Jo & Laurie by Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz - ADVISABLE

Jo & Laurie by Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz, 384 pages. Putnam (Penguin), JUNE 2020. $19

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Jo March may have success with her first major novel, Little Women, but she is arguing with her editor and publisher about the need for a sequel.  But her fans are clamoring – then even send her letters! But just like she has no idea where to send the lives of her fictional family, Jo’s own life is in turmoil. Her heart belongs to her writing – not writing more stories about her life and her family, but the real writing that doesn’t pay the bills.  And Meg seems to be actually interested in Mr. Brooks.  The world doesn’t know that Beth actually is dead, and Teddy is becoming more persistent in romancing her.

I’ll tell you right up front – I am not one of those readers who always wanted Laurie and Jo to be true loves.  I have read all of the books and I have always love Mr. Bhaer and his life with Jo. But Stohl and delaCruz mix together a triple layered narrative that is a lot of fun to read. Like the latest movie, you really need to know the books in order to fully appreciate the many layers these authors have built.  They are so skillful, I didn’t even mind that this fictional Jo March does end up with Laurie. This is NOT a spoiler – it’s right on the cover. The only reason this isn’t ESSENTIAL is that the actual audience for it is small.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS