""Jack and Jill,"" which has been out of print for over a decade, was
originally published in 1880. It was the last of Louisa May Alcott's
eight novels for children that began with ""Little Women."" Subititled
""A Village Story,"" it is set in Harmony Village, a fictional small New
England town. The book tells the story of neighbors and best friends
Jack Minot and Janey Pecq, nicknamed ""Jill"" because she is Jack's
constant companion. The two young people go up a snowy hill one December
day and suffer a serious sledding accident. The story follows the two
and their friends through their recovery, through winter and spring
holidays and activities, summer vacation, and back to a new school year.
"". . they were just beginning to look about them as they stepped out of
childhood into youth . . . There are many such boys and girls, full of
high hopes, lovely possibilities, and earnest plans, pausing a moment
before they push their little boats from the safe shore.""