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A Little Princess

Name: A Little Princess
Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett
ISBN: 9780064401876

by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Tasha Tudor

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Overview

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"'If I was a princess—a real princess,' she murmured, 'I could scatter largess to the populace. But even if I am only a pretend princess, I can invent little things to do for people.'" —A Little Princess

In Frances hodgson Burnett's classic tale, Sara Crewe learns that deep down, being a real princess is an attitude of the heart. She is a gifted and well-mannered child, and Captain Crewe, her father, is an extraordinary wealthy man. Miss Minchin, headmistress of Sara's new boarding school in London, is please to treat Sara as her star pupil—a pampered little princess. But one day, Sara's father dies, and her world suddenly collapses around her. However, Sara does not break, and with the help of a monkey, an Indian lascar, and the strange, ailing gentleman next door, she not only survives her sufferings but helps those around her.

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When she is orphaned, the star pupil of Miss Minchin's boarding school in London becomes a penniless, friendless ward of the cruel Miss Minchin.

Synopsis

Sara Crewe, ten years old, leads a delightful life. Her father, a British officer, provides her with all of the comfort his wealth and charm allow. When he dies, a cold-hearted schoolmistress turns Sara into a drudge. How does she cope?

Children's Literature

There is a plethora of versions of this perennial favorite available, and the issue becomes which one to choose. This unabridged edition is accompanied by a "Forward" in which Nancy Bond recounts Burnett's early years of poverty in Tennessee. A born storyteller with a rich imagination, Burnett turned to writing at the age of seventeen. Originally published in 1905, her classic work tells the story of Sara Crewe, daughter of a the wealthy Captain Crewe, who is sent to live at Miss Minchin's boarding school in her father's absence. There, the domineering Miss Minchin defers to her wealth while secretly disliking her. When Sara's father dies and his fortune is lost, Miss Minchin reacts by having Sara become a servant and she is treated with scorn and derision by the students and headmistress alike. Then a family moves in across the street, Sara recognizes the furnishings as being from India, and begins to converse with the Indian manservant whose attic room is across from her own. When Sara finds extra food, warm blankets, and books in her room, she begins to fantasize about meeting the "Indian gentleman" she feels is responsible. Sara's reward comes when she crosses the street to return the "Indian gentleman's" escaped monkey and learns his real name is Mr. Carrisford. When he realizes that she is Captain Crewe's daughter, he tells her that her father's fortune has been restored. Happily she shares her wealth with Becky, her one true friend at the school, and goes to live with Carrisford. The cover illustration of this paperback edition is bordered with roses and features a pensive, wide-eyed Sara. Young girls still are drawn to this compelling riches-to-rags-and-back-again story, featuring a perfect heroine and a perfectly nasty villain. The text, though seemingly dense, moves with an engaging prose and Sara's predicament will keep readers hooked until the happy ending. Parents who select this title will discover a great family read-aloud. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey

About the Author, Frances Hodgson Burnett

Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924) spent her childhood in England but throughout her adult life maintained homes in both England and America. Though she wrote for adults, she is best remembered for her children's books, including Little Lord Fauntleroy and The Secret Garden.

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Editorials

Children's Literature - Kathleen Karr

Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924) was born in England but spent most of her life in the United States capitalizing on her British background with highly successful children's books, such as Little Lord Fauntleroy and The Secret Garden. Her Princess novel began life as Sara Crewe, a story she wrote for serialization in 1888 in the St. Nicholas Magazine. As this reprint of the ensuing 1905 novel proves, her very precious, very Victorian orphan tale still has legs. What child or adult could resist following the rise, fall, and resurrection of young Sara as, fresh from India, she is dumped under the thumb of a villainess worthy of Dickens: the greedy headmistress, Miss Minchin? Sara is, indeed, the perfect child. She befriends the friendless, regardless of social class or species. By using her vivid imagination, she turns garrets into palaces. Fortunately Burnett was skilled enough as a writer to make Sara's perfection believable rather than saccharine. Fresh readers of the book will be in for a great treat. To add to the pleasure, author information and a glossary are appended to the story. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr

Children's Literature

In this picture book version of the classic Frances Hodgson Burnett tale set in 19th century London, a little girl goes from riches to rags and back again. Sara Crewe is delivered by her wealthy, doting father to a boarding school for young ladies in London. Raised in tropical India, she finds London a strange place. And Miss Minchin, the owner of the school, is cold and meanspirited. Sara, who is kindhearted and intelligent as well as fabulously wealthy, quickly becomes the reigning "princess" of the school. When her father suddenly dies penniless back in India, Miss Minchin forces her to work as a servant. Despite being treated cruelly, Sara retains her dignity and her kind ways, showing herself to be a true princess. In a heartwarming ending, her father's best friend finds and adopts her, restoring her to a life of comfort. The wonderfully detailed illustrations reflect Ms. McClintock's visit to London to study late 19th century English clothing, houses and furniture. But it is more fun to read Burnett's vivid descriptions and imagine how Sara and the other characters look. The story does suffer from being abridged. The original, much more satisfying version could be read aloud to younger children and would be accessible to readers eight years old and up. 2000, HarperCollins Publishers, $16.95 and $16.89. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Joyce Schwartz <%ISBN%> 0060278919

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-This recording of Frances Hodgson Burnett's children's classic provides an entertaining and atmospheric introduction to the original. The abridgement allows for all the characters and their interactions to develop believably, but on occasion large chunks of time are unaccounted for. Lucy Whybrow narrates this version, and her clear rendition of Sara Crewe is a pleasure to listen to. Classical music adds to the enjoyment. Whybrow portrays the gently determined attitude, the sweet and charming manners, and the intelligent seriousness of this timeless heroine very well. With her father in India, Sara begins her life in England as a very rich boarder at Miss Minchin's school. When her father's business reverses and fatal illness leaves her an orphan and a pauper, Sara is determined to act as a princess in every way no matter how demeaned her situation. Whybrow captures her spirit, making this version a worthwhile addition to a collection that includes abridged versions of classics, perhaps as an inducement to young readers to try the original.-Jane P. Fenn, Corning-Painted Post West High School, NY Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Beverley Fahey

From Barnes & Noble

Ostracized by the envious and less-privileged girls at Miss Minchin's Select Seminary for Young Ladies, seven-year-old Sara Crewe is devastated when her adored, indulgent father dies, leaving her penniless and alone in the world. The story of how Sara's fortunes change again, and how she discovers the true meaning of family, is a tale that has delighted children since its initial publication in 1905. Illustrated with a wealth of color and black-and-white drawings by British muralist Graham Rust, here is an enduring children's classic sure to enthrall youngsters aged 8-14.