Little Women is recognised as one of the best-loved classic childrens stories of all time. Originally written as a girls story, its appeal transcends the boundaries of time and age, making it as popular with adults as it is with young readers. The beloved story of the March girls is a classic American novel, telling the story of four sisters: independent, tomboyish Jo; delicate, loving Beth; pretty, kind Meg; and precocious, beautiful Amy, the baby of the family. The charming story of these four "little women" and their wise and patient mother Marmee enduring hardships and enjoying adventures in Civil War New England was an instant success when first published in 1868 and has been adored for generations.