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A Little Princess
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 "From the Trade Paperback edition."
112 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1994
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3096 people want to read
About the author
Cathy East Dubowski
153 books47 followersCathy East Dubowski is a narrator, editor, and illustrator. She specializes in novelizations of movies and literary classics for children and young adult readers. Dubowski has written more than 100 books for children, including adaptations of The Aristocats, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s A Little Princess, and Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
March 14, 2019
This book, "A Little Princess" will always have a special place in my heart. I understand that it is quite short considering my Lexile level, but I have loved this book my entire life and really wanted to read it again. The story is about a little girl named Sara Crewe who comes to a boarding school because her father is going off to fight in World War One. She is originally very wealthy and all the girls in the school are extremely jealous of her, but then her father goes missing and she is forced to become a maid for the boarding school to pay her fees. Forced to undergo extreme poverty and cruelty, Sara must endure hardships no child should have to go through, but she maintains hope throughout it all. This story was my absolute favorite book to read as a child, and it continues to inspire me in everything I do. Everyone should read this book at some point in their life.
February 29, 2016
I could not find a copy of the original Frances Hodgson Burnett novel anywhere, but this children's adaptation was a good substitute/summary.
A friend told me to read this story and pay attention to Sara. No matter what anyone said to her, how badly she was treated, or how awful her circumstances were, Sara knew who she was. She knew that she was valuable; she rested in her identity as a princess. She felt despair, and she had moments of imperfection, but it made her human. Her gentle strength and dignity, along with her heart for every person she met, make her an incredible heroine. A lovely story.
A friend told me to read this story and pay attention to Sara. No matter what anyone said to her, how badly she was treated, or how awful her circumstances were, Sara knew who she was. She knew that she was valuable; she rested in her identity as a princess. She felt despair, and she had moments of imperfection, but it made her human. Her gentle strength and dignity, along with her heart for every person she met, make her an incredible heroine. A lovely story.
September 28, 2012
I was only familiar with the Shirley Temple version of this story and was pleased to finally read a version of the original Burnett book. I picked up this lovely hardbound copy at my Friends of the Library book sale, which I will donate to Better World Books.
Sara Crewe is living in Miss Minchin's boarding school while her father goes on a business trip to India. There, he contracts brain fever and dies, leaving Sara orphaned and at the mercy of Miss Minchin, a shrewd shrew drawn to perfection. Sara has always been treated like a little princess and even though her material circumstances change, her caring, compassionate, proud spirit does not. She makes Miss Minchin most uncomfortable because she senses that Sara sees right through her ruse of being a proper schoolmistress into her soul, which is grasping, hard-hearted, and cruel. Miss Minchin and Sara are opposites.
Unlike the ST movie, Sara's father really dies, but his friend, Mr. Carrisford, looks for his friend's daughter to restore her inheritance to her. By the end of the story, Sara is returned to princess status and a happy ending is achieved, but not without attention being paid to those who are less well off in the society.
Sara embodies many admirable characteristics: she is a storyteller, a reader and lover of books; she is imaginative, intelligent, culturally sensitive; she is kind, compassionate, caring, and unselfish; the daughter of a soldier, she is proud and uncomplaining. Sara is many of the things I would like to be and is a wonderful role model for little girls.
This reworking of the classic is meant for young readers. It is hoped that this abridged introduction to the work will inspire an interest in reading the original and continue developing the love of reading. While I loved Shirley Temple movies as I was growing up, the original story is much more satisfying.
Definitely a good read.
Sara Crewe is living in Miss Minchin's boarding school while her father goes on a business trip to India. There, he contracts brain fever and dies, leaving Sara orphaned and at the mercy of Miss Minchin, a shrewd shrew drawn to perfection. Sara has always been treated like a little princess and even though her material circumstances change, her caring, compassionate, proud spirit does not. She makes Miss Minchin most uncomfortable because she senses that Sara sees right through her ruse of being a proper schoolmistress into her soul, which is grasping, hard-hearted, and cruel. Miss Minchin and Sara are opposites.
