Cinderella’s Shoes. Shonna Slayton. Fort Collins, CO: Entangled Publishing (Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books), 2015. 322 pp., trade pbk. & Ebook, $11.50 (pbk.). ISBN 978-1-63375-123-1 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-63375-124-8 (Ebook). Grades 7-10 / Ages 12-15. Review by Laura Dunford. *** /4

excerpt:

Malwinka led them past several rooms, down a staircase, and along another corridor, until Kate was completely lost. She had been trying to create a map in her head, but there was too much to remember, and many of the rooms and corridors looked the same, empty of furnishings, decorations, life. There wasn’t even a nest of field mice in any of the rooms she peered into.

They went down another level, where it was even darker and colder and the stone walls were no longer polished marble. The light from the flickering torch cast strange shadows, and Kate was actually glad Gustaw was with them. Finally, Malwinka stopped at an end room that had a small square cut out in the door. She stretched up on her toes to look in.

“Give me the shoe.” She held out her hand. “Why? What if I still need it?” Kate said, gripping it tight.

Malwinka wrenched it from Kate’s hand, leaving behind a burning sensation.

Kate’s palms began to sweat, despite the cold air. It was either Dad on the other side of the door or the Burgosov accomplices. And if it were Dad, what condition would she find him in? Would he still be alive? Her senses were on alert.

Malwinka took out a key, swung the door wide, and invited Kate to look in.

“Dad?” she called out tentatively.

The follow-up to Slayton’s Cinderella’s Dress, Cinderella’s Shoes rides the wave of momentum built up with the previous novel. The Second World War is over, and Kate Allen is determined to find Cinderella’s missing shoes and use them to find her father, MIA in Poland. The book takes Kate from New York to Italy and finally to Poland where she comes face-to-face with the descendants of the evil stepsisters.

     Kate is a strong female protagonist who grows into her role as ‘Keeper’ of Cinderella’s magical dresses, transforming herself from a self-conscious teenager struggling to escape the pressures of her mother into a young woman willing to risk her life to save her family and fulfill her responsibilities.

     If readers enjoyed Cinderella’s Dress, they will love Cinderella’s Shoes. Like its predecessor, it offers romance, mystery, magic and adventure – only more of each!

Recommended.

Laura Dunford is a graduate of the Master of Arts in Children’s Literature program at the University of British Columbia and is currently pursuing her post-graduate certificate in Publishing at the Centennial Story Arts Centre.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

 

CM Home | Next Review | (Table of Contents for This Issue - January 19, 2016.) | Back Issues | Search | CM Archive | Profiles Archive

Updated: October 17, 2014 (hsd)