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Whatever After #2
If the Shoe Fits
This second book in Sarah Mlynowski's charming new series puts a fresh spin on the Cinderella story!
Once upon a time my brother and I found a magic mirror.
Tonight the mirror swept us into Cinderella's fairy tale. Now, we are NOT messing this story up. No way. Cinderella is going to marry her prince just like she's supposed to.
Uh-oh.
Cinderella broke her foot and there's massive swelling. The glass slipper won't fit, the prince won't know she's the one for him, and they won't live happily ever after. And it's all our fault!
To save the day we'll need to:
1. Learn how to use a dustpan
2. Stay out of jail
3. Find Cinderella a job
4. And make sure true love finds its way.
We just have to get it all done before the clock strikes twelve and the chance for a happy ending is gone . . . forever!
Once upon a time my brother and I found a magic mirror.
Tonight the mirror swept us into Cinderella's fairy tale. Now, we are NOT messing this story up. No way. Cinderella is going to marry her prince just like she's supposed to.
Uh-oh.
Cinderella broke her foot and there's massive swelling. The glass slipper won't fit, the prince won't know she's the one for him, and they won't live happily ever after. And it's all our fault!
To save the day we'll need to:
1. Learn how to use a dustpan
2. Stay out of jail
3. Find Cinderella a job
4. And make sure true love finds its way.
We just have to get it all done before the clock strikes twelve and the chance for a happy ending is gone . . . forever!
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2012
378 people are currently reading
2638 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Mlynowski
163 books3,354 followersSarah was born in Montreal, Canada. After graduating with an honors degree in English literature from McGill University, she moved to Toronto to work for Harlequin Enterprises. While she never met Fabio, she used her romance publishing experiences to fuel her first novel Milkrun.
Since then, Sarah has written four additional novels for adults: Fishbowl, As Seen on TV, Monkey Business, and Me vs. Me; the New York Times bestselling middle grade series Whatever After; the middle grade series Upside-Down Magic (with Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins); and the teen novels Bras & Broomsticks, Frogs & French Kisses, Spells & Sleeping Bags, and Parties & Potions (all in the Magic in Manhattan series), as well as Gimme a Call, Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have), Don't Even Think About It, Think Twice, and I See London, I See France. Along with Lauren Myracle and E. Lockhart, Sarah also wrote How to Be Bad, and along with Farrin Jacobs, she wrote See Jane Write, a guide to writing. Sarah also co-edited two bestselling charity collections (Girls' Night In and Girls' Night Out), and has contributed to various anthologies (American Girls About Town, Sixteen: Stories About That Sweet and Bitter Birthday, 21 Proms, First Kiss (Then Tell), Fireworks, and Vacations from Hell).
Sarah is also a co-founder of OMG BookFest, a celebration of books aimed at the early to middle grade reader (ages 7-12) that brings together commercial and award-winning authors with underserved local communities for an exciting experience of books, games and activities.
Sarah's books have been translated into twenty-nine languages and optioned to Hollywood. She now lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.
Since then, Sarah has written four additional novels for adults: Fishbowl, As Seen on TV, Monkey Business, and Me vs. Me; the New York Times bestselling middle grade series Whatever After; the middle grade series Upside-Down Magic (with Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins); and the teen novels Bras & Broomsticks, Frogs & French Kisses, Spells & Sleeping Bags, and Parties & Potions (all in the Magic in Manhattan series), as well as Gimme a Call, Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have), Don't Even Think About It, Think Twice, and I See London, I See France. Along with Lauren Myracle and E. Lockhart, Sarah also wrote How to Be Bad, and along with Farrin Jacobs, she wrote See Jane Write, a guide to writing. Sarah also co-edited two bestselling charity collections (Girls' Night In and Girls' Night Out), and has contributed to various anthologies (American Girls About Town, Sixteen: Stories About That Sweet and Bitter Birthday, 21 Proms, First Kiss (Then Tell), Fireworks, and Vacations from Hell).
Sarah is also a co-founder of OMG BookFest, a celebration of books aimed at the early to middle grade reader (ages 7-12) that brings together commercial and award-winning authors with underserved local communities for an exciting experience of books, games and activities.
Sarah's books have been translated into twenty-nine languages and optioned to Hollywood. She now lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 387 reviews
February 11, 2023
Die 10-jährige Abby und ihr 7 Jahre alter Bruder Jonah gelangen durch einen verzauberten Spiegel in Aschenputtels Märchenwelt. Dort geschieht ein Missgeschick: Aschenputtels gläserner Schuh zerbricht. Wird ihr Märchenprinz sie trotzdem finden? So einfach scheint es nicht zu sein, denn Aschenputtels gute Fee hat auch noch eine Aufgabe für Aschenputtel, und Abby und Jonah möchten ihr helfen, diese Aufgabe zu erfüllen...
