Little Men

The third book in the Little Women quartet sees headstrong Jo, now grown-up and married, setting up a school with all the rewards and troubles that followAfter her marriage to Professor Friedrich Bhaer, Jo uses the money from her inheritance from Aunt March to set up a school at Plumfield. Their latest arrival is Nat Blake, a timid orphan boy whose life so far has been spent playing the violin to make money on the streets. Nat joins the 10 other children at the school--a gang made up of neglected children, orphans, and also Meg's twin boy and girl. The touching friendship and camaraderie between the group is expertly described. The peaceful equilibrium of the school is troubled though when Nat introduces Dan to the mix--the latter then leads the boys into experimenting with drinking, smoking, fighting, and playing cards. Moving and poignant, "Little Men" is far from saccharine and emotions run high throughout, particularly with the death of a prominent character towards the end of the tale.