Alcott, Louisa May. The Journals Of Louisa May Alcott. Boston: Little, Brown, 1989.
Who can tell it better? For a first hand look at the author’s life, read her journals. Get insights into her thinking while learning all about her.
Anderson, William. The World Of Louisa May Alcott: A First-time Glimpse Into The Life And Times Of Louisa May Alcott, Author Of Little Women. New York: Harper Perennial, 1995.
Another biography that also includes photos. Be sure to read about her interesting family.
Clark, Beverly Lyon. Regendering The School Story: Sassy Sissies And Tattling Tomboys. New York: Garland Pub., 1996. This examines several authors and their works concerning girls and school stories. Among the discussions: Louisa May and the way she incorporates school into her stories.
Delamar, Gloria T. Louisa May Alcott And Little Women. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 1990.
Biography, criticism, and some of her shorter works, including poems and songs
Elbert, Sarah. A Hunger For Home: Louisa May Alcott's Place In American Culture. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1984.
Discussion about women, sex and the home in literature.
Fisher, Aileen Lucia. We Alcotts; The Story Of Louisa M. Alcott's Family As Seen Through The Eyes Of "Marmee," Mother Of Little Women. New York: Atheneum, 1968.
A fictional view of Louisa May Alcott's family written as her mother might have written the story of their adventures as a poor but creative family. Juvenile fiction, but a good start for teachers.
Foster, Shirley. What Katy Read: Feminist Re-Readings Of "Classic" Stories For Girls. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1995.
History and criticism of writings by women.
McSherry, Frank, ed. Civil War Women : American Women Shaped By Conflict In Stories By Alcott, Chopin, And Welty. Little Rock: August House, 1988.
Includes several short stories by women about the war, including one by Louisa May.
Moses, Belle. Louisa May Alcott: Dreamer And Worker, A Story Of Achievement. New York: D. Appleton, 1930.
Older biography by someone who was alive in Louisa’s lifetime. Interesting for historical value.
Salyer, Sandford Meddick. Marmee, The Mother Of Little Women. Norman: Univ. of Oklahoma Press, 1949.
Marmee was a big influence on Louisa and deserves this book on her life. It is an older biography but full of facts that should not be overlooked.
Shephard, Odell. Pedlar’s Progess; The Life Of Bronson Alcott. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1937.
Though it was published over 60 years ago, this is a comprehensive and scholarly look at a fascinating man. Bronson Alcott was a major influence on American education and impacted his daughter’s life.
Strickland, Charles. Victorian Domesticity: Families In The Life And Art Of Louisa May Alcott. University, Ala: University of Alabama Press, 1985.
Shows the influence of family on Alcott’s family. A good resource work.
Ticknor, Caroline. May Alcott. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1928.
Another Alcott family member who was the subject of a biographical work. May was the artistic sister who served as the model for Amy. Once again, an older reference with valuable information.