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Scarily Ever Laughter #1
Cinderskella
Cindy is just a normal eleven and three-quarter year-old. At least until she wakes up one night and finds out she’s dead. Well, she isn’t technically dead—she just doesn’t have any hair . . . or a nose . . . or skin. Yep—all bones, no body.
Human by day and skeleton by night, Cindy is definitely cursed. And because her mother recently died, Cindy has no one to turn to except a father who’s now scared of her and an evil stepmother who makes her do the housecleaning with a toothbrush. To make matters worse, the Spring Fling dance is approaching, and Ethan, the cutest boy in sixth grade, doesn’t seem to know Cindy exists. Of course, Cindy doesn’t think letting Ethan find out she’s part skeleton is the best way to introduce herself.
While facing such perils as pickled pig’s feet, a wacky fortune teller, and a few quick trips to the Underworld, Cindy’s determined to break the curse—even for a single night.
Human by day and skeleton by night, Cindy is definitely cursed. And because her mother recently died, Cindy has no one to turn to except a father who’s now scared of her and an evil stepmother who makes her do the housecleaning with a toothbrush. To make matters worse, the Spring Fling dance is approaching, and Ethan, the cutest boy in sixth grade, doesn’t seem to know Cindy exists. Of course, Cindy doesn’t think letting Ethan find out she’s part skeleton is the best way to introduce herself.
While facing such perils as pickled pig’s feet, a wacky fortune teller, and a few quick trips to the Underworld, Cindy’s determined to break the curse—even for a single night.
254 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
47 people are currently reading
461 people want to read
About the author
Amie Borst
14 books49 followersAmie Borst still believes in unicorns, uses glitter whenever possible and accessorizes in pink. She enjoys eating chocolate while writing and keeps a well-stocked stash hidden away from her family. A native New Yorker she currently resides in Northern Virginia with her husband, three children and a cute dog named Lily. She wishes she had a hot-pink elevator with carnival lights to travel the world. But for now, her minivan will have to do.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 13, 2013
I hate rating my own work because honestly, I'm my own worst critic. Still, I hope readers find Cinderskella to be a funny, heart-warming read.
March 5, 2014
I received a copy of Cinderskella in exchange for a review and am happy to give it a high rating. I would have given it 6 stars out of 5 if I could.
This original tale, told by an eleven year old girl who finds out that her recently deceased mother left her with a curse, was an awesome read!
At first I wondered why a loving mother would want her child to turn into a skeleton every night. Despite all the humour that goes on, I felt a bit of pity for the main character because her father could not handle her new state. Luckily, Cindy discovered the cool reason behind her curse and... Her happiness was interrupted by her father's news that he had remarried. The story was a very interesting twist to the popular Cinderella story. It is not as predictable as you would think though. In fact, it is full of surprises.
The book was fun, slightly spooky, and super funny. It made me laugh out loud (literally).
It is rare that I will read the same book more than once, but I think I will make an exception for Cinderskella. I loved it!!!
This original tale, told by an eleven year old girl who finds out that her recently deceased mother left her with a curse, was an awesome read!
At first I wondered why a loving mother would want her child to turn into a skeleton every night. Despite all the humour that goes on, I felt a bit of pity for the main character because her father could not handle her new state. Luckily, Cindy discovered the cool reason behind her curse and... Her happiness was interrupted by her father's news that he had remarried. The story was a very interesting twist to the popular Cinderella story. It is not as predictable as you would think though. In fact, it is full of surprises.
The book was fun, slightly spooky, and super funny. It made me laugh out loud (literally).
It is rare that I will read the same book more than once, but I think I will make an exception for Cinderskella. I loved it!!!
January 22, 2015
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Cindy used to be a normal girl with a normal life but everything changed when her mother left her something before she died. If you think it was a piece of jewelry or her last letter then you’re wrong. She gave Cindy…a curse. She’s normal in the morning but she’s a skeleton at night. But being a skeleton is not the only problem. Her father remarried immediately after her mother died without giving her a heads up. Now, she has a stepmother who is giving her weird list of chores and two stepsisters who obey their mother’s every command. Then, Ethan McAllister, her long time crush, asked her out for the Spring Fling Dance which will happen at night. How will this story have a happily ever after, you ask? You have to find out for yourself.
I know what’s going through your mind right now. What kind of mother would curse her daughter before she died? That’s also my reaction when I read it. It’s a bit messed up in the beginning because we don’t know much about the characters yet. But as I read further I understand why her mother, father and stepmother acted the way they did.