Unlike the ST movie, Sara's father really dies, but his friend, Mr. Carrisford, looks for his friend's daughter to restore her inheritance to her. By the end of the story, Sara is returned to princess status and a happy ending is achieved, but not without attention being paid to those who are less well off in the society.
Sara embodies many admirable characteristics: she is a storyteller, a reader and lover of books; she is imaginative, intelligent, culturally sensitive; she is kind, compassionate, caring, and unselfish; the daughter of a soldier, she is proud and uncomplaining. Sara is many of the things I would like to be and is a wonderful role model for little girls.
This reworking of the classic is meant for young readers. It is hoped that this abridged introduction to the work will inspire an interest in reading the original and continue developing the love of reading. While I loved Shirley Temple movies as I was growing up, the original story is much more satisfying.
Definitely a good read.
August 24, 2011
'A Little Princess' is a book I really enjoyed as a child. As a young child I enjoyed the Ladybird version and as I got older I read the full version by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It tell the story of a girl called Sarah who is sent to boarding school in England after living with her soldier father in India. To begin with she has the best of everything as her father provides everything she could ever want. Then her father dies and her unkind head mistress Miss Minchin, who has never liked Sarah, sets her to work as a servant.
Sarah as a character is very likeable. She is kind to others, intelligent and uses her vivid imagination to keep her spirits up in the worst of times. She imagines she is a princess who will soon be rescued from her reduced circumstances, which indeed she is when her kindness is recognised by a servant and in time his master, who moves into the house next door to the boarding school and adopts Sarah.
The illustrations in the Ladybird version are very appealing I particularly liked how they depicted Sarah's change in circumstances. When reading the story as a young child the Indian servant seemed exotic and intriguing, making the story all the more appealing.
It is definitely a children's classic with a predictable happy ending and would probably appeal more to girls than boys. It affirms the importance of being kind to others and stirs the imagination.
Sarah as a character is very likeable. She is kind to others, intelligent and uses her vivid imagination to keep her spirits up in the worst of times. She imagines she is a princess who will soon be rescued from her reduced circumstances, which indeed she is when her kindness is recognised by a servant and in time his master, who moves into the house next door to the boarding school and adopts Sarah.
The illustrations in the Ladybird version are very appealing I particularly liked how they depicted Sarah's change in circumstances. When reading the story as a young child the Indian servant seemed exotic and intriguing, making the story all the more appealing.
It is definitely a children's classic with a predictable happy ending and would probably appeal more to girls than boys. It affirms the importance of being kind to others and stirs the imagination.
December 4, 2023
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September 14, 2021
I admit to having seen the classic movie with Shirley Temple before ever reading the book. However, the words of Frances Hodges Burnett created vivid pictures of my own as I read.
There is something in every little girl's heart that wants to be rescued by a prince and taken away to luxury. I always wanted to have a crown.
What a delightful story of riches to rags to riches. I do so admire an author who can paint a picture with words and bring it to life, especially for children.
There is something in every little girl's heart that wants to be rescued by a prince and taken away to luxury. I always wanted to have a crown.
What a delightful story of riches to rags to riches. I do so admire an author who can paint a picture with words and bring it to life, especially for children.
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May 28, 2017The ook I'm reading is acctually longer. I coulldn't find the right title. But this is an amazing book and Definatly worth reading.
April 24, 2018
It was shocking to learn that a rich lovely and kind girl suddenly became poor after her dad decided to suicide because of debt. She was badly treated at school where she once’s was regarded as a princess. There were more cruel consequences happening to her. Let’s explore it!
March 26, 2014
This adaptation faithfully captures the classic story for elementary (or adults short on time) readers. This is not a highly layered or nuanced treatment, but children will be familiar with the story line and character development, as well as able to determine if the full length original is of interest.
Most of the editing made sense to me, but I'm still troubled as to why they changed the rug from red to blue, but left the rose colored lamp, rose colored? It's the little things that niggle at you.
Most of the editing made sense to me, but I'm still troubled as to why they changed the rug from red to blue, but left the rose colored lamp, rose colored? It's the little things that niggle at you.
December 4, 2017
Excellent read aloud version for kids! I will definitely be reading the original soon. If the young girls in your life love princesses, Sara Crewe is the best example!
