Oct. 2016-- I purchased a few copies of this for my kids as it's one of the books we're studying for our Victorian Sci-Fi & Fantasy class. Reading it through this second time, I didn't find it as magical as I did the first time around. I think part of that was due to the fact that I was taking notes and building a curriculum around it this time, rather than just reading for pleasure. Still, it's a lovely story and one of our family's favorites!

Oct. 2012--Excellent! This is my new favorite book! What a magical, wonderful story. I love how the author gives glory to God---both by having the children dedicate the land of the monastery back to God and also in the amazing description of the church service. ( )

A sweet story I would've been all over as a child, despite some culturally- and era-specific morality running around in there. I can see the same voice as green dolphin (which was given to me so very randomly) and I can see why Rowling loved it.

A particular kind of classic children's literature in which nothing too terrible happens, much is resolved, and you know from the first page that everyone is a very nice sort of person and all will end happily for them. And in between there are sometimes mysterious creatures and unexplained things and that's perfectly fine. Many adults would hate this book, but anyone who read it in childhood probably still loves it. It's that kind of book. I suspect it would irritate the shit out of Seanan McGuire, of Wayward Children fame, and anyone who longs for snark above earnestness but to me it's a cozy blanket of a book and a comfort in dark times. ( )

If someone can write a book like this, I think that's enough for them to be satisfied with their life. ( )

Great children's story about an orphan who is sent to live with her rich old uncle in the country. She turns out to be a princess and saves the land. ( )