First published in 1858, this is the second book in the Comtesse de Ségur's beloved 'Fleury' series, but you can easily jump right in.

The Story

The book centers on sisters Camille and Madeleine, who live a serene life on their country estate with their kind mother, Madame de Fleurville. They are joined by Sophie, a gentle orphan they have taken in. Their days are filled with lessons, caring for animals, and little acts of charity—they are the 'model little girls' of the title. Their peaceful routine is shaken when the wealthy, indulged Marguerite moves in next door. Marguerite is selfish, prone to tantrums, and completely unused to the girls' disciplined and caring way of life. A large part of the story revolves around the patient, sometimes frustrating, process of the three friends trying to guide Marguerite toward better behavior, facing plenty of setbacks along the way.

Why You Should Read It

Don't let the title fool you into thinking it's just a simple moral tale. Yes, it's about virtue, but the characters feel real. The 'model' girls aren't perfect—they get annoyed, they struggle with patience, and their goodness feels earned. The contrast with the wildly misbehaving Marguerite is often funny and always engaging. Ségur, writing from her own experiences as a grandmother, captures the voices and petty dramas of childhood perfectly. You get a vivid picture of 19th-century family life, from clothing and food to education and social expectations, all wrapped in a story that moves along at a nice pace.

Final Verdict

This is a classic for a reason. It's perfect for readers who enjoy gentle historical fiction, fans of stories like Little Women that explore family and morality, or anyone curious about the children's literature that shaped generations. While it's a product of its time (with attitudes we might question today), its heart—a story about friendship, compassion, and the hard work of growing up—remains timeless and genuinely touching.