Cindy was a bit overdramatic and kind of annoying in the first half of the story but then I realize I was annoying too when I was her age. (Maybe, even now). Cindy’s POV was really funny and she has this quirky way of stopping the narration and side-commenting on how silly, everything that is happening to her. For some, it might throw them off but I kind of like it. It was full of snark, randomness and funny insight. I think, kids will like Cindy if not love her.
Cinderskella was a cute, morbid, new take on the famous Cinderella story with lots of silly moments and moral lessons in it. I recommend it to everyone who likes fairy tales especially kids age 9-14.
Cindy used to be a normal girl with a normal life but everything changed when her mother left her something before she died. If you think it was a piece of jewelry or her last letter then you’re wrong. She gave Cindy…a curse. She’s normal in the morning but she’s a skeleton at night. But being a skeleton is not the only problem. Her father remarried immediately after her mother died without giving her a heads up. Now, she has a stepmother who is giving her weird list of chores and two stepsisters who obey their mother’s every command. Then, Ethan McAllister, her long time crush, asked her out for the Spring Fling Dance which will happen at night. How will this story have a happily ever after, you ask? You have to find out for yourself.
I know what’s going through your mind right now. What kind of mother would curse her daughter before she died? That’s also my reaction when I read it. It’s a bit messed up in the beginning because we don’t know much about the characters yet. But as I read further I understand why her mother, father and stepmother acted the way they did.
Cindy was a bit overdramatic and kind of annoying in the first half of the story but then I realize I was annoying too when I was her age. (Maybe, even now). Cindy’s POV was really funny and she has this quirky way of stopping the narration and side-commenting on how silly, everything that is happening to her. For some, it might throw them off but I kind of like it. It was full of snark, randomness and funny insight. I think, kids will like Cindy if not love her.
Cinderskella was a cute, morbid, new take on the famous Cinderella story with lots of silly moments and moral lessons in it. I recommend it to everyone who likes fairy tales especially kids age 9-14.
January 24, 2016
I haven't read a MG book since I was around MG age, or perhaps a touch younger since we didn't have as many resources. I decided to read this because Amie is one of my JFP friends and when I saw a Kindle sale on both of her (and her daughter's) books, I wanted to support them. As well, 2016 is the year where I've decided I'm going to experiment with books that I normally wouldn't read due to genre (such as me taking myself literally).
That said, I'm surprised not more people know about this book. For the age range, it's absolutely delightful. It's funny, punny, cute, and clever. There were also a few extremely poignant moments, in particular this exchange:
I held my hands in front of the mirror and I pretended my left hand was a dog. He said, “Hey, got a biscuit?” And my other hand responded, “No, but I’ve got a bone.”
Just... jeez. That cut me deep. I mean, sure, there's the humor with the joke, but the sadness that accompanied this moment was really powerful. It was lonely, and sweet, and just... wow.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this. I'd recommend this to anyone who had kids in the MG age range. It's an extremely good way to teach kids (and parents) about acceptance and tolerance as well with accepting someone for who they are. Considering the #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement, this is something that I think could teach a LOT of people, especially those in many closed-minded areas, and help with moral lessons on universal love and acceptance.
That said, I'm surprised not more people know about this book. For the age range, it's absolutely delightful. It's funny, punny, cute, and clever. There were also a few extremely poignant moments, in particular this exchange:
I held my hands in front of the mirror and I pretended my left hand was a dog. He said, “Hey, got a biscuit?” And my other hand responded, “No, but I’ve got a bone.”
Just... jeez. That cut me deep. I mean, sure, there's the humor with the joke, but the sadness that accompanied this moment was really powerful. It was lonely, and sweet, and just... wow.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this. I'd recommend this to anyone who had kids in the MG age range. It's an extremely good way to teach kids (and parents) about acceptance and tolerance as well with accepting someone for who they are. Considering the #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement, this is something that I think could teach a LOT of people, especially those in many closed-minded areas, and help with moral lessons on universal love and acceptance.
July 14, 2014
True rating: 2.5 stars.
Spoilers, spoilers, spoilers! So you’ve been warned, warned, warned!
It sure rubs me the wrong way when an author gives her own book 5 stars. And when her friends, and at least one label-mate, do the same. But I suppose that's a by-product of the independent press. Still, even though support is great, honest, unbiased reviews are the foundation of Goodreads.
