A Little Princess: Being the whole story of Sara Crewe now told for the first time

About:

Sara Crewe, a young motherless girl loved dearly by her wealthy father, is left at an English boarding school when her father is sent to war. Initially treated very well, Sara’s world is turned upside-down when she receives news that her father has died, and his money is gone.

Suddenly Sara must deal not only with the death of her father, but also of the sudden cruel treatment by most in the boarding school. Now forced to become to work to stay at the school, sleeping in the attic and eating the little given to her, Sara longs for a better life with plenty of food and comfort.

Strange and wonderful things begin to appear in Sara’s attic room, including an unusually friendly monkey. Sara becomes more hopeful for her future as the gifts appear. But someone has been looking for her and not everything is as she thought…will Sara get the happy ending she dreams of?

Alternate Title: Sara Crewe: or, What Happened at Miss Minchin’s (Title: 1887-1905)
Author: Burnett, Frances Hodgson
Date Published: 1887-88 (magazine), 1888 (first book), 1905 (expanded story, new title)
Publisher: St. Nicholas (magazine), Charles Scribner’s Sons (books)
Illustrator: Birch, Reginald B. (1888), Ethel Franklin Betts (1905)
Public Domain: YES

Likely the only book that Burnett ever reworked, A Little Princess is considered the “full story” of Sara Crewe. First written while Burnett was attending Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887, it was later made it into a stage play, then rewritten with it’s current title: A Little Princess.