I absolutely love this book. I've been reading it every other year since I was probably in my teens, and I never get tired of it. Alcott tells the story of the "country mouse" who visits her dear friend in the city. Yes, you do hear Alcott's opinions on manners of dress and such, of the time period, but this isn't a bad thing, because manners, character, and how you treat others is so much more important than whether you're wearing the latest fashions or if you have money.

Polly Milton is not a perfect little girl, but the story covers a childhood visit to her friends, and then six years later, when she's grown up. Fanny, Tom, and Maud Shaw are part of a rich family that think they have it better than the Miltons, but you find that they're missing out on things like love among family and the important things in their lives. Much as they love Polly, they sometimes patronize her and hurt her feelings, but she does her best to forgive them, love them anyway, and brings sunshine into their lives... the kind that they didn't know was missing.

I always enjoy the episodes with Grandmother Shaw, because though she is just as "old-fashioned" as Polly, she is a lonely lady with wisdom and love to share with her family. And she has several stories to tell that are set almost back into the times of the American Revolution, which are quite fun to hear.

Also, when the children are grown up, I like the juxtaposition of poverty and riches, and of reversals that some people had, and then how they discovered who their true friends are. Polly has some very "strong-minded" women friends, for the time, but they are looking for improvements for women as well as trying to be the best they can be, whether in art or in the home... and they dont' look down on a woman that stays at home and looks after her family. Some modern-day feminists could take a lesson from that, for there is beauty in a mother staying at home with her children, and nothing wrong with making that choice.

A final note: Polly has some interesting opinions on how to let someone down, if she knows they might be losing their heart. Not trying to give spoilers, but while her friends of the day like to see how many men they can string along, she finds this objectionable, and does her best to avoid hurting someone in the long run, and I think it's a wonderful way of doing things. Even nowadays, some people like to see who they can "catch", never mind how many hearts get broken.

If you love Little Women and Little Men, you should definitely read An Old-Fashioned Girl. I actually lean towards liking Little Men better, even though Little Women has more depth (and length), and is the classic favorite. But I also adore Alcott's Eight Cousins and Rose in Bloom, but haven't had time to write reviews for them, yet. So, keep that in mind, and don't avoid them just because they look more "childish" on some covers than Little Women. Mac, from Eight Cousins and Rose in Bloom, may just be my favorite Alcott "hero", but maybe that's just my preference, because he's an avowed bookworm.