Other editions of book Samantha learns a lesson: A school story

Samantha Parkington is an orpan who lives with her rich grandmother in 1904. There are many servants in Grandmary's busy, bustling household, but there is no one for Samantha to play with. That's why she's so excited when Nellie moves in next door. Nellie has come to work so that she can send money back to her family in the city. Even though their lives are different, the two girls become good friends. One day Samantha discovers that Jessie, the seamstress, is leaving. No one will tell her why. So she and Nellie plan a secret midnight adventure to find out.

Samantha attends Miss Crampton's Academy, a private school for proper young ladies. Samantha wants to win the gold medal in the speaking contest, but she's worried about Nellie, the poor servant girl who has become her friend. If she can teach Nellie to read, maybe the boys and girls at school will stop calling Nellie "dummy" and "ragbag." Samantha sets up a school in Grandmary's tower room and becomes Nellie's teacher. But Nellie teaches Samantha some very important lessons, too.

Samantha has high hopes for the best Christmas ever. Things start to go wrong when her Uncle Gard announces he is bringing the beautiful Cornelia home for the holidays. The household goes into a dither, and in all the confusion,no one pays much attention to Samantha and her private wish for the beautiful doll in the window at Schofield's Toy Store. Samantha blames Cornelia for ruining the holidays. But when Christmas morning finally comes, Samantha has more than one surprise waiting for her.