Cinderskella is not a thoroughly bad book: the premise is intriguing and original, and its underworld is interesting, though conditions there are more dismal than spooky and are a bit confusing. (Cindy, though a skeleton, is passed off as being “recently dead”. When it’s pointed out that if she’s RD, then she shouldn’t be a skeleton, the defense is that she “got lost along the way”. Obviously, that makes no sense.) A few of the characters, like Cheddar, the skeleton mouse, have personality, though most are flat or uninteresting. Her father initially comes off as a cold, uncaring tyrant, and early on the reader wishes he was dead, too. (When announcing to his young daughter the terrible news that her mother is about to die, he is said to be standing in front of the door with “his arms crossed tightly in front of his chest”. He makes no move to take Cindy’s hand or to comfort her, but says simply, “It’s time”, then motions for her to come forward, “waving his hand in the direction of her [mother’s] bed”.) And speaking of her mother: she’s a witch, one strong and skillful enough to cast a spell seconds before she dies that changes her daughter into a skeleton at night – What monumentally powerful magic! – yet she was unable to heal herself from whatever lingering, unnamed illness she had.
The narrator is 11 going on 12, and the writing style reflects that, which is great for creating an authentic sounding text, but not so terrific a thing for the prose in terms of variety: "It would have been lame without you here." A few sentences later: "I made a lame attempt...." And a few sentences after that: "No one's dancing. So lame." (pages 218-19)
The "Time Outs!", where Cindy talks directly to the reader, interrupt the flow of the narrative, too often undercutting the build up of emotion and destroying any tenderness or concern the reader has for Cindy’s plight. Some of them just plain don’t work, while occasionally the authors repeat themselves:
Pages 13-14: “I put my head to her chest and cried. Well, actually, I sobbed. Time Out! First of all, no, I’m not a baby....”
Page 192: “I buried my face in my mom’s chest and sobbed. Time Out! What’s it to you? So what if I cried?”
Remove every "Time Out!" in the text and only a small amount of humor would be lost, but the drama would be intensified, as would the sympathy the reader feels for Cindy. It would make for a much better, deeper read. As it is, there’s too much up and down – should we take this scene seriously and be sad, or is the whole thing a comedy and we should laugh? The series is called "Scarily Ever Laughter", but many jokes are forced or misplaced, and the book does not sustain a lighthearted tone. How can it when a girl's mother dies in the opening pages? In the end, this confusing pendulum of emotions makes it difficult to consistently be invested in the characters.
The labored puns are another aspect of the work that doesn’t pan out. "Mrs. Femur" as a science teacher shows some promise, but then we have the principal, Mr. G. Petto, and later, Mr. Pin Occhio who works at Imma’s Real Boy. Those are as close to being puns as they are to being funny.
The scene involving Cindy eating pig’s feet is overly long and ridiculous. As unappetizing as "pig’s feet" might sound, they’re actually a delicacy in the southern United States and elsewhere. But they’re just one part of an equally rambling spell to temporarily break the skeleton curse on Cindy. The reader suspects this, but wonders why the spell to reverse the curse is so convoluted and lengthy (it takes several days to execute), whereas the spell that enacted it took only "a bunch of words". In the end, it turns out to be unnecessary to reverse the spell anyway, something Cindy’s mother could have told her to tell her father way back on day one!
Cindy’s new existence is centered around the daily concern that at sunset she becomes a skeleton. Yet when she's told that her crush plans to ask her to the Spring Fling dance, which she knows takes place at night, many chapters, most with reflections about the upcoming dance, go by before Cindy recalls that she turns into a skeleton at night, which might cause problems at the dance. The reader thinks of it the first time the dance is mentioned; that Cindy doesn’t, too, is difficult to believe.
The illustrations by Rachael Caringella are truly wonderful, and easily the best thing about the book. Their style is classic, reminiscent of the atmospheric woodcuts found in older editions of the tales of the Brothers Grimm. Superb job!
For a better example of how to put a new twist on the Cinderella story, read Maya Gold’s outstanding Change of a Dress.
Note: If you're an author and feel obligated to review your own book, give yourself zero stars and write something that will interest the reader and draw her/him to your book. For instance, some background information about the process you went through while creating your novel, or anything that personalizes the book. A low rating isn't going to kill you; on the contrary, it's going to make people see that you're fair and open, and have integrity, and they'll expect the same from your book.
Later Note: For a perfect example of how to rate your own book, see Phoebe North's review of her novel Starglass.
