Little Women is Louisa May Alcott's classic coming-of-age story following the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they navigate poverty, personal struggles, and growth during the Civil War era in New England while their father serves as a chaplain. The novel details their journey from girlhood to womanhood, highlighting themes of family, love, ambition, and sacrifice as they pursue dreams, find romance (with neighbor Laurie and others), face tragedy (Beth's illness and death), and ultimately find their unique paths to happiness, with Jo becoming a writer and marrying Professor Bhaer, Meg marrying John Brooke, and Amy marrying Laurie.