49 pages • 1 hour read
Louisa May AlcottA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Nat brings Dan, a 14-year-old boy he used to know from his days as a street performer, to Plumfield. The Bhaers decide to let Dan stay on a trial basis, though Mrs. Jo is skeptical that he will fit in as he seems tough and confrontational. Nat takes Dan to meet the other boys in the barn, where he impresses them with backflips, but then tricks Tommy into giving him his jackknife. Despite Dan’s gruffness, the boys come to admire his daring and strong nature, and Mr. Bhaer and Mrs. Jo notice that he is kind to animals and to the baby Teddy.
One day, Mr. Bhaer finds Dan and Emil fighting each other, which is against the school rules. Later, Dan convinces Tommy to play matador by riding the donkey Toby and hitting Mr. Bhaer’s cow Buttercup with a stick. In the fray, Tommy is thrown from the donkey and Buttercup strains her shoulder jumping over a fence to run away. Mr. Bhaer is disappointed in Dan’s cruel treatment of the animals but gives him one more chance.
Dan wants to stay at Plumfield but can’t keep himself out of trouble.
By Louisa May Alcott
Books that Feature the Theme of...
View Collection
Books that Feature the Theme of...
View Collection
Childhood & Youth
View Collection
Coming-of-Age Journeys
View Collection
Community
View Collection
Earth Day
View Collection
Education
View Collection
Forgiveness
View Collection
Friendship
View Collection
Juvenile Literature
View Collection
Loyalty & Betrayal
View Collection
Mothers
View Collection
Teams & Gangs
View Collection
Truth & Lies
View Collection
Valentine's Day Reads: The Theme of Love
View Collection