Their Own Sober Futures

Margaret Stohl and Melissa De La Cruz team up to recreate the three popular books of Frances Hodgson Burnett into one imaginative story. Sara Crewe has been taken to boarding school in order to take part in English society, but finds that not many people are welcoming of her Philippine heritage. She makes fast friends with the strong-willed Mary Lennox, and the quiet Cedric Errol. Together they escape their unfairly oppressive circumstances, fall into trouble, and find a brighter future.

Stohl and Cruz make quite a few changes to these three stories in order to fit them into one. Sara, Mary, and Cedric make wonderful friends, as they have quite a bit in common and complementary personalities. Cruz’s changes to Sara’s backstory are refreshing and fit well into Sara’s calm and dignified demeanor. Though, the rich Philippine culture is only mentioned in passing, and is dulled by the boring English boarding school. Mary’s experience in India, and Sara’s character’s original origin, is barely mentioned. Mary has all the fiery spirit of her counterpart, and a strength of will to make all their futures better than their current troubles. Cedric takes on the characteristics of Colin Craven, and is the practical character in this book.

As the trio’s situations become worse and worse throughout this story, they struggle to find good in other people. Instead, they must help each other, and find strength in themselves to overcome a terrible world. This book would have been stronger as a longer book with a fully fleshed out plot. Instead, it is a bit dreary, harsh to beloved characters, and uncomplimentary to Burnett’s original work. It is a book better read separate from its inspiration, as a tale of friendship and strength of character. ( )

3.5 stars

This was cute and sweet despite the tragedies.
It was a bit young for me and I thought there would be more magic involved with the mention of the genie but theres none.
Wasn't a fan of Sara's choice and ending, seems silly. ( )

What if teenage Sara Crewe, Mary Lennox, and Cedric Errol all found themselves at Miss Minchin's school together? Is it possible that they just might become best friends? In this remix of Frances Hodgson Burnett's three best-known classics, that's exactly what happens. When disaster strikes, the three friends leave the school for new adventures -- but of course, things don't always go as planned.

First off, let me say that I really liked what De La Cruz did with the character of Sara Crewe. Reimagining her as a wealthy daughter of the Philippines gave her added depth without departing too far from Burnett's character. I felt that Mary was true to character as well, if a little more modern in her language and attitudes. I can't say much for Cedric Errol, as it's been some time since I read his book, but the authors have conflated him with the character of Colin. indeed there was a lot of conflating going on in this book, which didn't bother me too much, as it served the story. I was puzzled, though, at the inclusion of characters from the original stories who only got an introduction, but there was nothing resolved in their story arc as it is in Burnett's books. Ram Dass, for example, and Becky the maidservant. Martha Sowerby was the most troubling to me, as the authors had her acting contrary to her character in the original. I also thought making the garden actually magical, with non-native plants and animals from various habitats flourishing side by side, was a choice I didn't feel entirely necessary. And the ending was melodramatic beyond my ability to suspend disbelief; there was some eye-rolling on my part. All of the characters exhibited much more modern attitudes than Burnett's originals. That might give them more appeal to modern readers, but I probably wouldn't recommend this to fans of Burnett's writing. ( )

Sara Crewe just came all the way from the Philippines to the Select Seminary for Young Ladies and Gentlemen in Manchester, England. Others in the school were wary of her, but Mary Lennox was not and the two quickly became best friends. While volunteering in the seminary’s infirmary, they meet Cedric Erroll, a boy who has an illness that gives him tremors and makes it difficult for him to walk. After sneaking out together to go ice skating, the trio become the best of friends.

Tragedy strikes both Sara and Mary individually. Not wanting to be split up, the three run away from the seminary on their way to Paris. But they don’t make it far with no food and the little cash that they had in their pockets. Cedric reveals at this time a secret he was keeping from the girls, which changes the direction of their travels. Instead of Paris, they are heading to Maythem Estate, where it is more than just a safe place for them to get back on their feet, the large acre property holds a secret garden and blossoming romance.

I really enjoyed this book. As a big fan of the 1995 film, A Little Princess, I was really excited to read a retelling of the story. I was also excited to find the two main characters were POC - Sara is Half Filipino and Mary is Indian. Set in 1860’s England, I was curious to see how the girls would be seen by others around them. It was addressed quite a few times and I feel like it was always handled relatively well (at least on their girls’ ends).

A problem I had while reading, and I don’t know why it even was one, was that I knew the girls and Cedric were fifteen/sixteen-year-olds, but I kept reading them as younger (closer to thirteen or fourteen) and had to keep reminding myself of their age. I feel like it was a bit of the immaturity they all seemed to have… but then I would remember they all grew up privileged and didn’t really know the world outside. The journey they go on really opens their eyes up to a lot of that though.

I wish the garden was talked about a little more in the story though. Mary finds it and shows it to the others, but then that’s kind of it? I just wish more time was spent there.

Overall, I still really enjoyed this book. It was a nice read that kept me turning the pages to find out what happens next and if everyone would get their happy ending. ( )