Little Women; or, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy
The central and most representative entry point into Alcott's fiction and the March family novels.
Author guide
Louisa May Alcott Books in Order
Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888) was an American writer whose work ranged from children’s fiction and domestic novels to sensation fiction, Civil War memoir, essays, poetry, and drama. Her best-known books are Little Women, Little Men, and Jo’s Boys, while her writing under the pseudonym A. M. Barnard includes darker novels and thrillers. Alcott also wrote about abolition, women’s rights, reform, work, family life, and her experience as a Civil War nurse.
children's literaturenovelnovellashort storyfairy talememoirnonfictiondramapoetryletters and journals
Catalog record updated .
Not sure where to begin?
Start with one of these
Hospital Sketches
A concise memoir showing Alcott's nonfiction voice and Civil War nursing experience.
Behind a Mask: The Unknown Thrillers of Louisa May Alcott
A useful entry point to Alcott's darker sensation fiction published under a pseudonym.
Read in order
Books by series
novel-series · complete
March Family
Three novels following the March sisters, Jo March, and the school at Plumfield.
- 1 Little Women; or, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy
Book 1 · novel · 1868
Lovely Meg, talented Jo, frail Beth, spoiled Amy: these are hard lessons of poverty and of growing up in New England during the Civil War. Through their dreams, plays, pranks, letters, illnesses, and courtships, women of all ages have…
- 2 Little Men: Life at Plumfield with Jo's Boys
Book 2 · novel · 1871
- 3 Jo's Boys and How They Turned Out
Book 3 · novel · 1886
This sequel to Alcott's "Little Women" and "Little Men" chronicles the return of the classmates of Plumfield, Jo's school for boys. Readers reencounter Nat, the orphaned street musician, now a conservatory student; restless Dan, back from…
- 1 Eight Cousins; or, The Aunt-Hill
Book 1 · novel · 1875
Rose, a shy orphan, blossoms in the company of her spirited relatives when she takes up residence at "The Aunt Hill." This captivating novel by the author of Little Women offers readers of all ages endearing, inspiring stories about…
- 2 Rose in Bloom: A Sequel to Eight Cousins
Book 2 · novel · 1876
Rose Campbell's adventures with her cousins continue in this sequel to "Eight Cousins."
collection-series · complete
Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag
A six-volume series of stories, sketches, travel pieces, and other writings for young readers.
- 1 Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag: My Boys, Etc.
Book 1 · short-story-collection · 1872
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as…
- 2 Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag: Shawl-Straps, Etc.
Book 2 · short-story-collection · 1872
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as…
- 3 Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag: Cupid and Chow-Chow, Etc.
Book 3 · short-story-collection · 1874
- 4 Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag: My Girls, Etc.
Book 4 · short-story-collection · 1878
- 5 Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag: Jimmy's Cruise in the Pinafore, Etc.
Book 5 · short-story-collection · 1879
- 6 Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving, Etc.
Book 6 · short-story-collection · 1882
collection-series · complete
Lulu's Library
A three-volume series of stories written for Alcott's niece Lulu.
- 1 Lulu's Library, Volume I: A Christmas Dream
Book 1 · short-story-collection · 1886
- 2 Lulu's Library, Volume II: The Frost King
Book 2 · short-story-collection · 1887
- 3 Lulu's Library, Volume III: Recollections
Book 3 · short-story-and-essay-collection · 1889
Outside the series
Bibliography by category
Novels (11)
- Moods
novel · 1864
Sylvia Yule marries one of her brother's two best friends, only to discover she has chosen the wrong man.
- The Rose Family: A Fairy Tale
novella · 1864
- The Mysterious Key and What It Opened
novella · 1867
- An Old-Fashioned Girl
novel · 1870
Polly's friendship with the wealthy Shaws of Boston helps them to build a new life and teaches her the truth about the relationship between happiness and riches.
- Work: A Story of Experience
novel · 1873
A story about a nineteenth-century woman's search for a meaningful life through work outside the family sphere, Work is at once Alcott's exploration of her personal challenges and a social critique of America.
- A Modern Mephistopheles
novel · 1877
- Under the Lilacs
novel · 1878
Ben and his trained dog, Sancho, run away from the circus and soon find a warm welcome in a kind community where spirited games are played. Theatricals and imaginative pageantry are all part of the fun.