March 1, 2020
Reminded me of my childhood...
January 13, 2022
I love Sara
March 12, 2023
I think that this book is both happy and sad and easier than the original which is my level of reading.
March 17, 2025
Ok… I read this book eight times… In elementary school, this was my favorite book of all time.
It is about this young girl (Sara) living in India with her dad. But he had to go help fight in a war, so he takes her to boarding school. The same one that her mother went to when she was a girl. Her dad was rich, and before he dropped her off, they went shopping for gowns, satin gloves, tights, shoes, and even a very special doll. He sees to it that she gets a bedroom and a sitting room with a cupboard full of treats. She wasn’t spoiled, although she very well could have been. She kind and virtuous. She becomes friends with her maid, and the young schools maid, Becky. But the Headmistress is a cruel woman who doesn’t want the girls to have any fun. Sara ends up as a poor girls working as a maid at the school. But her and Becky find themselves being protected and given gifts by their neighbors. And the monkey!!! But through it all, Sara stayed kind, brave, loving, and continued to tell her stories.
It sounds like I spoiled the whole book, but there is so much more!!
It is an amazing book that everybody should read at least once!! It teaches about kindness even in tough circumstances.
And there’s a really cute movie on Prime 😉
It is about this young girl (Sara) living in India with her dad. But he had to go help fight in a war, so he takes her to boarding school. The same one that her mother went to when she was a girl. Her dad was rich, and before he dropped her off, they went shopping for gowns, satin gloves, tights, shoes, and even a very special doll. He sees to it that she gets a bedroom and a sitting room with a cupboard full of treats. She wasn’t spoiled, although she very well could have been. She kind and virtuous. She becomes friends with her maid, and the young schools maid, Becky. But the Headmistress is a cruel woman who doesn’t want the girls to have any fun. Sara ends up as a poor girls working as a maid at the school. But her and Becky find themselves being protected and given gifts by their neighbors. And the monkey!!! But through it all, Sara stayed kind, brave, loving, and continued to tell her stories.
It sounds like I spoiled the whole book, but there is so much more!!
It is an amazing book that everybody should read at least once!! It teaches about kindness even in tough circumstances.
And there’s a really cute movie on Prime 😉
December 28, 2020
I loved reading this story aloud with my little princesses!
January 27, 2021
It's magical
June 10, 2025
I regret that I was unable to read this book as a child. I am eager to give it to my daughter, who doesn't know how to read yet. I feel like, while growing up, every girl should read this book.
October 21, 2022
my favorite book as a kid and still one of my favorites. so good and so wholesome
December 15, 2021
Such a lovely read after a long time ✨
"Somehow, something always happens just before things get to the very worst. It is as if Magic did it. If I could only just remember that always. The worse thing never quite comes."
✨Just a quote from the novel
"Somehow, something always happens just before things get to the very worst. It is as if Magic did it. If I could only just remember that always. The worse thing never quite comes."
✨Just a quote from the novel
January 25, 2021
Great book to read with my 7 year old daughter. She was excited because of the Princess in the title and I could feel her heart break when the little girl lost everything and was mistreated mid-way into the book. She'd never encountered anything like that in the overly optimistic without real hardship novels and television of today. But by the end it became one of her favorites.
March 7, 2017
Sara Crew is a very spoiled girl because she is all her father has. He will do anything for her. But just because Sara is spoiled doesn't mean she lets it get in the way of kindness. Her father is a British soldier and he had to leave so he put Sara into a boarding school for girls, a place where her mother used to go to. At first the mistress is nice but when her father leaves things change. Miss Minchin is hostile towards Sara but contains most of it because Sara makes her school look good. On the day of Sara's birthday party Miss Minchin is informed that Sara's father has died leaving her an orphan. Miss Minchin takes away Sara's expensive belongings, moves her to the attic and makes her one of the servants in the house. Everyday Sara cleaned and cooked but she still considered herself a princess. When the new neighbor next door has a patient that seems familiar to Sara, she becomes desperate. This book is filled with love and emotion and is just as good as the movie. I recommend this book to people who read classic books.
January 22, 2024
After more than 3 decades, my favorite book still holds up!
