Sara Crewe is the privileged daughter of a wealthy merchant and is treated like the princess of Miss Minchin's boarding school. And soon, Sara is expected to become even more wealthy as her father has invested in newly discovered diamond mines. Although she's often presented as the star pupil by the materialistic headmistress, Sara nevertheless finds ways to show kindness and generosity to all around her.

But when Sara's fortunes are suddenly reversed, she's left completely alone and penniless. As she becomes a scullery maid at the school and is scorned by the people who once doted on her, Sara's fierce determination to stay a princess despite her circumstances by maintaining her dignity and kindness has intrigued and delighted readers for over a hundred years.