- Jack and Jill: A Village Story
novel · 1880
- Mountain-Laurel and Maidenhair
novella · 1887
- A Long Fatal Love Chase
novel · 1995
Roasamond Vivian, a young girl living with her bitter grandfather, yearns for excitement. When Phillip Tempest pays a visit, Rosamond finds herself charmed by him, though he is nearly twice her age and quite obviously "not a saint." She…
- The Inheritance
novel · 1997
Set in an English country manor, the story follows the turbulent fortunes of Edith Adelon, an impoverished Italian orphan whose loyalty and beauty win her the patronage of wealthy friends until a jealous rival contrives to rob her of her…
Nonfiction (3)
- Hospital Sketches
memoir · 1863
Hospital Sketches is a compilation of four sketches based on letters Louisa May Alcott sent to her home during the time she spent as a volunteer nurse for the Union Army during the American Civil War in Georgetown.Any profits made from…
- Louisa May Alcott: Her Life, Letters, and Journals
memoir-and-journals · 1889
- The Girlhood Diary of Louisa May Alcott, 1843–1846
journal · 2001
Short fiction (12)
- On Picket Duty and Other Tales
short-story-collection · 1864
- Morning-Glories and Other Stories
short-story-collection · 1867
- Proverb Stories
short-story-collection · 1868
- Silver Pitchers and Independence: A Centennial Love Story
essay-and-story-collection · 1876
A collection of nine stories, including "Silver Pitchers" and "Independence: A Centennial Love Story" by the author of "Little Women."
- Spinning-Wheel Stories
short-story-collection · 1884
By the author of the classic book, "Little Women," this long out-of-print collection of heart-warming tales by Louisa May Alcott show why her stories continue to endear this truly great American author to children all over the world.
- May Flowers
short-story-collection · 1887
- Behind a Mask: The Unknown Thrillers of Louisa May Alcott
short-story-collection · 1975
From the book:Has she come?"No, Mamma, not yet.""I wish it were well over. The thought of it worries and excites me. A cushion for my back, Bella." And poor, peevish Mrs. Coventry sank into an easy chair with a nervous sigh and the air of…
- Louisa's Wonder Book: An Unknown Alcott Juvenile
short-story-collection · 1975
- Plots and Counterplots: More Unknown Thrillers of Louisa May Alcott
short-story-collection · 1976
- From Aunt Jo's Attic: Stories of Intrigue and Suspense
short-story-collection · 1993
- The Quiet Little Woman: A Christmas Story
short-story-collection · 1999
The Quiet Little Woman, Tilly's Christmas, Rosa's Tale: Three Enchanting Stories by Louisa May Alcott
- The Early Stories of Louisa May Alcott, 1852–1860
short-story-collection · 2000
Poetry (1)
- The Poems of Louisa May Alcott
poetry-collection · 2000
Plays (1)
- Comic Tragedies Written by Jo and Meg and Acted by the Little Women
play-collection · 1893
Fans of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women will remember the elaborate plays which the March sisters loved to perform. This volume, published after Alcott's death, is a compilation of the real plays written by her and her sisters, which…
Other (3)
- Flower Fables
fairy-tale-collection · 1854
Louisa May Alcott was twenty-one when she published this, her first book. A collection of fairy stories and poems she originally told to Ralph Waldo Emerson's daughter Ellen, Flower Fables is a charming and delightful achievement from the…
- The Candy Country
fairy-tale · 1885
- A Garland for Girls
fairy-tale-collection · 1888
From the book:Being Boston girls, of course they got up a club for mental improvement, and, as they were all descendants of the Pilgrim Fathers, they called it the Mayflower Club. A very good name, and the six young girls who were members…
Frequently asked questions about Louisa May Alcott
Who was Louisa May Alcott?
Louisa May Alcott was an American novelist, memoirist, and reformer best known for Little Women. She also published sensation fiction under the pseudonym A. M. Barnard.
Sources: guides.loc.gov (opens in a new tab)loa.org (opens in a new tab)
When and where was Louisa May Alcott born?
She was born on November 29, 1832, in Germantown, Pennsylvania.
Sources: npgallery.nps.gov (opens in a new tab)loc.gov (opens in a new tab)
What inspired Louisa May Alcott to write Little Women?
Little Women was inspired largely by Alcott’s family life, especially her relationships with her three sisters. Her upbringing in Concord among reformers and Transcendentalist thinkers also influenced the novel.
Sources: louisamayalcott.org (opens in a new tab)loc.gov (opens in a new tab)
Did Louisa May Alcott serve as a Civil War nurse?
Yes. In 1862, she served at Union Hotel Hospital in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.; her experiences later inspired Hospital Sketches.
Sources: civilwarmed.org (opens in a new tab)loc.gov (opens in a new tab)
What is Louisa May Alcott’s legacy?
Alcott’s legacy is centered on Little Women, which became an enormous critical and popular success and helped establish her as a literary celebrity. Her work remains important in children’s literature for its memorable, independent female characters.
Sources: loa.org (opens in a new tab)guides.loc.gov (opens in a new tab)