This book starts of with Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy wishing they could by Christmas presents for themselves with the 1 dollar they had. Beth gets an idea that the girls should buy presents for Marmee (Marmee is a name for mother). When their mother comes home they see that she has a letter from their father, who is serving as a Chaplin in the war between the states. At the end of the letter it states "I hope I will be prouder than ever of my little women" and everyone resolved to be very good. The next day at breakfast Marmee goes out to see a poor family and when she comes back she asks her girls to give the Hummels, a poor family their breakfast. Each girl happily gives their breakfast to the Hummels. At night they get ice cream, fruit, cake, and four bouquets of flowers. Mr. Laurence the kind next door neighbor sent all these. He was pleased how the March girls gave up their breakfast. Mr.Laurence's grandson Laurie had the idea and told it to his grandfather. The boy needs cheering up Jo had said to her family. Jo and Meg got an invitation from Mrs.Gardiner asking them to a party. At the party Jo found Laurie behind a curtain and they danced and talked with each other. When it was time to go Meg had sprained an ankle so Laurie offered his carriage for them to use. The next day everyone feels out of sorts, but they do their duties anyway. Meg goes to teach the King children and Jo goes to keep Mrs.March, her aunt company. When Meg and Jo get home all the sisters tell about their day and Marmee tells a story with a moral.  Jo had always wanted to go to Laurie's house and she went to his house when she saw him looking out the window. They talked and became good friends. When Jo told her family about the visit  they all wished to go. When the family visited, Beth played on the grand piano. Beth made slippers for Mr.Laurence as a thank-you gift for letting her use their piano. A few days later there was a piano and note for Beth. It was from Mr.Laurence. A few days later Amy takes limes to school even though she was not supposed to and she got in trouble by her teacher. After a week Jo and Meg go out with Laurie, but Amy wants to go with them. Jo doesn't let her and Amy gets revenge on her by destroying her book that she was writing. After this Jo ignores Amy and when Jo goes ice skating Amy follows, but falls into the icy water. After this both Jo and Amy forgive each other. In April Meg goes to the Moffats for 2 weeks. At a part y Belle the oldest Moffat sister dresses Meg up like a doll and Meg flirts and drinks. When she goes home she confesses it all to her mother and her mother gives her some advice. When spring ends all the girls want to just play during the summer and do no work. Their mother says they can try it for a week and see how they like it. At the end of the week everyone is bored and tired from only playing and they all agree it is good to have some wirk and some play. A few weeks later the March girls go on a picnic with Laurie and some of his friends from England. They had a pleasant time. A few days later the March sisters go on a picnic with Laurie and do their work outside. Jo writes a book and she reads it to her sisters and mother. They all love the book she wrote. A day in late November they get a telagram from a hospital saying that Mr.March, their father, is very ill. Mrs.March goes to see him with Mr.Brooke. The girls are on their own. They all have jobs to do. Meg didn't ant to, Amy got bored, Jo caught a bad cold and had to stay in bed, but Beth faithfully did all her work and sometimes her sisters. Beth visited the Hummels everyday like their mother told them. Beth came home that evening sad. Miss.Hummels baby died because of scarlet fever. Beth had caught from Miss.Hummels baby. She was very sick and everybody gave the March family gifts and food, the doctor came twice a day, and everyone visited them. One day they had to telagrph their mother, but Beth started to get better when their mother came. In December, on Cristmas the March girls father comes home and there is a happy family reunion. In the end of the book Mr.Brooke and Meg get engaged.