A Little Princess (the book)

I’ve loved this book since I was a child, and since it’s a Victorian child’s book, and Victorians believed in sheltering children, I’m sure there’s nothing majorly inappropriate in terms of the usual (sex, violence, etc.)  But I haven’t read it for at least 10 years now.  It might be upsetting to a 6 year old because Sarah becomes an orphan and people aren’t always nice to her and do not always behave honestly, but most little girls and boys of 6 could handle that, especially if mom talks to them about any feelings they have about this, etc.  If magic bothers you, there is no real magic in the book, but for a while Sarah believes magic is happening.  I believe there may also be a teeny bit of very subtle racism about Indian people–I’m sure the author meant to be Christian in her attitudes, but she couldn’t completely be immune to the prejudices of ordinary British people in those times of the British Empire.  But I think I would have remembered it if it were really bad, and in any case, you can use it to discuss your family’s moral code, and racism and British history, with your little one.  A lot of parents nowadays might say it’s too old-fashioned and holds up an unattainable model for behavior, but I remember it as being inspirational when I was a child.  Best wishes, Sue