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Great or Nothing

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( 2,006 ratings, 517 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Great or Nothing reimagines Louisa May Alcott's classic story, Little Women, during World War II. This novel focuses on the March sisters as they navigate a world at war, each coping with their grief and ambitions while finding strength in unexpected places. With narratives penned by Caroline Tung Richmond and Joy McCullough, the story explores themes of loss, change, and resilience in turbulent times.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you love dynamic retellings of classic stories. This children's book offers a fresh perspective on the timeless tale of Little Women, set against the backdrop of World War II. It weaves together themes of family, resilience, and sisterhood, making it perfect for readers who appreciate historical fiction with a modern twist.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A reimagining of Little Women set in 1942, when the United States is suddenly embroiled in the Second World War, this story, told from each March sister's point of view, is one of grief, love, and self-discovery.

In the fall of 1942, the United States is still reeling from the attack on Pearl Harbor. While the US starts sending troops to the front, the March family of Concord, Massachusetts, grieves their own enormous loss—the death of daughter Beth.

Under the strain of their grief, Beth's remaining sisters fracture, each going their own way, with Jo nursing her wounds and building planes in Connecticut, Meg holding down the home front with Marmee, and Amy living a secret life as a Red Cross volunteer in London—the same city where one Mr. Theodore Laurence is stationed as an army pilot.

Each March sister's point of view is written by a separate author, three in prose and Beth's in verse, still holding the family together from beyond the grave. Woven together, these threads tell a story of finding one's way in a world undergoing catastrophic change.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Great or Nothing is praised for its poignant and clever storytelling, offering a heartfelt exploration of family and sisterhood set against a World War II backdrop. Reviewers have found it an inventive retelling of Little Women, highlighting the sisters' unbreakable bonds and agency. The novel is deemed a must-read for fans of Louisa May Alcott, with its compelling character connections and wide appeal.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780593372623

Publisher: Random House USA Inc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 14 March 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Random House Inc

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 400

About the Author

Joy McCullough's debut YA novel Blood Water Paint was named to the National Book Award Longlist and was a finalist for the William C. Morris Debut Award. Her debut middle-grade novel, A Field Guide to Getting Lost, is a Junior Library Guild Selection. She writes books from her home in the Seattle area, where she lives with her husband and two children. Caroline Tung Richmond is the award-winning author of The Only Thing to Fear, The Darkest Hour, and Hungry Hearts. She is also the program director of We Need Diverse Books. A self-proclaimed history nerd and cookie connoisseur, Caroline lives in Maryland with her family. Tess Sharpe lives deep in the backwoods with a pack of dogs. She is the author of many books for children, teens, and adults, including the critically acclaimed YA novel Far From You and the Jurassic World prequel The Evolution of Claire. She is also the co-editor of Toil & Trouble, a feminist anthology about witches. Jessica Spotswood is the author of the fantasy trilogy The Cahill Witch Chronicles and the contemporary novels Wild Swans and The Last Summer of the Garrett Girls. She is the editor of A Tyranny of Petticoats and The Radical Element and co-editor of Toil & Trouble. Jess lives in Washington, DC, where she works for the DC Public Library.

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