Cinderella’s Dress by Shonna Slayton - OPTIONAL

Slayton, Shonna Cinderella’s Dress, 322 p. Entangled Teen, 2014.  $10.  Content: G.  

In the midst of World War II, Kate’s Dad is traveling somewhere in Europe, her brother is anxious to enlist and join the war over there, and Kate and her mother are trying to hold life together and hope that the men will come home safely.  Then Mom’s aunt Elsie from Poland arrives on the scene with a crazy story about a very important dress that Kate’s family has kept safe for a very long time - the original Cinderella’s ballgown.  While Cinderella’s descendants may not have an political importance any more, should the crafty Burgosovs (evil step sisters) get their hands on the dress, they could do some damage.  Besides all of that, Kate still has to worry about following her own dreams, not her mother’s, and prove herself capable of designing as beautiful department store windows as the men, along with wondering if the handsome boy will ever pay attention to her.  

Slayton writes her book in fits and starts, with few real time clues, so it is hard to know exactly how much time is passing between scenes - has it been days? months? years?  I don’t know.  Other than that confusion, she a good job of weaving the Cinderella basics with a novel with glimpses of World War II and at heart about a girl who is trying to find her place in the world.  If this is meant for a YA audience, it feels on the older end of the spectrum.  It has a historical setting, which are not as popular by themselves.  The gorgeous dress on the cover and title will capture browsing eyes, though and help sell it.  

HS - OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library Teacher