If the Shoe Fits

November 15, 2012
Intrepid siblings Abby and Jonah continue their adventures through the realm of fairy tales in this comical story (Fairest of All, 2012). Having recently returned--via magic mirror--from Snow White's world, 10-year-old Abby is searching for answers. She longs to discover why she and her brother were sent into the fairy tale. However, her investigation quickly goes awry when, instead of receiving an explanation, the duo is suddenly transported through the mirror and into a different tale. Once there, an accident involving Abby, the iconic glass slipper and Cinderella's foot alters the course of the traditional story. Soon, the siblings are racing against time to restore the fairy tale and return home. Once again Mlynowski cleverly revises a classic fairy tale, offering a fresh interpretation of Cinderella's story and giving it a modern update. In this version, a feisty fairy godmother challenges Cinderella to rely upon her own ingenuity--not a handsome prince--to remedy her situation, and a formerly mean stepsister becomes quite sympathetic and remorseful. Despite many humorous mishaps and a surprising transformation, the ever-resourceful Abby's savvy wit and Jonah's enthusiastic assistance overcome all obstacles. Readers bewitched by this lively series will enjoy this adventurous sequel. (Fantasy. 9-12)

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January 1, 2013

Gr 3-6-This charming story serves as a solid follow-up to Fairest of All (Scholastic, 2012). Abby and her younger brother, Jonah, are transported from Smithville to the land of Floom, where they encounter Cinderella. As they did with Snow White in the first book, the siblings manage to alter the course of events and create a little chaos. The glass slipper has fallen on Cinderella's foot, causing it to swell and bruise, and her fairy godmother will not help her until she can prove that she is capable of being self-reliant. Can Abby and Jonah help Cinderella grow as a person before it's too late and she loses her happily ever after? It is fun to see Cinderella go from a damsel in distress to an independent young woman, not to mention refreshing. The characters are not as one-dimensional as one would assume, and the twists throughout the story make it a worthwhile fractured fairy tale.-Elizabeth Swistock, Orange County Public Library, VA

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2013
Grades 4-6 You've got to love a Cinderella retelling in which the fairy godmother is named Farrah. In this sequel to Fairest of All (2012), siblings Abby and Jonah once again travel through the magic mirror in their basement, this time to a place called Floom. They land in the palace, realize there's a ball going on, and then follow Cinderella to the home of her wicked stepmother when the clock strikes 12. Of course, in spite of their best efforts, Abby and Jonah can't help but interfere in the fairy tale's natural progression, and that's when the fun begins. Farrah insists that Cinderella learn to stand on her own two feet! (you go, Farrah) to prove herself worthy of being a strong partner for the prince. Mlynowski has a knack for these fresh, hip fractured tales and is particularly adept at the funny details, like Abby's pajama pants, which have the same pattern as the Floom flag. Tween girls are going to gobble this story up like a crownie (Cinderella's brownie specialty) and want another and another.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)