Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Cinder and Ella by Melissa Lemon - ADVISABLE


Cinder and Ella - Amazon

Lemon, Melissa Cinder and Ella, 208 p. Cedar Fort, NOVEMBER 2011.  Katrina, Cinder, Ella and Beatrice’s mother works day in and day out at her loom in a catatonic state, unable to wrest herself from her grief at her husband’s disappearance.  Cinder, the quiet, beautiful one is willing to take things in stride and works herself to the bone keeping the household together.  Ella, just younger is more willful and will do anything to escape her wretched life.  Cinder leaves, taking a job at the castle, hoping to earn some money for her family. Ella also decides to leave in order to find her own happiness, heading off in a new direction – anywhere, as long as it is away from her family – especially since Cinder’s departure they have taken to calling for “Cinderella”, not even acknowledging Ella’s presence.  In despair, Ella turns to the Prince, who, unbeknownst to Ella, has evil designs not only on her, but on the entire kingdom.  Okay – that was a bit long, but there is so much more to discover in this book.  I actually think it would have been better without the Cinder + Ella = Cinderella contrivance, but I enjoyed the story enough that I am willing to overlook its flaws.  Another charming relook at a classic fairy tale.  EL, MS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

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