December 22, 2013
Plot: Cindy is a typical junior high girl with a best friend and a crush. Until the day she is called home from school to the bedside of her dying mother. Not long after her mother passes, while alone in her room, Cindy looks down and finds that her skin is gone, along with all muscle and everything else except the bones. She is a skeleton! It seems she turns into a skeleton when night falls, but then back into herself with the dawn. Now Cindy, who dubs herself Cinderskella, must deal with her curse, getting her dad to accept her, and exploring the world--especially the cemetary!--after dark.
Things take a complicated twist when Cindy makes her way into an underworld-type plane and then her father brings home a "new mom" who has two bratty daughters of her own.
Narrator: She's spunky and headstrong, which makes fun to follow around. She has her weak, teenage-girl moments, but other times she has a lot of insight. I particularly enjoyed this aspect of the story because so many people don't think teens have much insight at all. Teenagers tend to act in their own interests, which is why people think that, but most are much deeper thinkers, with much more insight, than anyone gives them credit for, so I really loved this aspect of Cindy.
Extras: The R.I.P. characters (that's Real Incorpsified Paradise)--Bert, Mr. Death, and a mouse named Cheddar especially--were among my favorite characters. So well-written! I loved the scenes with them in them!
Illustrations: The pictures--drawn by Bethany Borst, I think--are few and far between, but they're fantastic! So much fun. I felt like they added a lot to the book. Go get a copy just so you can look at them!
Overall: I was so impressed with this story. It was simple and fun, with plenty to make me smile and a love and compassion for Cindy and her situation. Cindy has to deal with plenty of grown-up emotions, including the grief of losing her mom, lack of acceptance by family members, the worry of lack of acceptance by her friends, and prioritizing her choices. By the end, she learns a lesson that might possibly have come across as cheesy, but the mother-daughter Borst team bring it across beautifully, and if feels profound.
Such a great story! And so much fun to read. I would recommend it to any tween girl. And their mothers, of course. And anyone who loves fun, sweet, unique middle-grade stories. Right after reading Cinderskella and being so pleased with it, I heard that it is a Whitney award nominee. Congrats Amie and Bethany!
Things take a complicated twist when Cindy makes her way into an underworld-type plane and then her father brings home a "new mom" who has two bratty daughters of her own.
Narrator: She's spunky and headstrong, which makes fun to follow around. She has her weak, teenage-girl moments, but other times she has a lot of insight. I particularly enjoyed this aspect of the story because so many people don't think teens have much insight at all. Teenagers tend to act in their own interests, which is why people think that, but most are much deeper thinkers, with much more insight, than anyone gives them credit for, so I really loved this aspect of Cindy.
Extras: The R.I.P. characters (that's Real Incorpsified Paradise)--Bert, Mr. Death, and a mouse named Cheddar especially--were among my favorite characters. So well-written! I loved the scenes with them in them!
Illustrations: The pictures--drawn by Bethany Borst, I think--are few and far between, but they're fantastic! So much fun. I felt like they added a lot to the book. Go get a copy just so you can look at them!
Overall: I was so impressed with this story. It was simple and fun, with plenty to make me smile and a love and compassion for Cindy and her situation. Cindy has to deal with plenty of grown-up emotions, including the grief of losing her mom, lack of acceptance by family members, the worry of lack of acceptance by her friends, and prioritizing her choices. By the end, she learns a lesson that might possibly have come across as cheesy, but the mother-daughter Borst team bring it across beautifully, and if feels profound.
Such a great story! And so much fun to read. I would recommend it to any tween girl. And their mothers, of course. And anyone who loves fun, sweet, unique middle-grade stories. Right after reading Cinderskella and being so pleased with it, I heard that it is a Whitney award nominee. Congrats Amie and Bethany!
October 23, 2013
Okay, middle school is a difficult time of life even if you aren't grieving and you don't change into a skeleton every night. When Cindy's curse is revealed to her, as you can imagine, life takes some very unexpected turns. True to the traditional Cinderella story, this tale also features a charming young man, a missing shoe, a stepmother and stepsisters, a father who seems to be clueless, and a confusing list of chores that must be done before a girl can go to the dance.
However, Cindy discovers there are advantages to becoming a skeleton at night:
You become your own hands-on science lesson
You can visit loved ones in the Underworld
Your ribs become fascinating self-entertaining musical instruments
You don't need a Halloween costume
You can enjoy some payback and scare the living daylights out of your grumpy neighbor
All the scary movies you've ever watched come in handy
You can't blush
And...there are no bad hair days!
There are disadvantages, though, to Cindy's strange curse:
You could become a dog's midnight snack
You must obey curfews or everyone will know your secret
Loose bones can make a lot of clattering noises
Food never sticks to your ribs; eating is a messy proposition
You can't have sleepovers if you want to keep your secret
Grown-ups in your life seem to know things they won't tell you.
