Author:Louisa May Alcott
'As they sat together in the twilight, talking over their small plans, the future always grew so beautiful and bright'
Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy have grown up together in Orchard House with their friend Laurie next door, and now it's time for them to go out and find their places in the big wide world, to do the great and marvellous things they've dreamed of and discover their 'castles in the air'. They each find themselves tested, and fall in love, but when tragedy strikes they find their best comfort is in each other, and home.
BACKSTORY: Learn more about the unusual author and have a go at making jam!
Six generations of readers have found in the story of the March family universal truths about girls, families and growing up
—— GuardianDeals with life's big questions - love and death, war and peace, and ambition versus family responsibility - in a way that is inspiring and realistic. Use a hankie as a bookmark - tears are guaranteed
—— Marie ClaireGood Wives is a glorious weep-a-minute...a more complex narrative that follows each of the girls' journeys, real or metaphorical, away from the parental home
—— IndependentSo what makes these different to any other set of classics? In a moment of inspiration Random House had the bright idea of actually asking Key stage 2 children what extra ingredients they could add to make children want to read. And does it work? Well, put it this way...my 13-year-old daughter announced that she had to read a book over the summer holiday and, without any prompting, spotted The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas...and proceeded to read it! Now, if you knew my 13-year-old daughter, you would realise that this is quite remarkable. She reads texts, blogs and tags by the thousand - but this is the first book she has read since going to high school, so all hail Vintage Classics!
—— National Association for the Teaching of EnglishA sensitive and beautifully observed story . . . our young readers appreciated both the humour and the pathos
—— Federation of Children's Book Groups on THE STORY OF TRACY BEAKERTold in the zany, entirely convincing voice of Tracy Beaker herself . . . The strains of communal life with other children, rivalries and friendships and jokes, all spring to life, and Tracy's prose is decorated throughout with cheeky line drawings
—— Sunday Times on THE STORY OF TRACY BEAKERThese three stories are moving, powerful and enlightening.
—— Through the Looking GlassFull of convincing local detail.
—— Bournemouth Daily EchoDibben expertly captures the sights, sounds and smells of Sweden in the 1790s and all the horror, drama and everyday life of Ancient Rome, even down to the snacks people ate in the street . . . The History Keepers has reminded me why I first started reading teenage fiction again – when it’s done well, as this is, you get proper heroes and villains . . . This series will be devoured by those who are looking for something new post Harry P.
—— Katy MoranAn exciting plot, evil baddies and lovable heroes all add to this exciting page-turner as the History Keepers race around Rome.
—— Scribbler Magazine