Jo's Boys

infobox Book |
name = Jo's Boys
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = Cover and spine, 1887 edition
author = Louisa May Alcott
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = USA
language = English
series =
genre = Children's literature
publisher = Roberts Brothers
release_date = 1886
english_release_date =
media_type = Print
pages = 375 pp.
(First edition)
isbn =
preceded_by = Little Men
followed_by =

"Jo's Boys, and How They Turned Out: A Sequel to "Little Men"" is a novel by American author Louisa May Alcott, first published in 1886. The novel is considered by some to be the final book in the unofficial "Little Women" trilogy. In it, Jo's "children", now grown, are caught up in real world troubles.

Plot details

The book mostly follows the lives of Plumfield boys who were introduced in "Little Men", particularly Tommy, Demi, Nat, Dan, and Emil, although Franz, Nan, Daisy, Dolly, and Stuffy make frequent appearances as well. The book takes place ten years after "Little Men". The babies from student to try to impress Nan, but joins his family business after "accidentally" falling in love with and proposing to a girl named Dora. Dolly and George are still students dealing with the temptations of snobbery, arrogance, self-indulgence and vanity.

Sections of "Jo's Boys" follow the travels of former students who have deep emotional ties to Plumfield and the Bhaers. Emil is now a sailor, and takes off on his first voyage as second mate and shows his true strength when he is shipwrecked and the captain badly injured. Dan seeks his fortune in the West and ends up in jail. He also falls in love with a person far beyond his reach, Jo's niece Bess. Nat begins a musical career in Europe that takes him away from Daisy, only to fall in with a frivolous crowd and unintentionally lead a young woman on.

Romance also plays a role in "Jo's Boys," as Franz and Emil both become married and Tommy, Demi, Nat and Daisy are engaged by the end of the book. There are also frequent references to the love between the Bhaers and the Laurences. Nan remains single, dedicated to her medical career.

Dan ends up committing the one sin he and Jo always feared he would, though it was in defence of both self and a younger boy, Blair...he kills a man who cheats Blair in gambling.Dan is sentenced for a year with hard labour and only just gets through.He saves mine workers from drowning and is brought back home a hero, when he confides in Mother Bhaer about his sin and the punishment that followed.She also discovers his fancy for Beth,though not entirely surprised. Dan tells her of this fancy and that Beth seemed like the bright northern star which guided him.However, knowing that Amy wouldn't approve, Jo makes sure that the Laurences are away when Dan leaves again.........Sadly,Dan dies protecting the Indians but lies in peace as if Aslauga's Knight had done his duty. And it ended on the note that AMy regrets not letting beth with Dan since beth loved dan.