In Cinderskella, nobody is quite who they seem to be, including your father, neighbors, stepmother, and stepsisters. No one really explains your strange curse until the very end, when you finally put all the clues together.
Written by mother-daughter writing team of Amie and Bethanie Borst, Cinderskella is a unique and engaging middle grade read. The "time-outs" within the story give the reader an occasional reality check, and the illustrations capture Cinderskella's unusual world with humor and understanding. Can a book about a twelve year-old girl by day and skeleton by night be heartwarming? Absolutely.
The Borsts' book also offers a commentary on middle-school life as Cindy discovers some universal truths: In life, loss is inevitable, being different isn't all that bad after all . . . and growing up is painful, no matter who you are.
However, Cindy discovers there are advantages to becoming a skeleton at night:
You become your own hands-on science lesson
You can visit loved ones in the Underworld
Your ribs become fascinating self-entertaining musical instruments
You don't need a Halloween costume
You can enjoy some payback and scare the living daylights out of your grumpy neighbor
All the scary movies you've ever watched come in handy
You can't blush
And...there are no bad hair days!
There are disadvantages, though, to Cindy's strange curse:
You could become a dog's midnight snack
You must obey curfews or everyone will know your secret
Loose bones can make a lot of clattering noises
Food never sticks to your ribs; eating is a messy proposition
You can't have sleepovers if you want to keep your secret
Grown-ups in your life seem to know things they won't tell you.
In Cinderskella, nobody is quite who they seem to be, including your father, neighbors, stepmother, and stepsisters. No one really explains your strange curse until the very end, when you finally put all the clues together.
Written by mother-daughter writing team of Amie and Bethanie Borst, Cinderskella is a unique and engaging middle grade read. The "time-outs" within the story give the reader an occasional reality check, and the illustrations capture Cinderskella's unusual world with humor and understanding. Can a book about a twelve year-old girl by day and skeleton by night be heartwarming? Absolutely.
The Borsts' book also offers a commentary on middle-school life as Cindy discovers some universal truths: In life, loss is inevitable, being different isn't all that bad after all . . . and growing up is painful, no matter who you are.
October 30, 2013
Today I'm so excited to share Cinderskella with you. It's the perfect book to review today in honor of Halloween tomorrow. I do need to tell you (full disclosure and all that) that Amie is a friend of mine. I've been following her quest as an author for a while now and I'm so happy and excited that she has finally made it to the big leagues! A published book is no small feat. But, my review is in all honesty because I would never lie about a book just for my friend. :)
Cinderskella is a middle grade book. The writing is so right on the target group. I have a middle school aged child and she is going to love this book. (she had to wait for me to read it first!) This book would be fun to read aloud to younger kids too.
Here is the main thing I love about this book: It is fun. Fun, fun, fun. It is light hearted and full of witty humor. One of my favorite things in this book were the TIME OUT's. :) Those were just little side notes that Cindy would interject into the book. As with most awesome middle grade books there is also illustrations. The illustrations in this book really help create mental pictures, adding to the fun and creativity. The characters in this book just come alive.
Amie and her daughter wrote this book together which kind of makes this book unique and well, kinda cool. How fun to have a mother/daughter collaboration. I think at some future date I'm going to have to interview these girls and find out more about that process. (like maybe January...yes, okay, it's already scheduled...)
My thanks to Amie and Bethany for allowing me to read and post a review for their new book. My congratulations as well.
Cinderskella is a middle grade book. The writing is so right on the target group. I have a middle school aged child and she is going to love this book. (she had to wait for me to read it first!) This book would be fun to read aloud to younger kids too.
Here is the main thing I love about this book: It is fun. Fun, fun, fun. It is light hearted and full of witty humor. One of my favorite things in this book were the TIME OUT's. :) Those were just little side notes that Cindy would interject into the book. As with most awesome middle grade books there is also illustrations. The illustrations in this book really help create mental pictures, adding to the fun and creativity. The characters in this book just come alive.
Amie and her daughter wrote this book together which kind of makes this book unique and well, kinda cool. How fun to have a mother/daughter collaboration. I think at some future date I'm going to have to interview these girls and find out more about that process. (like maybe January...yes, okay, it's already scheduled...)
My thanks to Amie and Bethany for allowing me to read and post a review for their new book. My congratulations as well.