I've re-read A Little Princess several times over the course of my life, and each time I've loved it just as much as I did the first time. But lately, I've developed a tendency to get annoyed by certain Victorian children's literary tropes. For instance, I found the kids' earnestness in Burnett's The Secret Garden oblivious and cloying when I re-read it a few years ago. But not so for this book. A Little Princess remains moving and sad and magical and important.
My son is 9 years old, an age when boys often hear "princess" and run for the hills - even, sadly, ones raised by a feminist like myself. I know he's open-minded, even so (he has no problem watching Disney princess movies or even romcoms with me), but I wasn't sure how he'd be in a few years - teens can be...tough. I hope it won't be the case. Anyway, now felt like the best time to share my favorite book, a book that contains so many of my values and so much of my worldview (minus the racist and colonialist vibes), with him. So, a few months ago we started reading it together before bed. It wasn't always easy - the language can be tricky for a 9-year-old, and yet, it usually kept my son's attention. Sometimes, I'd even ask if he wanted to change things up and read another story for a bit and come back to this one later, and he always said no.
We've had very different childhoods and a lot of different interests, so I'm not sure he related to it the way I did when I read it in my youth - he certainly didn't come out of it saying it was his favorite book. But he really seemed to enjoy it, to marvel at some of its coincidences and magic, to loathe Miss Minchin.
As for me, I can't remember the last time I read A Little Princess, but I sure can say I don't think I ever cried before at the part about the hungry girl and the fourpence. Maybe that's the effect of being a parent, or I don't know, it just moved me more now. Whatever the case, I came out of this book loving it as dearly as ever.
(Btw for parents who might be concerned about some of the now-racist/colonialist things in this book (which were actually fewer than I'd expected), I personally explained the context to my son. Once or twice, I also replaced what would be an extremely offensive word today with another one, but still explained that I was doing that. I think we shouldn't cover up history, because we can learn from it and hopefully make changes for the better, and, good or bad, it's the story of humanity. It's important to be aware that bad things existed, just like the good ones. I personally think the values A Little Princess teaches and embraces - the power of imagination, of hope, of dreams, of kindness, of mercy, the ability to stick by your principles, the fact that "everyone is a story" - outweigh these regrettable details that were a part of that time.)
I've re-read A Little Princess several times over the course of my life, and each time I've loved it just as much as I did the first time. But lately, I've developed a tendency to get annoyed by certain Victorian children's literary tropes. For instance, I found the kids' earnestness in Burnett's The Secret Garden oblivious and cloying when I re-read it a few years ago. But not so for this book. A Little Princess remains moving and sad and magical and important.
My son is 9 years old, an age when boys often hear "princess" and run for the hills - even, sadly, ones raised by a feminist like myself. I know he's open-minded, even so (he has no problem watching Disney princess movies or even romcoms with me), but I wasn't sure how he'd be in a few years - teens can be...tough. I hope it won't be the case. Anyway, now felt like the best time to share my favorite book, a book that contains so many of my values and so much of my worldview (minus the racist and colonialist vibes), with him. So, a few months ago we started reading it together before bed. It wasn't always easy - the language can be tricky for a 9-year-old, and yet, it usually kept my son's attention. Sometimes, I'd even ask if he wanted to change things up and read another story for a bit and come back to this one later, and he always said no.
We've had very different childhoods and a lot of different interests, so I'm not sure he related to it the way I did when I read it in my youth - he certainly didn't come out of it saying it was his favorite book. But he really seemed to enjoy it, to marvel at some of its coincidences and magic, to loathe Miss Minchin.
As for me, I can't remember the last time I read A Little Princess, but I sure can say I don't think I ever cried before at the part about the hungry girl and the fourpence. Maybe that's the effect of being a parent, or I don't know, it just moved me more now. Whatever the case, I came out of this book loving it as dearly as ever.
(Btw for parents who might be concerned about some of the now-racist/colonialist things in this book (which were actually fewer than I'd expected), I personally explained the context to my son. Once or twice, I also replaced what would be an extremely offensive word today with another one, but still explained that I was doing that. I think we shouldn't cover up history, because we can learn from it and hopefully make changes for the better, and, good or bad, it's the story of humanity. It's important to be aware that bad things existed, just like the good ones. I personally think the values A Little Princess teaches and embraces - the power of imagination, of hope, of dreams, of kindness, of mercy, the ability to stick by your principles, the fact that "everyone is a story" - outweigh these regrettable details that were a part of that time.)
