From the Inside Flap Sara Crewe is a student at Miss Minchin's fancy boarding school. She has the very best of everything. But when her rich father dies, she's left without a penny. Now Sara lives in the school's cold attic and works for crusts of bread. With some help from a secret friend and a touch of magic, Sara's world is about to change in ways she never dreamed. An adaptation of the classic novel that's just right for young readers! About the Author Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924) was born and grew up in Manchester, but after her father's death she emigrated with her mother to Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1865. Five years later her mother died and – like many other women of her time – she began writing short stories for popular magazines to support her family. Her first novel, That Lass o' Lowrie's (1877), brought her instant fame on both sides of the Atlantic. She married in 1873, and in 1886 her popular children's serial Little Lord Fauntleroy was published to instant success. Mrs. Burnett wrote many other novels, for both children and adults, as well as plays and short stories, but she is best remembered for the classic children's novels The Secret Garden (1911) and A Little Princess (1905).She became an American citizen in 1905, though she travelled frequently to Europe. She died at her home on Long Island a few weeks before her seventy-fifth birthday.
S**A
Loved it :)
Such a beautiful story...classic Burnett story :) the font was just right... neither too small nor too big. The hardcover bind was not as bright as I expected but yet had a warm feeling to it.
S**T
There is a surprise ending!
Unlike most books, In this book you don't know what happens at the end. When you think the novel is going to end with Sara Crew still working to make her money and staying in the attic, there is a surprise I don't want to uncover that brings the story to a happy ending.
S**Y
From Princess to Pauper
Frances has written something quite opposite to the usual pauper to princess kind of stories (remember Cinderella). This one however is quite realistic in its approach. How a father feels for his daughter and how he wants to prepare her for the society and life ahead is quite an important aspect of their relationship. Frances has also quite adeptly shown how tables turn and people change in their behaviour as circumstances change. A good book to read.
A**R
And I love Vintage's front cover too
This is a book that every girl should read growing up. I am twenty-five and I still reread this book time and again. Burnett wrote some of the timeless children's books ever. And I love Vintage's front cover too. It's one of the best scenes in the novel. <3
S**I
Spellbinding, thought provoking highly recommended classic..
A little princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett is surely an unputdownable classic for children in their growing up years. It is a blend of diverse emotions especially love, pride, friendship, adaptability and tolerance. It is the tale of a motherless girl Sara Crewe, raised by her loving, young energetic and extremely rich father till the age of 7. She is then taken to Ms Minchin 's boarding house in London. Sara is a natural storyteller and extremely voracious reader. She is a highly imaginative girl whose imagination in the worst times will leave the reader spellbound. Sara is also an inconquerable child who never cries. Her generosity always make her loved. She likes to pretend that she is a princess and do good to everyone. Till her 11th birthday, her life is full of riches. But when disaster strikes, her true nature and friendship is put to test. A sudden change for the worse in a Sara 's life does not change her pride or determination to brave the odds. She tries to still mentally be a' princess 'and change her miseries and conquer the situation with her pure imagination alone. Her maturity at a young age to believe that' adversity tries people ' is an amazing life lesson. It is far from a typical tale. There are times when Sara' s pride is wounded or her perseverance breaks, but this makes her character real. It will take the reader through a rollercoaster of emotions and is an overall spellbinding read...
L**N
Fortunes turn like a wheel
I loved reading the story of a poor little girl and what all she went through .How she got discovered by an Indian gentleman next door and she was a princess .With a heart of gold and always friendly to animals ,she deserved it all .Thank youI loved reading the story of a little princess .
S**M
Collector's library: Yes it's recommended (hardcover)
As the name suggests- Collector's Library, if you are buying a Collector's Library hardcover, this book is indeed for a bibliophile. Its clothbound and the cover with the caricature is so apt. The paper quality may not be that of like Michael o Mara, but the golden rimmed pages and the story is a pleasure in itself.
A**R
Maybe little bit boring
This is a story which had very much touched my heart . Sara has to suddenly experience a very different life after she becomes an extremely orphan . She had to leave her luxurious way of living. everything was fine but i thought the starting was a little bit boring . Afterwards it became a lot better but when I found myself really interested and engrossed the book ended .
P**E
Terrible edition
The rating is for the edition, not the story (wonderful book). I was looking for an attractive edition for my daughter but this is an odd and unappealing format - large pages, tiny marginals and no page breaks between chapters, just a line. Poor quality, cheap-looking cover too. Looks like an amateur publishing job - terrible. Asked for refund.
