The Gilded Girl. Alyssa Colman. 2021. 352 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence: Izzy watched through a crack in the door as the young ladies in the parlor burst into flame.
Premise/plot: The Gilded Girl is a retelling of The Little Princess set in New York City in 1906/1907. Emma Harris, one of our heroines, plays the role of the 'spoiled' little rich girl. (She's not spoiled. Emma Harris even before the fall that everyone knows is coming has a heart of pure gold.) Izzy, our other heroine, is a servant at the school.
The school is where the book perhaps takes the most liberties. For this isn't just any elite boarding school, it is Miss Posterity's Academy for Practical Magic. She teaches wealthy young girls how to do magic, how to prepare for the Kindling Ceremony and the Kindling Winds that blow every December. Those whose magic is kindled can become licensed magicians. Magic is only for the wealthiest, most prestigious classes of society. Otherwise one's magic is snuffed out at age 12.
Izzy has magic--though a servant--and she does not want it snuffed out. Emma is forced into servitude. She also doesn't want to lose her magic. These two work together as servants and secret students to see if they can hold onto their magic despite their poverty.
My thoughts: I enjoyed this one very much. The intended audience for this one were born probably between 2008 and 2012. Today's generation may or may not be familiar with the story of The Little Princess. Most probably wouldn't have read the original. Some may have seen it adapted for film. It is not labeled by the back copy (jacket copy) as being a retelling of The Little Princess. I am curious if this was intentional. Because it is glaringly apparent if you're an adult that this is without a doubt The Little Princess newly adorned.
I think my favorite part of The Gilded Girl was the "house dragon" (aka the black cat pictured on the cover) named FIGGY PUDDING.
© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers
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