The Little French Girl

"The Little French Girl" by Anne Douglas Sedgwick is a story set in the early 20th century. It tells of Alix, a youthful French girl, as she begins her existence in England after her departure from her adored home in Montarel, France. Adapting to a new world, relationships with her past and the echo of her family's story mold her emotions and life lessons. The story opens with Alix at a chilly, misty English station, remembering her previous life full of warmth and beauty in Montarel. Traveling alone from France, she is nervous about meeting the family of the late Captain Owen, a friend of her family. Through Alix's reminiscences, the reader discovers her strong bond with her mom and grandpa, fondness of her home, and the gravity of loss and evolution she has. This story presents Alix's yearning for her French life against the strangeness and difficulties she meets in England, setting the stage for her to learn about her own self and adaptability.