A Little Princess

Readers will learn what life was like in an English girls' boarding school in the Victorian era, and gain an understanding of the disparity between living conditions of the wealthy and the poor in London at that time.

Sara Crewe is strong-willed, smart, and highly imaginative, giving her a rich inner life and great coping skills. Though it would seem that Sara's imaginary identity as "princess" sets her above her peers, she means it more as a responsibility to share all she has with the "populace." Her giving nature, fine mind, and excellent manners make her a great role model for her fellow students. Sara is mistreated by the headmistress of the seminary, Miss Minchin, but when the novel begins, her character has already been formed by her life with a loving and devoted father.

Written in 1888, Burnett's novel features serious haves and have-nots, Victorian-style. Sara Crewe is showered with extravagant gifts by her father; her dolls have fancier clothing than most real people have. Meanwhile, on the streets of London, starving, shoeless beggars tie rags around their feet. Clothing and comforts are described in lavish detail in the book, but material possessions are much less important than goodness.