A Little Princess

A Little Princess; being the whole story of Sara Crewe now told for the first time by Frances Hodgson Burnett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was reading this book to use with my granddaughter in homeschool.  Aside from being a delightful story, the vocabulary is very sophisticated which is great for school.  I feel strongly that children should develop a very strong vocabulary so that they will be able to read complex works in high school and college.  This book introduces a number of words in a context where the meaning can be inferred, building vocabulary naturally.

The story itself is fairly common: rich child, misfortune, hard times, eventual success, but there is something in the way the author writes that makes it very engaging.  Most girls love the story of Sara Crewe, whose father in India, has sent his daughter to an English boarding school.  She is extremely wealthy, but a very nice child with natural good manners.  Eventually word comes that her father has died leaving her penniless.  The director of the school is furious and turns her into a drudge.  From then on the story is predictable and very satisfying, even from an adult perspective.  I was as delighted to see Miss Minchin get her comeuppance as any child.


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