This is an endearing tale of a tender-aged girl's strength of character and her mature attitude towards her changed life, when she is suddenly orphaned, of how she combats harsh living, hunger and hopelessness and succeeds in overcoming her blues.
Sara is captain Crewe's only child who is immensely dear to him. Her father bestows upon her every comfort and the best money can buy, especially as Sara is motherless. She is enrolled into a leading boarding school in London where all the imaginable trappings of luxury befitting royalty await her. Captain Crewe is drawn into diamond exploration, which further enhances his worldly fortunes. The windfall virtually renders Sara as a real princess. The sudden death of her father then snaps the inflow of funds. The school proprietress, Miss Minchin, promptly exploits the catastrophe, to relegate Sara from the exalted position of a treasured inmate, to a lowly and utterly neglected scullery- maid in her establishment. Sara is re-discovered by a gentleman from India who is looking for her all over. Frances H. Burnett's A Little Princess is an un-diminishing tale of resolve and success; an absolute must-read, not just for all girls, but boys and the grown-ups as well!