A Little Princess - Frances Hodgson Burnett

Advantages: A beautifully written tale with girlish dreams...
Disadvantages: archaeic language

...you that this truly is a fairytale for all ages. It is a much loved story of mine, one that I have read many times over the years. I first read this at the age of six; I remember receiving the book for my birthday and thoroughly enjoying it. Now let me also add to that statement that although I read it at this age, many children may need assistance with the language and most of the book at such a young age. I was blessed with the ability to read ...
...Our poor Sara has had a life blessed, with mixed fortunes and all that she desires being delivered to her as her English father, Captain Crewe loves her dearly and lost his wife when Sara was born. Therefore it seems that he has cushioned her life as best as he can to make his, 'little missus,' comfortable and happy despite the lack of a mother. This novel is set in the foggy London streets in the early part of the last century. Although this is ... Read review

Advantages: Suitable for all ages, moving story, charming people, happy ending
Disadvantages: A major coincidence in the resolution of the story

...until recently, it wasn't considered a healthy climate for children. The book was first published in 1905, when most British children born in India were sent to schools in the UK from a young age, so although it sounds almost barbaric in today's society, it was accepted as the thing to do. Sara's mother died when she was a baby, so her father has been everything to her. Although she's been given every material thing possible, and could have become ...
...bear it and not make a fuss. She and her father are almost heartbroken at having to part when he goes back to India, but they both hide their feelings, each wanting to make the parting a little less painful for the other. So Sara begins school. Since her father has bought her an extravagant selection of clothes and ornaments, and is very rich, Miss Minchin (a most unpleasant specimen amongst teachers) treats her as a favourite, giving her the best ... Read review

Advantages: moving story about girlish dreams and enduring hope and love
Disadvantages: sensitive children may be upset by Sara's personal tragedy

This is a love story. Not a romance, but a real love story. It is the tale of a child much beloved by her widowed soldier father, her adoration of him, and the love she has for her true friends. It is the sort of love that does not need riches, nor glory, nor feasts, and that can sustain through adversity. And sustain it does in this tale of woe, sorrow, and ultimate happiness. Little Sara Crewe is the daughter of a widowed English Army officer ...
...sake of being "accepted", in a vicious Hyacinth Bucket sort of way. Suavely genteel to the parents, she indulges their whims in regard to extravagances for their little darlings in order to keep the vast sums of cash flowing, and discarding any to the side who fail to meet her monetary standards, both for paying the bills and as the standard to hold them in their class position. For this woman is all too class conscious, and sees money as the thing ... Read review

Advantages: Inspiring, sweet, full of positive messages - a great comfort read
Disadvantages: A tad dated - but you can hardly hold that against a classic

...of the sweetest, loveliest books a girl could read in childhood. It's been a long time but reading it again all these years down the line (aged 21), it still holds such charm, wonder and profound messages about class, poverty and happiness that I know it'll be returning to my shelf to read again and pass on to my own children. It tells the story of Sara Crewe, a rich little girl brought up in India by her beloved father, who moves to England to ...
...her classmates. But when a tragic twist of fate strips her of everything, Sara ends up a poor orphan working as a drudge in the seminary where once she was idolised by her fellow pupils. Miss Minchin uses this as a fine opportunity to take a sort of revenge on this strange little girl, who she has never understood but has always indulged thanks to her wealth. But no matter how hard her life becomes, she remains generous and polite to those around ... Read review

Advantages: An Extreamly good read.
Disadvantages: Tell me

A Little Princess is an outstanding read , I'm 11 and I have read it loads of times once you pick it up you can not put it down. It costs about £4.50 and is one of the puffin classics . The book is about a young girl whos father is a sailor.He has to go on a journey so he sends Sara to a boarding school.In the first few years at school Sara has every thing she wants when she wants it. When her father sends her a letter saying he and his partner have ... Read review