Novels and Novelettes for Young People
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
A Little Princess (1905) - A young girl's kindness and imagination sustain her spirits as she faces life with a cruel headmistress at a London boarding school.
This novel is an expansion of Mrs. Burnett's earlier story Sara Crewe; or, What Happened at Miss Minchin's, serialized in St. Nicholas Magazine beginning in December 1887. In 1902, Mrs. Burnett adapted Sara Crewe into a play called A Little Un-fairy Princess. Her publisher requested that she expand the story as a longer novel, which resulted in A Little Princess: Being the Whole Story of Sara Crewe Now Being Told for the First Time. A number of film adaptations exist, including a 1939 movie starring Shirley Temple as Sara. Free HTML - Read now Movie - Watch now |
Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886) - The loyalty and sincerity of an affectionate boy and his devoted mother transform a hardened Earl into a loving grandfather.
Originally serialized in St. Nicholas Magazine beginning in October 1885, this story was published by Scribner's as a novel in 1886. Following the book's popularity and an unapproved theatrical adaptation, Mrs. Burnett initiated and won a plagiarism lawsuit and created her own script titled The Real Little Lord Fauntleroy. A number of film adaptations exist, including a well-done 1936 movie featuring Freddie Bartholomew as Cedric and Mickey Rooney as Dick. Free HTML - Read now Movie - Watch now |
Sara Crewe; or, What Happened at Miss Minchin's (1887)
This novelette was originally serialized in St. Nicholas Magazine beginning in December 1887. In 1902, Mrs. Burnett adapted the story into a play called A Little Un-fairy Princess. Her publisher requested that she expand the story as a longer novel, which resulted in A Little Princess in 1905.
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This novelette was originally serialized in St. Nicholas Magazine beginning in December 1887. In 1902, Mrs. Burnett adapted the story into a play called A Little Un-fairy Princess. Her publisher requested that she expand the story as a longer novel, which resulted in A Little Princess in 1905.
Free PDF - Read now
The Lost Prince (1915) - Two virtuous boys embark on a dangerous journey across Europe to spread a secret message that will end a civil war and restore the prince to his rightful throne in Samavia.
This book was originally published by Century Co. Any reprints entitled The Lost Prince of Samavia are lightly abridged, as is the Puffin Classics edition which omits some of the Buddhist and New Age spiritual elements while retaining the sense of heroism and adventure. This story begs to be made into a movie, but alas, no film adaptations exist. Free HTML - Read now |
The Secret Garden (1911) - A sour young girl and her sickly cousin are restored to health by nurturing a secret garden.
This work was serialized in The American Magazine beginning in 1910. The classic tale has several marvelous adaptations, including a Broadway musical by Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman. Many fans recommend the 1949 and 1993 movie adaptations. The book is widely available, as are a number of companion items including activity books and a cookbook. Free HTML - Read now Movie (1949) - Watch now Movie (1993) - Watch now Musical - Listen now |
Two Little Pilgrims' Progress: A Story of the City Beautiful (1895) - Two hard-working orphan twins earn money to attend the World's Fair in Chicago, where marvelous delights exceed even their fanciful expectations.
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