Beth Is Dead

Gr 7 Up–A delightful reboot of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. Told in then and now chapters, alternating between the four March sisters, this modern reimagining spins the original in a new direction: what if Beth didn’t just die? What if Beth was murdered? As the story opens, Dad’s violated the four girls’ privacy by writing a book about them, and they are furious. His story has really gotten traction—they now have a viral following, and even Teen Vogue is looking for an interview. Fingers are quickly pointing as it’s soon revealed that Beth really is dead. The characters are richly recreated, and even many of the secondary characters mirror the original work. The romance and intrigue are timeless. The cast is presumed white. This story stands on its own, but readers may find themselves lured to pursue the original.