Egmont USA (April 2010)
YA Fiction
Summary: Jess Parker never really fit in. Until she receives an invitation to join The Cinderella Society (TCS). She gets swept up in their world and life but there's a bigger picture. The purpose of TCS is to help combat The Wickeds. Jess starts to wonder if she's the wrong person for the job. Full description here.
I was a little apprehensive about this book as I figured it would be about a bunch of good looking girls who are cliquish. That was before I read the description of course. It turns out this is the perfect book for showing girls can accomplish anything and shows a full understanding of the way high school works. Although I doubt any such Cinderella Society really exists, there are Wickeds (the mean, bullies) and Reggies (regular people) and though there might not be Cindys (the Cinderella Society, trying to stop the Wickeds from bullying the Reggies), there are those who help others. As a bully target, I identified with Jess and Heather in the book.
I'll admit I"m not great in reviewing fiction, mostly because I review nonfiction more. I want to make sure not to give away too much of the book but it would be really cool if The Cinderella Society and it's mother organization really existed. As part of turning into a Cindy, Jess gets a makeover, but it's not your average makeover. Jess has to study and figure out what her style is. Then she is helped to look more like she feels inside. This is not a making you up so much that you aren't who you really are kind of makeover. Also, although Jess's low self-esteem makes her think she's not attractive till she's all made up, a boy tells her that he noticed her way before her makeover, showing that she underestimates how beautiful she really is. Unfortunately this is common for teenage girls. Well actually, girls and women of all ages.
If you'd like to read an excerpt, you can find out here. If you are looking for a more in depth review with talk about plot, characters and more, check out some of the other reviews below from fellow bloggers.
From Once Upon a Bookcase:
"For the whole of July, I and several other bloggers will be reading YA novels that cover body image and self-perception issues, from eating disoders and obesity to physical disabilities, disfigurment, and general self-esteem issues. [...] BI&SP Month is about looking at how authors deal with this sensitive subject, and to try and make people realise there is no perfect body image, that you're perfectly beautiful as you are."
Links of Interest: Kay Cassidy, The Cinderella Society, BISP Month, Kay Cassidy on Twitter,
Other Reviews: Juiciliciousss Reviews, Cindy's Love of Books, Shooting Stars Mag, Book Crumbs, The Page Flipper, Reading Keeps You Sane,
Buy The Cinderella Society
at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews* I won this book at a blog giveaway and was not compensated in any way for my review.
