Jo's Boys vs Pollyanna

Both "Pollyanna" by Eleanor Hodgman Porter, Porter, Neil Reed, Lee Giles and "Jo's Boys" by Louisa May Alcott are popular choices for readers interested in Aunts and Cheerfulness. This comparison helps you decide which to read first — or whether both belong on your list.

Shared Themes

Classic LiteratureConduct of lifeFamilyFictionJuvenile Literature
Cover of Jo's Boys

Jo's Boys

Louisa May Alcott

1886

How is this book unique? Font adjustments & biography included Unabridged (100% Original content) Illustrated About Jo's Boys by Louisa May Alcott 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 the final book in the unofficial Little Women series. In it, Jo's "children," now grown, are caught up in real world troubles.The book mostly follows the lives of Plumfield boys who were introduced in Little Men, particularly Tommy, Emil, Demi, Nat, Dan, and Professor Bhaer and Jo's sons Rob and Teddy, although the others make frequent appearances as well. The book takes place ten years after Little Men. Dolly and George are college students dealing with the temptations of snobbery, arrogance, self-indulgence and vanity. Tommy becomes a medical student to impress childhood sweetheart Nan, but after "accidentally" falling in love with and proposing to Dora, he joins his family business.

Published 1886
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Cover of Pollyanna

Pollyanna

Eleanor Hodgman Porter, Porter, Neil Reed, Lee Giles

1912

The whole town is playing the game, and the whole town is wonderfully happier-and all because of one little girl who taught the people a new game, and how to play it. Suddenly orphaned, Pollyanna is sent across the country to a small town in Vermont, where she will live with her strict Aunt Polly. But Pollyanna doesn't seem to notice how stern and unfeeling her aunt really is. When feeling unhappy, she simply plays her "glad" game-finding a silver lining in every cloud. Eventually, Pollyanna brightens the lives of everyone in town with her infectious game, and finds a home for every stray cat, dog, and child she encounters. But then a terrible accident happens and Pollyanna can't find anything to feel glad about anymore. All her new friends turn out to support her, but will that be enough to restore Pollyanna's cheerful outlook on life?

Published 1912
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is easier to read: Pollyanna or Jo's Boys?
Reading difficulty depends on your familiarity with the genre. Check each book's page count and subject matter above, and start with whichever aligns better with books you've enjoyed before.
Can I read Pollyanna and Jo's Boys in any order?
Yes — these are standalone works. You don't need to read one before the other unless they're part of the same series.
Which book is better for beginners?
If you're new to this genre, look at the shorter book with broader appeal and start there. You can always come back for the other.

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