Middle Grade Monday features not one, but two graphic novel adaptations of the classic, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, originally published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869. She later went on to write sequels. The story of the four March sisters was very autobiographical and featured Jo, a fiercely independent young woman who yearns to become a writer. Due to the prevailing limitations placed on women at the time, marriage was the only acceptable outcome and few occupations were open for women who chose not to marry. Ms. Alcott's publisher would not accept a story in which Jo did not marry. In real life, Louisa May Alcott never married and supported her family with her writing.
Fast forward to the twenty-first century. Girls play sports, thanks to the 1972 Title IX legislation, women work, often in professions that were previously closed to women and we have a female Vice President. Over the hundred and fifty plus years since the publication of Little Women, scholars have studied and written extensively about the work and the Alcott family.
In 2019, it was adapted as a graphic novel and modernized in Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy: a Graphic Novel by Rey Terciero. In this adaptation, the March family is a blended, bi-racial family trying to make ends meet in a New York City apartment and Mr. March is serving overseas. The bright palette and easy-to-follow panels will appeal to fans of Raina Telgemeier.
2020 saw the release of Jo: an Adaptation of Little Women (Sort of) by Kathleen Gros. This adaptation is set in the suburbs with Mrs. March working double-shifts as a nurse to help make ends meet while Mr. March is deployed overseas. Jo decides to join the school newspaper.
Both adaptations stay fairly faithful to the original. Laurie still moves in next door and befriends the sisters. Jo remains fiercely independent and slowly comes to a truth about herself.
Few middle school readers attempt to tackle the original Little Women. It's quite lengthy, but some have over the years. I didn't read it until high school, reread it for an American Lit class in college, then several times since then. These two adaptations are a perfect introduction for younger readers. Fans of the original will enjoy the way the two authors approached the classic.
Fast forward to the twenty-first century. Girls play sports, thanks to the 1972 Title IX legislation, women work, often in professions that were previously closed to women and we have a female Vice President. Over the hundred and fifty plus years since the publication of Little Women, scholars have studied and written extensively about the work and the Alcott family.
Image: LBYR
In 2019, it was adapted as a graphic novel and modernized in Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy: a Graphic Novel by Rey Terciero. In this adaptation, the March family is a blended, bi-racial family trying to make ends meet in a New York City apartment and Mr. March is serving overseas. The bright palette and easy-to-follow panels will appeal to fans of Raina Telgemeier.
Image: HarperCollins Publishers
Both adaptations stay fairly faithful to the original. Laurie still moves in next door and befriends the sisters. Jo remains fiercely independent and slowly comes to a truth about herself.
Few middle school readers attempt to tackle the original Little Women. It's quite lengthy, but some have over the years. I didn't read it until high school, reread it for an American Lit class in college, then several times since then. These two adaptations are a perfect introduction for younger readers. Fans of the original will enjoy the way the two authors approached the classic.
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