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mabith January 27 2014, 13:38:16 UTC
Who was your buddy for the month? csichick_2
What books did they select for you to read? Little Men by Louisa May Alcott or Charles Dickens' The Christmas Books
What did you read? Little Men
Tell us about it: This is the book my father blames for ruining him for public school, though I imagine most brainy, bookish kids dislike public school for reasons unrelated to reading about a lovely miniature boarding school.

It follows Jo and Mr. Bhaer running their little ideal school where boys can have freedom to play and mess about so long as they rigorously follow the few rules set out. We see some new children added to the school, inventive methods of discipline, Jo dealing with the boys' sometimes anti-girl feeling, etc...

The book is sweet, and not really all that dated in terms of alternative school philosophies. As is evident in other books Alcott has a bit of a split personality in terms of traditions for women and writing what will sell while trying to slip the more subversive ideas in as well.
Recommendation: yes or no? Yeah, it's a nice little read.

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tanyareed January 27 2014, 22:30:38 UTC
I loved this book! It's one of my favorites from my childhood. The first time I read it (at age...14?), there was a bit in there with Dan that made me cry.

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mabith January 28 2014, 22:30:44 UTC
Aw, yeah. Dan was a great character, and it is a lovely book. I can see why it screwed up my dad for public school.

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