Gr 3-5--As hard as it must be to write a sequel or prequel to one's own book, it must be doubly difficult to write a new story using someone else's creations, especially such well-known characters as the March girls. Pfeffer offers a slight story that takes place before Alcott's book; it's set when the girls are younger (Jo is 10), before the war and Pa's absence from home. The family members seem familiar, but the language of the story is simplified. Missing is the slightly acerbic, yet sentimental voice of Alcott's Jo, whose rich language and firm beliefs in her sisters' innate goodness and abilities are imbued with an ageless innocence. Here, Jo spends much of the book agonizing over her decision to offer herself as the logical daughter to be sent to live with her wealthy great-aunt, which, of course, never happens, and all ends well. The story is followed by a recipe for apple pie that suggests buying a prepared crust, and directions to make a family tree just like Jo's, which is illustrated. This genealogy leaves out Aunt March, but does include details of Beth's death, and the spouses of the other sisters, thereby giving away most of the plot of Alcott's Little Women. Flagrantly self-promoting sample chapters from the other series titles follow these activities, plus a one-page biographical note about Alcott and Pfeffer. This mediocre effort ultimately comes across as an attempt to cash in on books and characters best left to enjoy the limelight of our historical regard on their own. Carol A. Edwards, Minneapolis Public Library

3-6