This book was a true delight. Sarah Crue is not princess. Far from superficial or spoiled, she is instead quite humble, innocent, imaginative and utterly poor. Or, so it is thought after her father dies and it is discovered all his money is gone, leaving Sarah a penniless orphan. The mean head mistress of her boarding school sends her to live in the cold and bare attic, where she is disregarded and treated as a servant. Despite the cruelty she suffers, Sarah's spirit remains strong, kind and compassionate.