October 6, 2015
I originally bought this book on my kindle and gave a review on it, but what the heck-
Cinderskella is a modern retelling of the classic Cinderella story (Grimm Version), and follows Cindy's life after her mother passes away, and also when her curse activates. Like most children who might be recipients of the spell - she finds being a skeleton kinda cool, and yet frustrating. And unlike most children who might freak out about it, Cindy manages to keep her calm and cool.
I can't say anything bad about the book honestly - it was a quick, light, and entertaining read - but my problems were really only one when you think about it. What was my problem? Well, I didn't like how Cindy seemed so obsessed with the idea that her step mother/siblings were wicked - yet I knew it was understandable. After all - this IS supposed to be a retelling of Cinderella.
Over that, great book and I'll be looking forward to more in the series. Read it, and be "Cinderskelled" - see that Cinderskella joke? No - OK. I'm stopping my review now.
Cinderskella is a modern retelling of the classic Cinderella story (Grimm Version), and follows Cindy's life after her mother passes away, and also when her curse activates. Like most children who might be recipients of the spell - she finds being a skeleton kinda cool, and yet frustrating. And unlike most children who might freak out about it, Cindy manages to keep her calm and cool.
I can't say anything bad about the book honestly - it was a quick, light, and entertaining read - but my problems were really only one when you think about it. What was my problem? Well, I didn't like how Cindy seemed so obsessed with the idea that her step mother/siblings were wicked - yet I knew it was understandable. After all - this IS supposed to be a retelling of Cinderella.
Over that, great book and I'll be looking forward to more in the series. Read it, and be "Cinderskelled" - see that Cinderskella joke? No - OK. I'm stopping my review now.
December 4, 2013
I sure hope Bethanie and Amie Borst have more cute tales they're planning to write because I will be first in line to read them. This fantastic adventure is unlike any other Cinderella story I've ever read and all the little surprises throughout will keep you on your toes. The best part, of course, are the little "Time Outs" throughout the book. These read kept me giggling through Cindy's hard times with just the perfect amount of spooky for a middle grade (and me!)
The lessons it teaches about accepting ourselves in all our beautifully unique glory also won me over! I highly recommend this book for parents and children alike!
The lessons it teaches about accepting ourselves in all our beautifully unique glory also won me over! I highly recommend this book for parents and children alike!
February 22, 2014
In love!
I have always been a fan of the fairy tale, but seriously.....how many times can you read the same one? Or read an adaptation that is the same? This was a terrific take on an old tale. I loved reading it for myself and reading out out loud to my little ones. This is a great story for a young, budding, independent reader. It is creative, a little dark, very funny, full of love, and impossible to put down. What an awesome mother - daughter team. I hope this is not the last book they write for us.
I have always been a fan of the fairy tale, but seriously.....how many times can you read the same one? Or read an adaptation that is the same? This was a terrific take on an old tale. I loved reading it for myself and reading out out loud to my little ones. This is a great story for a young, budding, independent reader. It is creative, a little dark, very funny, full of love, and impossible to put down. What an awesome mother - daughter team. I hope this is not the last book they write for us.
December 19, 2013
This was such a fun read! I love the clever spin on the classic Cinderella tale. Very creative!
Cinderskella is full of great imagery, lots of witty humor, and loveable characters. You feel like you are being transported right along with Cindy through her journey of grief, to self-acceptance, and finally being able to embrace her new, less-than-typical life. I'd recommend this book, and I hope it is made into a movie!!
Cinderskella is full of great imagery, lots of witty humor, and loveable characters. You feel like you are being transported right along with Cindy through her journey of grief, to self-acceptance, and finally being able to embrace her new, less-than-typical life. I'd recommend this book, and I hope it is made into a movie!!
April 26, 2014
All it took was a trip to YA Fest and a great conversation with authors Amie and Bethanie to convince me to read CINDERSKELLA. A middle grade modern retelling of a classic fairy tale, thus book does what the original didn't. It made me laugh. The humor and teenage snark shines through, but also allows for a greater message. Be yourself, love yourself, and trust the family and friends that surround you. This is a MUST read for all middle schoolers!
November 12, 2013
Neighbor Girl read this book fairly quickly. She enjoyed the plot.
October 16, 2022
Cindy loses her mom and then finds she is cursed, so at night she turns into a Skeleton. Not only is she dealing with her skeletal problem but the boy she likes at school doesn’t notice her and now she has an evil stepmother. To break the curse put on her by her dying mother she has to go into the underworld.