M**R
A true classic
Reading this aloud to my ten year old daughter was a real treat. It truly is a timeless classic, perhaps Burnett's finest work. Emotions such as grief are delicately wrought while the horror of being a poverty stricken orphan in the 19th century is well brought out, with this section of the book lasting a lot longer than I expected it would. Despite concerted efforts to humiliate and break the spirit of our heroine, she retains her sense of self worth and so who could resist the ending she undoubtedly deserves. My little girl had no idea about the story and so met each unfolding episode with shock, tears, wonder and delight: finally declaring (and she's a tough one to please!), that it was the best story she'd ever read or heard. I didn't read it myself as a child, but as an adult I was surprised at how well the author controlled the potential for over-sentimentality: Sara remains believable and likeable throughout. As you can tell, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
D**R
A beautiful children’s story
I have read this book repeatedly over many years, from my childhood and now in my fifties! It is a timeless piece and always always makes me feel warm and renewed when I read it. Francis Hodgson Burnett is my favourite children’s author.... from the Secret Garden to The Little Prince to this children’s novel.....read it to your children and then re read it yourself, you will so glad you did. A Timeless and rare jewel.
L**N
A lovely story but.
Their are errors on every page throughout the book. It made this book difficult to read hence only one star, it deserves 5 for the childrens story . Some of the errors include things likeCoronary heart .She he , used togetherebook (which did not exist at the time of writing )Human beings , instead of peopleSadly Their were loads more.The story is about a rich child who becomes a penniless orphan and the trials and tribulations she endures at the hands of others.
M**D
Very badly produced
I only read a few pages. It read as if it had been translated from Chinese by someone who only spoke Russian. Get your act together, guys. There's no excuse for charging actual money, however low a fee, for a piece of badly edited crap like this.The story, which I've read before, is fab. It is a great novel of its kind. But do not buy this edition.
M**S
A little madam ?
No,not a little madam but you would be forgiven for thinking that she might have been.This little princess grew up in India and was used to servants and getting her own way without knowing that she was privileged.It's only on arrival at a boarding school in England that things start to go slightly awry.Set up as an example of well to do and supposedly well provided for,Sarah is informed that her rich soldier Papa had died leaving her penniless and in the sole care of the owner of the boarding school,miss Minchin.This edition gives us more details about the two girls Sarah befriends and allows for a more involved and interesting story.What drew me back to this story was seeing a modern paperback release of this title showing three girls around a lone table with moonlight shining in through a high window,even though I knew the story,I wanted to reread it.I couldn't find my original book but downloaded this onto my Kindle from Amazon for £0.49 because it's specifically re written to satisfy the demand from previous readers to further enlighten us to the roles of Becky the servant girl and Ermengarde a reluctant student and their relationship with Sarah.Not a bad read really although I thought it got a bit too sugary sweet at the end.Ah well,it is for children after all and I'm middle aged.
J**M
Pleasant but not outstanding.
A nice story but a bit sugary. I didn't enjoy this book as much as Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden. The protagonist here is a very good little girl; naughty children tend to make a more interesting story. I was reminded of the story of Pollyanna several times while reading this book. Pleasant but not outstanding.
J**)
Little Princess Review
This is a particularly good copy of the book. It was well bound, the print was a good size, there was a prologue, and endpiece, details of further books by the same author, some biographical detail of the author and the circumstances under which is was written, and the illustrations were appropriate.Great story. Very well presented.The story of a rich Victorian child, brought to boarding school in England from India by her father after the death of her mother, is a little sentimental by modern standards, but the lessons of triumphing over hardship, and integrity rewarded are still relevant today. The book is saved from mawkishness by the sad, but realistic, death of her father, unlike the totally infuriating changes made in the American film version of this story.Stick with the written version - it is a great deal more rewarding. Great read.
A**R
Inspiring and well written
Another very good book to read. My only issue is the beginning is very similar to that of The Secret Garden, and it was only about 2-3 chapters in the book it started to change. However, the book was thoroughly enjoyable and the suspense kept in it was brilliant, it made you want to read further on each and everytime. Felt it was well written, and actually somewhat inspiring.
M**H
Beautiful classic story for ages 8+
I came across this story when I saw the orginal film about five years ago. A very much loved girl who comes from a wealthy family has her world turned upside-down and ends up being a servant in the posh boarding school instead of one of the pupils. Her beloved Father is lost in action and all seems doomed for the little princess. We see her developing beautful friendships and her realising the value of love not material possesions.A classic for all girls to read. I suggest you read the book first and then watch the film.
F**I
For Teenagers & Adults
This is a real good book, however the old english can sometimes be confusing especially for younger readers but it is understandable once you get into it. Sara Crewe loses all her money and has nothing left and you just can't wait to find out what happen's next, the author of the book descibes evrything in very good detail that you can imagine the things that go on in the story. The ending was a bit obvious to me (hence the 4 stars) but the good thing is I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next which is why I kept reading this book.
B**Y
Classic!
My daughter loves this book and has read it many times on my kindle!
P**8
Enjoyable for All Ages
I bought this for my grandaughter but decided to read it first! The story is perhaps obvious for a 70 year old but will suit a 9 year old girl very well. I enjoyed the descriptive language and the expressions reminded me of my youth.
A**R
Brilliant book. But similar plot to her other books.
Brilliant book, a must read for all ages. Well written and a beautiful story.Only criticism, is the author has a similar plot in her other books such as The Secret Garden, hence 4 stars, not 5.
J**K
Amazing
I absolutely loved this book! We couldn't stop reading it. The story was so descriptive. We loved how she acted like a true princess regardless of her circumstances.
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