SOLVED. YA book similar to Little Princess. [s]

[Melissa]

This is a book that is part of a series of YA books, but the first book is very similar to the beginning of The Little Princess.

Cover: It may have changed, but I remember a pink cover with a white "photo" oval cut out where the little girl stood with long blonde hair, blue eyes, and I believe she was wearing one of those wide rimmed hats.

Story Similarities: girl is middle school age (i think), she used to travel with her father while he worked, but now has to go to a boarding school due to the dangers of where he is going next. Father dies, and her fortune goes missing, so she is moved to an attic like area of the school which is in disrepair.

Story Differences I remember are: it takes place in a more modern time, The father is a movie producer who get sick while filming abroad and passes away, and she has her own horse in the school stables which she is able to take riding lessons on.

[Becca]

Molly's Heart by Gabrielle Charbonnet is a modern retelling of A Little Princess, with two sequels.

If it's not that, do you think the book you read was a deliberate / intentional retelling, or was it just coincidentally similar?

Also, roughly what year / decade did you read it?

[Andria]

I think Molly's Heart is a solid guess. The MC's father is a filmmaker.

[Melissa]

That is it! Thank you! I was talking about Little Princess variations with a girl I sit for and couldn't for the life of me remember the name of this one. Thank you!!!!