October 8, 2015
This book is about a girl that is named Sara. She is 7 in the beginning, but for most of the time, she is 11. She is spoiled by her father Captain Crewe, and he always treats Sara like a princess. Then Sara is sent to a boarding school, because her dad has to go and fight in world war one. She doesn't remember a thing about her mom though because her mother died when Sara was just 2. Sara is a happy little girl who believes in magic and has a huge imagination. When she is at the boarding school, her dad continues to pay, so Sara can keep being treated like a princess. Her dad has many riches and he pays extra for Sara to be treated like a princes at the boarding school, and he sends her letters a lot. One day Sara is informed that her dad has died and he is out of money. So the head of the boarding school makes Sara into her maid and threatens Sara that if Sara doesn't work she will kick Sara out and Sara will be homeless. Sara doesn't really have a choice to work or not. She starves, cries herself to sleep and most importantly uses her imagination with the other maid there. Together they become friends and the only hope that keeps them hanging on is Sara's wonderful imagination and love. Then one day Sara's fairytales come true and right in front of her eyes is a beautiful feast. It turns out that there was Sara's dad's friend that fought in war with him, felt bad that her dad died so he was trying to find her, even though he doesn't even know Sara. Along the way he helps a random girl which ends up being Sara. Eventually he finds out it is Sara and he takes her out of the boarding school, and helps the other girls too. Throughout the whole book, people are helping Sara.
I really enjoyed this book. I would read this book over and over, many times. What I really liked about the book, is that it is a story that tells about how many people affect her. My favorite part of the book was when Sara has pretty much starved because she hadn't eaten in like 2 weeks, and she gets some money from a random young boy, just because he feels bad for her. With that money she goes and buys some buns from a bakery. When she gets them she gives 5 of her 6 buns to a different little girl. Then because of Sara’s kindness, the girl that Sara bought her buns from decided to help the little girl that Sara gave the other food. My point is that by Sara being kind-hearted, she affects others and influences others to help each other too. Over all I really just enjoyed that it was a story of hope and it really just expresses that there are people out there that try to help others no matter how big or small they help. It really just reminds me of Saint Teresa's quote: "We can do no great things, only small things with great love." I feel like that is pretty much sums up the whole book.
July 8, 2021
"She looked at each particular thing, as if to commit it to memory."
Oh dear little princess Sara <3
Oh dear little princess Sara <3
January 1, 2018
The Classic Starts version of "A Little Princess" is a book I've read for absolute years. I have no idea when it came into my life, but I know, as a little girl, I read it over and over. I identified so strongly with the main character, Sara, and aspired to be as similar to her as I could be. I suppose she was my Disney Princess.
The tragic, yet magic, tale of Sara Crewe, a little girl who loses her father and her fortune and is forced to work for an awful headmistress as a servant girl is time-honored. Not only do I have lovely memories of the book, but also of the movie starring Shirley Temple as Sara.
It is very obviously an old children's book based off the innocence of the whole story, but I love how all the characters are well-rounded, none of them portrayed as blatantly good or evil. After rereading this abridged version, I cannot wait to read the original.
Also after rereading this, I cannot wait to read it with a daughter of my own one day. It's such a lovely children's book, I hope it never goes forgotten.
The tragic, yet magic, tale of Sara Crewe, a little girl who loses her father and her fortune and is forced to work for an awful headmistress as a servant girl is time-honored. Not only do I have lovely memories of the book, but also of the movie starring Shirley Temple as Sara.
It is very obviously an old children's book based off the innocence of the whole story, but I love how all the characters are well-rounded, none of them portrayed as blatantly good or evil. After rereading this abridged version, I cannot wait to read the original.
Also after rereading this, I cannot wait to read it with a daughter of my own one day. It's such a lovely children's book, I hope it never goes forgotten.
