A Little Princess

Book review by Barbara Schultz, Common Sense Media
A Little Princess Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 9+

Girl's vivid imagination, kindness enrich all-time classic.

Frances Hodgson Burnett Literary Fiction 1998
Rate book

Parents say

age 7+

Based on 5 reviews

Kids say

age 8+

Based on 16 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate book

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

Stands out for and .

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Burnett's novel is a beautiful, fanciful, old-fashioned story with a complex heroine. The book is sweet and uplifting throughout, but Sara does suffer a terrible loss and is ill-treated by Miss Minchin, which could upset very young children. This classic novel also contains some old-fashioned attitudes. Becky asks if a new neighbor is a "Chinee" because his skin is "yellow." Sara recalls her time living in India, where she had an "ayah who adored her," and servants bowed to her. These passages carry a note of racial stereotyping, but Sara's goodness to all people overshadows her outmoded perspective. The novel has been made into two very good movies: the 1939 version starring Shirley Temple, and a lovely remake from 1995. Though neither film is true to the plot of the book, both versions are wonderful and faithful to the spirit of Burnett's story and characters.

Community Reviews

Professor Kirke
Professor Kirke Adult
July 26, 2021
age 10+

A Lesson In Good Naturedness

A book with a message that inspires goodness in children up to 100 years.

This title has:

Great messages
hannahrw1991
hannahrw1991 Adult
February 7, 2020
age 9+
Parents need to know that this novel is a "beautiful, old-fashioned story with a complicated heroine," according to the site's expert review. The book is fine throughout, but Sara does lose her parents and is mistreated by Miss Minchin, which could upset younger children. This classic novel also has some outdated attitudes. Becky asks Sara if a new neighbor is a "Chinee" because, as the book says, his skin is "yellow." Sara remembers her time living in India, where she had an "ayah who adored her" and "servants bowed to her." These passages use racial stereotypes, ranging from fine to slightly racist.

This title has:

Educational value
Great role models
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Sara Crewe, a motherless child who has been raised in India by her wealthy, doting father, is enrolled in Miss Minchin's Select Seminary for Girls, a boarding school in London. She is afforded every luxury, and the other students call her \"princess\"; some use the term out of awe and affection, while others are bitterly jealous of her. When Sarah is suddenly left penniless, she is relegated to the life of a servant in a cold, lonely attic room, but her always brilliant imagination becomes her saving grace. Throughout, she remains a magnanimous \"princess,\" who feels best when she is helping others; the wonderful stories she invents, and her kind heart, earn her true friends and eventually lead her to a new home.

Is It Any Good?

A LITTLE PRINCESS is a beautifully crafted novel that celebrates the power of imagination. Sara Crewe is a bright, inventive, and generous young heroine, and female readers will connect with her strongly despite the book's old-fashioned language and setting. In fact, there is something wonderfully compelling about Sarah's attic room, which is transformed from cold blankness to a magical place via Sara's -- and author Frances Hodgson Burnett's -- stories.

The book is almost exclusively populated with girls and women, with the exception of Crewe's briefly seen father and her kind neighbors, so it may not appeal to boys as much as it does to girls. (Boys may enjoy Burnett's The Secret Garden, however, which features great boy characters.)

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what it means for Sara to pretend to be a "princess." Today, young girls think of Disney when they think of princesses, but Sara has some very positive ideas about how a princess should behave.

  • How does Sara's imagination protect her, and how does she use her creative mind to help others?

  • What do you think was different about living in the time when A Little Princess takes place? Do you think you would have liked to live in England back then?

Book Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • Heidi Poster Image

    Heidi

    Classic story has lost none of its joy and power.

    age 9+
  • The Secret Garden Poster Image

    The Secret Garden

    Classic novel inspires love of nature.

    age 9+
  • Little Women Poster Image

    Little Women

    Classic still charms despite outdated gender roles.

    age 10+

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate