eyed 13 year old who braves the Atlantic alone in search of new life in America. The rabbi of her little village in Europe hand chose Jessie to apprentice at a lace shop in New York. But the move separates Jessie from Grandmother -- her only living relative. Adjusting to life in a new country is full of challenges such as language, culture, and new laws. However, Jessie finds that the strong Jewish community embraces her with open arms. She diligently writes letters to Grandmother about her new life, learning, and budding romance. Readers follow their correspondence back-and-forth across the ocean until the two reunite in New York City.
Lexile: 0470L

The Keeping Quilt

Patricia Polacco shares the legacy passed down from her Great Gramma Anna, a Jewish immigrant from Russia. The quilt is portrayed in vivid colors on each page. This contrast makes a bold statement against the rest of the book's charcoal illustrations.

Farewell to Manzanar: A True Story of Japanese American Experience During and After the World War II Internment

During my undergrad years in Chicago, I had the privilege of meeting a Japanese American interment camp survivor. She, along with thousands of other Americans, were forced to live in these camps during WWII. According to my older friend, all of the Japanese Americans in her generation spent time in the camps. Their stories must be told in order for us to fully understand the effects of WWII on our country. Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston offers an insiders look at the interment camp through her poignant memoir.