Becoming Jo by Sophie McKenzie

In this retelling of classic Little Women made modern, we see from the perspective of aspiring writer Jo, as she befriends a guy her age called Lateef whom is an immigrant orphan living across the road from her family with his foster dad who lost his family too. He's richer than Jo and her family.

Amy is quite superficial wanting a nose job and to fit in and find friends as well as enjoy making art and painting.

Beth is shy and quiet loving to play piano but not in front of others and needs to find her confidence.

Meg dreams of being a nanny as she loves kids but feels judged by Jo who though she wanted to be a designer as she's good with styling.

Jo of course wants to be an author.

As the novel progresses, Jo and Amy come to blows about her writing, a fall out over money with Lateef leaves Jo feeling sad and of course the girls deal with many issues as their dad gets sick abroad working and has to leave them in the care of their aunt they don't like!

However each girls discovers her true path in life and Lateef stuns Jo with a revelation she didn't see coming. For the sisters, illness, crushes, college and writing all push them apart but ultimately they'll be stronger for it I feel.

A novel with real teen family life at the heart!