May 20, 2013
I choose this book because my mom brought it one day for me to read saying that she read it when she was little. This story is about a little girl who had to live in a all girls house because her father couldn't take care of her. But her life changes when her father dies and cant pay her rent fess. In the house she lives as a princess but she becomes a slave after her father died. My favorite quote in the book is "Oh no, I left you sleeping because you looked so tired". This showed how she cared for another girl working for her because of no money. This was when her father was alive. I found this book very interesting because the girl lives through out the hard ship when her father died and lived as a slave. I recommend this book to my cousin named Jeonyoung who lives like a princess just like the character. I want her to know that she shouldn't show off too much or else she can become like her.
February 4, 2017
Sara Crewe seorang putri dari saudagar kaya, dikirimkan ayahnya ke Inggris untuk sekolah asrama.
Walaupun Sara anak yang kaya, namun ia tidak sombong. Ia pun mempunyai imajinasi yang tinggi, suka berdongeng kepada teman-temannya.
Dibawah Miss Minchin sebagai kepala asrama yang kejam dan mata duitan, di hari ultah Sara. Miss Minchin membuat pesta ultah besar-besaran untuk Sara, berharap ayah Sara akan mengganti uang nya 2 kali lipat.
Namun ditengah pesta nya yang meriah kabar buruk datang menimpa hidup Sara, ayahnya meninggal dunia akibat fever jungle. Tanpa meninggalkan surat wasiat atau apapun, kini Sara harus menjalani kehidupan menyedihkan di bawah aturan Miss Minchin.
Ia harus tinggal di loteng, sering kelaparan, dan bekerja tanpa henti.. Namun Sara yang seorang putri sejati, tak pernah sekalipun mengeluh. Ia tetap berimajinasi dan tetap rendah hati..
Suka banget sama ceritanya dan keteguhan hati Sara!
Walaupun Sara anak yang kaya, namun ia tidak sombong. Ia pun mempunyai imajinasi yang tinggi, suka berdongeng kepada teman-temannya.
Dibawah Miss Minchin sebagai kepala asrama yang kejam dan mata duitan, di hari ultah Sara. Miss Minchin membuat pesta ultah besar-besaran untuk Sara, berharap ayah Sara akan mengganti uang nya 2 kali lipat.
Namun ditengah pesta nya yang meriah kabar buruk datang menimpa hidup Sara, ayahnya meninggal dunia akibat fever jungle. Tanpa meninggalkan surat wasiat atau apapun, kini Sara harus menjalani kehidupan menyedihkan di bawah aturan Miss Minchin.
Ia harus tinggal di loteng, sering kelaparan, dan bekerja tanpa henti.. Namun Sara yang seorang putri sejati, tak pernah sekalipun mengeluh. Ia tetap berimajinasi dan tetap rendah hati..
Suka banget sama ceritanya dan keteguhan hati Sara!
October 12, 2012
I chose this book because it is a timeless classic.This book is about a girl, named Sara Crewe, who is the daughter of a wealthy captain. He is called to join the war and when he is reported dead, she must go to a dreadful school called miss Minchin's school For Girls.I don't really have a favorite quote from this book, but my favorite part of this book is when Sara by calms Lottie down by telling her a story.The author's writing style is written through the characters of the book.I would recommend this book to people who like classic stories.
November 21, 2022
Okey, i never thougth read a book like this, and believe me, im impact.
A little princess is a book that just touch your heart, sorry, touch your soul ,you can connect with the character for the kind, for all the thing that happend to her, and its very impress how she can still be a kind person even with everything against her.
I really love to read i little of the Sara´s life; the real princess.
¨I tried no to be anything else¨.
¨Its a story-said Sara-everything is a story. You are a story-I am a story. Miss Minchin is a story¨.
5.0🌟/5.0🌟
A little princess is a book that just touch your heart, sorry, touch your soul ,you can connect with the character for the kind, for all the thing that happend to her, and its very impress how she can still be a kind person even with everything against her.
I really love to read i little of the Sara´s life; the real princess.
¨I tried no to be anything else¨.
¨Its a story-said Sara-everything is a story. You are a story-I am a story. Miss Minchin is a story¨.
5.0🌟/5.0🌟
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