Although Amy encourages the attentions of Robert, a well-to-do classmate, she must face her true feelings when he surprises her with an expensive gift.
As each of the four March sisters turns ten, she is invited by Aunt March at Christmastime to discuss who will receive an heirloom, an old cameo brooch, and thus each girl contemplates her role in the family.
Jo March is given a journal in which to record her most private thoughts, but when her sisters read what she has written, it threatens to tear them apart.
When ten-year-old Meg receives an invitation to a friend's picnic but Jo does not, Meg must decide whether to decline in loyalty to her sister or to follow her heart and attend.
Beth tries to help an impoverished Irish immigrant boy and his family by stealing a silver bowl from her great aunt and giving it to the O'Neills to sell.