2015 Louisa May Alcott READING CHALLENGE

"Good books, like good friends, are few and chosen; the more select, the more enjoyable."

- Louisa May Alcott




Welcome to the 2015 Louisa May Alcott reading challenge! Hosted by the blogs In the Bookcase and Louisa May Alcott Is My Passion.

Have you ever sampled a good story from the charming Miss Alcott?

Would you like to enjoy Miss Alcott's writings with me this June?



// Who she is... //

Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888) is an American authoress who inspires me. During her lifetime in the 19th century, she penned pages upon pages, delighting young girls and womenfolk, both then and now. Aside from being a writer, she briefly spent time nursing on the battlefield, and otherwise throughout her life supporting reform movements such as women's education, women's suffrage, abolitionism, and temperance.

Alcott wrote over a dozen novels, alongisde many short-story collections. Little Women is arguably the title of her most famous work, the story of 4 charming girls --- Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March --- growing up during hardships of the Civil War. Most readers can relate a close kinship to at least one of these blossoming characters --- through their pleasures, adventures, suitors, and life in general.

I cherish Miss Alcott's writings --- and although I've enjoyed a few books of hers throughout the last few years... I still have much to discover about this hardy woman. So I'm endeavoring this June to pick out a couple of good books written by or about this favorite lady-author of mine, and glean from the shining pages.

The challenge is now open and lasts through the whole month. You might like to take a moment to peruse (my bloggy friend and challenge co-host) Susan Bailey's articles at Louisa May Alcott Is My Passion, where I have discovered many recommendations on suitable book titles.


Won't you join me in a good book?

// About this challenge... //

How to take part in the June reading challenge:

Compile your list of Louisa May Alcott books that you would like to read, finish reading, or maybe re-read during June. Even books about L.M.A. are welcome---biographies, fictionalized accounts of her life, etc. Your goal could be 1 book, 5 books, or short stories. To supply more options, you may decide to download audio book or e-books.

Write a blog or social media post explaining all about the books you want to read for this challenge. Grab the code for the challenge button and include it in your post.

Link up below! Every time you share an update or, say, a book review, add it to our ongoing linky. I'll be stopping by to see your progress! The linky is the main headquarters of this reading challenge, so that the other participants can follow everyone's progress just by taking a look at the list of all the posts.

Next step: Start reading the books on your list! The challenge starts now and goes through June 30th. (You may begin reading at any point within this timeline.)

Browse through the other participants' blog posts, to see what everyone else is reading, and be sure to leave comments when you can. The only thing better than enjoying a good book, is enjoying it with like-minded friends!

Finally, when you have reached your goal, or by the time the challenge is ending:

Tell us about what you accomplished over the course of the challenge. Include any closing thoughts, or what you think of Louisa May Alcott now that you've read more of her works, etc. I'll be very pleased to hear about what you think at the end of this challenge!


{Click here for the button code.}

As an additional option, if you're on GOODREADS, come over and take part in our LMA Annual Reading Challenge group!

// Calendar of events... //

Check back on Fridays in June -- I'll have some interesting tidbits about our favorite author! Plus I'll have bonus posts (like book reviews) on other days too, which you won't want to miss.

June 1st ::: Start date. Get to reading!
June 2nd ::: My book list for the challenge
June 5th ::: Special giveaway!
June 12th ::: LMA's writings
June 19th ::: Challenge checkup point
June 26th ::: Unique gift ideas
June 30th ::: End date. Final overview and link-up!


And... be sure to visit Louisa May Alcott Is My Passion for Susan's start date post!


// Join the challenge... //

Submit your Louisa May Alcott blog or social media posts on the linky below. Any and ALL of your posts about Miss Alcott are welcome. If you decide to share a favorite quote, a book review, or any other thoughts... link up and take a look at some of the other participants' posts. Thank you for joining us!

Book Review: Behind Rebel Lines

Behind Rebel Lines
"The Incredible Story of Emma Edmonds, Civil War Spy"

written by Seymour Reit
130 pages
originally published in 1988 (re-published since then)

A person requires much courage if they are going to become a soldier.
It took a woman of great courage & bravery to freely decide to join the Union army of the Civil War.

Although most people didn't know at the time, several women (at least 400) joined the army undercover during the Civil War, and no one ever suspected it. At the age of 21, that is what Emma Edmonds, a Canadian-born, did. This book fictionalizes her true story. Emma Edmonds enlisted under the name of Franklin Thompson, but it didn't stop there. The journey of her first alias led her into becoming a reliable spy for the Union. She created new characters for herself on almost every mission the army sent her on, so that her old characters wouldn't be recognized by the Rebel army.

Bridget O'Shea, Irish peddler.

Cuff, freed slave.

Charles Mayberry, detective.

Those are just a few of her undercover names & disguises. The lengths Emma went to in order to keep her true identity a secret for years from either army... Amazing.

Behind Rebel Lines is one author's account of how the real Emma Edmond's story came to be. It is a simple, easy book to read, but I won't be forgetting what I learned.

Recommended for ages 8-12, and up.

Book Review: Shades of Gray

Shades of Gray

written by Carolyn Reeder

165 pages

This is one of my favorite books concerning America's Civil War! Actually, it's the fictional story of Will Page after the war ended. He is only 12 years old and has already lost his parents & siblings during the war.

Will has nowhere to go, except to live with his closest relatives in Piedmont, Virginia--an aunt, uncle & cousin, that he doesn't know. Because Will is so upset about the war taking his family, he can't stand the fact that this new family of his didn't even fight to protect the Confederates. They tried to remain neutral, to prevent harm coming to their own family. Will's heart is full of hard feelings towards his uncle especially, who could have fought in the war. I think it's a great book, because it shows insight of how feelings and emotions were still raging after the Civil War was over... even between family.

When this boy goes to live with his relatives, he also experiences a new life he never had before while living in the city, where he had slaves to do his work. Now he's learning how to work hard in the country, which completely changes his life around. He's never trapped rabbits, built a fence, or grown crops before. He also learns several life lessons... including courage, pride, and respect.

Check out this book. It is really worth the read! Recommended reading level is for ages 9-12--but I really enjoyed it myself, as did both my mother and my 15yo brother. It is also recommended in the Sonlight homeschool reading curriculum.

I'm participating in the Monthly Book Reviews Challenge. Please stop by Hannah's Hangout for more info, and to see all the other great book reviews for this month!