A very unique and modern take on the classic Cinderella set in a modern time with a modern girl. I liked the twist with her becoming a skeleton and having to figure out why and what it all means. Trying to find out how to break the curse for good and going on a creepy underworld adventure.
I didn’t really care for most of the characters in this story I’m sad to say, they didn’t really have much personality and were a bit bland and annoying. The dad was a really bad father, he seemed to be so unfeeling towards his dying wife and his grieving daughter, I was shocked at his actions and lack of care. Even Cindy annoyed me a fair amount, she said a lot of things that just came across rude and unnecessary especially within the time out parts.
The concept of this story was incredible, and it was read like a child wrote it which is perfectly acceptable as it is a child telling the story but some parts just came across very juvenile. There were plenty of jokes and puns throughout the book, it had so many characters that you meet along the way on her journey, which unlocks a new part of her discovery. It’s a very clever idea and a story unlike any others out there for this age group.
I think this is a really great Halloween read for younger children, they will dive in and absolutely love this adventure I’m certain. It’s got creep, humour and lots of skeletal characters and many others too, plus a trip to the underworld. It’s not a story that I loved but I know that it will be enjoyed a lot by younger readers.
A very unique and modern take on the classic Cinderella set in a modern time with a modern girl. I liked the twist with her becoming a skeleton and having to figure out why and what it all means. Trying to find out how to break the curse for good and going on a creepy underworld adventure.
I didn’t really care for most of the characters in this story I’m sad to say, they didn’t really have much personality and were a bit bland and annoying. The dad was a really bad father, he seemed to be so unfeeling towards his dying wife and his grieving daughter, I was shocked at his actions and lack of care. Even Cindy annoyed me a fair amount, she said a lot of things that just came across rude and unnecessary especially within the time out parts.
The concept of this story was incredible, and it was read like a child wrote it which is perfectly acceptable as it is a child telling the story but some parts just came across very juvenile. There were plenty of jokes and puns throughout the book, it had so many characters that you meet along the way on her journey, which unlocks a new part of her discovery. It’s a very clever idea and a story unlike any others out there for this age group.
I think this is a really great Halloween read for younger children, they will dive in and absolutely love this adventure I’m certain. It’s got creep, humour and lots of skeletal characters and many others too, plus a trip to the underworld. It’s not a story that I loved but I know that it will be enjoyed a lot by younger readers.
March 14, 2017
This middle grade is a mix of what's spooky, fun, and heart-tugging. It's a unique adaptation of a fairy tale--girl turns into skeleton, hello--that's sure to please young readers. It was sitting in my Kindle for a while--although the Kindle edition link is no longer working on Amazon--but I couldn't ignore the ebook for long. Between the cover, description, and opening pages that pulled me in, I read it in two days.
October 11, 2020
Cinderskella is a delightful, fairy-tale retelling with a fun twist. Now, Cindy transforms into a skeleton every night. As if middle school wasn't tough enough!
This fun book is silly and very relatable. I highly recommend it to all young readers looking for a great chapter book to read!
Check out my full review on my blog: https://benjaminellefson.com/blog/cin...
This fun book is silly and very relatable. I highly recommend it to all young readers looking for a great chapter book to read!
Check out my full review on my blog: https://benjaminellefson.com/blog/cin...
August 18, 2018
loved it ,,so awsome,,cant wait for more,,,awesome author,,hope she writes more
March 13, 2017
Very original and cute story. I really liked all the characters especially the mouse. Cute name for the book also. Lots of wonderful pictures.............a little eerie but appropriate.
November 12, 2014
Ten Second Synopsis:
After Cindy's mother dies, Cindy discovers that she has been cursed to turn into a skeleton every night at dusk. But can Cindy turn this curse into a blessing? And how will this affect her chances with her new crush?
I have been meaning to get to this book for an absolute age - I bought it over a year ago and it's been sitting on my kindle tempting me since. Having finally made time to get into it, I have to say that I really enjoyed the story and the original take on possibly one of my least favourite fairy tales.
This book is certainly going to appeal to pre-teen girls due to the particular pre-teen voice of Cindy. If you aren't a pre-teen girl, you'll have to put up with the fact that this book has been written to appeal to that age-group, although I didn't find Cindy's narrative voice to be as obnoxious as it certainly could have been. Instead, Cindy came across as a typical tween girl who had lost her mother, was dealing with an alienating father and was just trying to figure things out while not making a fool of herself in front of her friends and the boy she likes.
