Princesse Sarah

The story takes place in London (England) in 1885. Sarah Crew, then eight years old, is the daughter of a wealthy businessman, who operates a diamond mine in India. Her mother died when she was just a baby. About to return to India, her father, on the advice of his lawyer, places her in a small boarding school for young girls in order for her to receive the best education. At first, the little girl is treated with all the respect due to her fortune. Sarah, nicknamed the diamond princess, is warmly welcomed by Miss Minchin, the headmistress, and by the other students of the boarding school. Only Lavinia, Miss Minchin's former favorite, openly hates her. One day, however, as she celebrates her ninth birthday, her life takes a turn when she learns of her father's bankruptcy and death. Without resources, she is hired as a servant by the greedy headmistress of the boarding school. Bullied and constantly belittled by the latter, as well as by Marie and James, two employees of the boarding school, Sarah also suffers the taunts of Lavinia, Gertrude and Jessie, former classmates. From now on, she will have to work hard for the boarding school: go to London early in the morning to buy the day's supplies, clean the floors and all the rooms of the school, wash the dishes and clothes of her former classmates, be on coal duty... Often punished for her strength of character, her strength slowly begins to decline, her clothes to deteriorate and her health to deteriorate. Away from the eyes of her persecutors, between the walls of her attic, she gives in to despair and cries over the photo of her parents. Becky, Peter, Lottie and especially Marguerite, the few friends she has left, as well as her immense courage and tenacity, will help her overcome this descent into hell.