a little princess

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  Little Sara Crewe was extremely clever, with a full and wild imagination, that made her a delight to her father, Captain Crewe, during her first seven years spent with him in India. Her mother died when she was born and, besides her father, she had no one in the world except for her servants and the 'magic' of her own mind.
  But our story begins as the world Sara has known all of her life, is coming to an end, and she is embarking on a new journey of both body and mind: The journey of becomin... (show more)

  Little Sara Crewe was extremely clever, with a full and wild imagination, that made her a delight to her father, Captain Crewe, during her first seven years spent with him in India. Her mother died when she was born and, besides her father, she had no one in the world except for her servants and the 'magic' of her own mind.
  But our story begins as the world Sara has known all of her life, is coming to an end, and she is embarking on a new journey of both body and mind: The journey of becoming 'A Little Princess'.

  Due to the threat of sickness, those with means sent their children away from India, to school, as soon as they were old enough. That is how Sara finds herself, on a foggy day in London, telling her father good-bye and resigning herself to be brave, like a soldier. Miss Minchen, the proprietess of the ladies seminary, is immediately jealous of Sara's maturity and wealth, but remains kind to her for the sake of her money. Most of the girls at the school respect and admire Sara's kind and clever nature and, of course, her wonderful imagination. They even begin to call her Princess Sara - a title a few jealous students meant as an insult, that quickly became a term of endearment for those that could appreciate Sara's gifts.

  But, that all comes to an end, on the day of Sara's Eleventh birthday, when it is discovered that Captain Crewe has died, from the shock of a failed business investment that left him penniless. Miss Minchen is determined to regain her pride and the money she was owed, by stripping Sara of her luxuries, moving her to the attic and requiring her to work. Expecting Sara's grand character to falter under disgrace, she is shocked to find that Sara's commitment to acting like a princess, whether she is one or not, is stronger than anything in Miss Minchen's arsenal. Sara repeatedly defies Miss Minchen's attempts to strip her of her dignity and remains superior in character, through self-control, selflessness and her belief that the worst 'never quite comes'.

  Sara's lonliness is somewhat relieved by her friendship with the scullery maid, her mentorship of two pupils who occassionally sneak to the attic to hear her fantastic stories and the images she steals from the windows of nearby houses, before the shutters have been closed, when she is returning from an errand. She imagines the lives of her neighbors and imagines herself a part of them, all the while, making friends with the sparrows on the roof and the rats that live in the attic walls.

  Sara often imagines that a child lives in the attic of the empty house next door, and one day, they will peak their head through the window and Sara will find a wonderful friend. But something even Sara could not imagine takes place instead. An ill gentleman from India moves in, bringing with him many Oriental furnishings, familiar to little Sara, which both surprises her and inspires her imagination a great deal. One day, up in the attic, she meets the gentleman's companion when his pet monkey escapes across the roof and into her room. She astonishes the lascar with her ability to speak Hindustani and he relates this ability, her attitude (which does not suggest someone born as a servant) and the conditions of her surroundings, to his master.

  The ill gentleman, Mr. Carrisford, was Captain Crewe's friend, the one with him Sara's father had invested his fortune. Captain Crewe had died, believing that his close friend had lost that fortune and ran away in shame. The truth was, that Mr. Carrisford had become very ill when he thought he had lost all of their wealth, and by the time he recovered from brain fever and discovered that their fortune was recovered, Captain Crewe had died. For the next two years, his life mission had become to find Captain Crewe's daughter, restore her to her fortune and explain to her the truth.

  As a positive diversion from their failed efforts, Ram Dass suggested that his master do something nice for the little girl in the attic, as a secret, not knowing that she was the child they so furtively sought. Ram Dass snuck into her room while she was sleeping or out running errands, leaving food, books and warm blankets, placing ornaments on the walls and mantle, and making a roaring fire. Sara could not imagine who the magician was, but she was strengthened in knowing that she had a friend.

  Mr. Carrisford soon found his search come to an abrupt end, when, one day, Sara herself came to return his pet monkey, which had escaped into her attic room for a second time. He was happy to meet the little girl he had been secretly surprising, but soon realized just how important their chance meeting was. As she answered his questions about her life, it became clear she was the little girl they had been searching for, living all this time on the other side of the wall.

  Sara was told the truth and after all of her 'supposing' that it would be strange if she did turn out to be a princess after all, you can imagine why Miss Minchen's shock was the only one greater than her own. Sara went to live with Mr. Carrisford and she became a delight to him - this clever little girl, who had proven to be a true princess, whether in wealth or in poverty.

  'A Little Princess' is a wonderful tale for young and old - a lesson to all that true greatness comes from what is in your mind and heart. (show less)

   

   

  by Katani on May 02, 2009 at 06:03PM

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  This is the absolute perfect little-girl princess read. While today the "princess" idea targeted at tweens is a bratty sorority girl who gets everything she wants, this character is the exact opposite. The book is very well written, charming, and beautiful. Younger readers will love it, but most likely find themselves unable to get through it alone (the book is about 300 pages and written a bit fancily). It's a perfect read-aloud or first "big read" for a young girl.
  Ever... (show more)

  This is the absolute perfect little-girl princess read. While today the "princess" idea targeted at tweens is a bratty sorority girl who gets everything she wants, this character is the exact opposite. The book is very well written, charming, and beautiful. Younger readers will love it, but most likely find themselves unable to get through it alone (the book is about 300 pages and written a bit fancily). It's a perfect read-aloud or first "big read" for a young girl.
  Every little girl should read this book growing up! (show less)

   

   

  by Jori Richardson on Mar 14, 2008 at 11:21AM

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