The elements of the traditional Cinderella story are all there, but I was impressed with the way that Borst took her time introducing them into the narrative, and the slight twists that she managed to put on most of the familiar themes. Yes, there's a nasty step-mother and ugly step-sisters, but all is not what it seems and Cindy is slowly discovering that she may not be the only person in her neighbourhood with magical secrets.
I'd certainly recommend this to middle grade girls who are happy to move on from the princess/fairy predictable themes and try something funny, quirky and charmingly unexpected. I'll be looking out for the next in the Scarily Ever Laughter series for sure.
After Cindy's mother dies, Cindy discovers that she has been cursed to turn into a skeleton every night at dusk. But can Cindy turn this curse into a blessing? And how will this affect her chances with her new crush?
I have been meaning to get to this book for an absolute age - I bought it over a year ago and it's been sitting on my kindle tempting me since. Having finally made time to get into it, I have to say that I really enjoyed the story and the original take on possibly one of my least favourite fairy tales.
This book is certainly going to appeal to pre-teen girls due to the particular pre-teen voice of Cindy. If you aren't a pre-teen girl, you'll have to put up with the fact that this book has been written to appeal to that age-group, although I didn't find Cindy's narrative voice to be as obnoxious as it certainly could have been. Instead, Cindy came across as a typical tween girl who had lost her mother, was dealing with an alienating father and was just trying to figure things out while not making a fool of herself in front of her friends and the boy she likes.
The elements of the traditional Cinderella story are all there, but I was impressed with the way that Borst took her time introducing them into the narrative, and the slight twists that she managed to put on most of the familiar themes. Yes, there's a nasty step-mother and ugly step-sisters, but all is not what it seems and Cindy is slowly discovering that she may not be the only person in her neighbourhood with magical secrets.
I'd certainly recommend this to middle grade girls who are happy to move on from the princess/fairy predictable themes and try something funny, quirky and charmingly unexpected. I'll be looking out for the next in the Scarily Ever Laughter series for sure.
August 14, 2016
I impulse bought Cinderskella at a book signing this weekend. I very rarely read middle grade books but I fell in instalove with the title, the cover, the sketches scattered throughout the book, and the very creative spin on the Cinderella tale! And really, they would have had me at “Human by day and skeleton by night” alone. I also thought it was great that the writing team was a mother and her 13 year old daughter! Kudos to you, Bethany, for being published at 13!
I briefly considered rating this book 4 stars because it’s a darker subject than I was expecting but then I realized that I shouldn’t have been so surprised because it is a fairy tale retelling and fairy tales are kind of dark. The characters are relatable and I really felt for Cindy aka Cinderskella as she went through the different experiences! Cinderskella was a little heavier but the characters and the refreshing doses of humor mixed throughout helped to balance it out. The last third of the book also made me love it all the more and by the end I was fully won over and wanting more!
I will happily buy other books as this mother and daughter duo write them which I’m thrilled to say will be sooner rather than later. I stumbled on this beauty while hunting links for my post.
You can find this review and more on my blog at http://LRAtRandom.blogspot.com/
I briefly considered rating this book 4 stars because it’s a darker subject than I was expecting but then I realized that I shouldn’t have been so surprised because it is a fairy tale retelling and fairy tales are kind of dark. The characters are relatable and I really felt for Cindy aka Cinderskella as she went through the different experiences! Cinderskella was a little heavier but the characters and the refreshing doses of humor mixed throughout helped to balance it out. The last third of the book also made me love it all the more and by the end I was fully won over and wanting more!
I will happily buy other books as this mother and daughter duo write them which I’m thrilled to say will be sooner rather than later. I stumbled on this beauty while hunting links for my post.
You can find this review and more on my blog at http://LRAtRandom.blogspot.com/
November 24, 2014
Middle-Graders will love this spooky tale of Ella as she copes with the lose of her mom (while dealing with a curse which turns her into a living skeleton each night.) Though this is a good halloween read; but, its relatable characters make it a year-round story to enjoy. Overall 3/5 stars; don't forget to pick up its companion novel Little Dead Riding Hood!
January 6, 2014
A twisted fairy tale for our day.
I'm not a huge fan of young reader books, but this one held a great deal of imagination as well as humor.
I'm not a huge fan of young reader books, but this one held a great deal of imagination as well as humor.
January 7, 2014
This book needed more revisions. Character development was lacking. The time outs in the story were distracting and the pacing needs help. It could be an interesting story but it still needs work.
October 9, 2016
full review soon
March 12, 2023
I remember reading this in the 4th grade. I don't know how I would want to rate it now, but back I would've rated it 4 stars
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