Little Lord Fauntleroy

A young boy in America unexpectedly learns that he is not an ordinary American child, but is instead next in line to an earldom. The new Lord Fauntleroy is sent to England with his mother to meet the grandfather he has never known, a grandfather who, unbeknownst to him, previously cut off contact with his father when he chose to marry an American woman.

It's a fairy tale of a book, with a kind, uplifting central character in Fauntleroy, who influences everyone he meets, including his curmudgeonly grandfather, in a positive way.

At times, I was tempted to roll my eyes with annoyance at Fauntleroy's goodness, especially when he calls his mother “Dearest” and when he somehow fails to notice that his grandfather is universally hated. Nevertheless, it is a refreshing read, so I'm offering this book a very generous four-stars for the hope provided by such a character for good.