💙
Mein Leseeindruck:
Das Buch ist ein schönes Kinderbuch für junge Mädchen ab 10 Jahren. Die Geschichte ist an das Märchen vom "Aschenputtel" angelehnt, aber es gibt schon durchaus große Unterschiede zum Original. Die Idee zu dieser Geschichte hat mir sehr gefallen, aber ich würde empfehlen, zuerst "Abby und Schneewittchen in Gefahr" zu lesen. Das ist der erste Band der Reihe.
Der Schreibstil ist sehr einfach und kindgerecht. Die Kapitel sind lesefreundlich kurz gehalten. Das Buch eignet sich sowohl zum Vorlesen als auch zum Selberlesen.
Jungen Leserinnen, die Märchen mögen, kann ich das Buch auf jeden Fall empfehlen!
💙
Mein Leseeindruck:
Das Buch ist ein schönes Kinderbuch für junge Mädchen ab 10 Jahren. Die Geschichte ist an das Märchen vom "Aschenputtel" angelehnt, aber es gibt schon durchaus große Unterschiede zum Original. Die Idee zu dieser Geschichte hat mir sehr gefallen, aber ich würde empfehlen, zuerst "Abby und Schneewittchen in Gefahr" zu lesen. Das ist der erste Band der Reihe.
Der Schreibstil ist sehr einfach und kindgerecht. Die Kapitel sind lesefreundlich kurz gehalten. Das Buch eignet sich sowohl zum Vorlesen als auch zum Selberlesen.
Jungen Leserinnen, die Märchen mögen, kann ich das Buch auf jeden Fall empfehlen!
April 6, 2022
can't believe im writing a review for this but my respect for the fairy godmother turning cinderella into a girlboss>>>
December 8, 2019
The ending wasthe part that make it five star book for me ... So unique on its own way and I loved it ... So refreshing from all the fairy tail retailing I have read before ..... Heartwarming and sweet story... Proven that you don't need. Fairy godmother to fulfill your own dreams
October 10, 2023
quite honestly the rating is more like two and a half stars but three is close enough. and yes i'm going to do a serious review about a children's book, sue me (actually please don't mrs. mlynowski, these books are good i swear)
the only reason the rating was bumped down a little bit was because of how cinderella was portrayed in the middle of the book. the fairy god-mother claimed that she did not know if cinderella was "self-reliant" or "self-sufficient" enough for the prince when she clearly was, given the fact that even though she was being mistreated she still was alive. it honestly felt like a slap in the face reading it, cinderella is one of the most hard-working, selfless fairy-tale leads out there, and claiming that specific character was not is just weird.
the ending with the prince, kayla, and cinderella was alright. i do understand it was in graceful spirits and it was truly cinderella-esque but hinting at cinderella the goatee man is a no-thanks from me. regardless, i did have fun reading this specific book and it gave me a hefty amount of nostalgia from when i was first starting to actually read chapter books (and loving them).
the only reason the rating was bumped down a little bit was because of how cinderella was portrayed in the middle of the book. the fairy god-mother claimed that she did not know if cinderella was "self-reliant" or "self-sufficient" enough for the prince when she clearly was, given the fact that even though she was being mistreated she still was alive. it honestly felt like a slap in the face reading it, cinderella is one of the most hard-working, selfless fairy-tale leads out there, and claiming that specific character was not is just weird.
the ending with the prince, kayla, and cinderella was alright. i do understand it was in graceful spirits and it was truly cinderella-esque but hinting at cinderella the goatee man is a no-thanks from me. regardless, i did have fun reading this specific book and it gave me a hefty amount of nostalgia from when i was first starting to actually read chapter books (and loving them).
July 1, 2025
2.5/5
Re read
Okay so not sure why I found this to be super annoying but I did. Was not amused and I didn’t like this take on Cinderella personally…..that’s not my girl I’m afraid
Re read
Okay so not sure why I found this to be super annoying but I did. Was not amused and I didn’t like this take on Cinderella personally…..that’s not my girl I’m afraid
November 21, 2019
This series is simply outstanding. Familiar fairy tales are retold with unexpected plot twists. Sometimes the story as we know it is inadvertently altered by Abby and Josh, our Smithville dwelling friends who enter the land of the story through the magic mirror in their basement. There are unexpected bursts of humor and plays on words. In Cinderella's world of Floom the refer to public carriages as parriages. There are no brownies in Floom, so Cinderella begins selling crownies thanks to the help given by Abby and Josh. Another wonderful plot choice in this series is the opportunities Abby and Josh have to make things right after mistakes are made. Our beloved fairy tales remain in high esteem, they just get a bit of a makeover and we all learn about ourselves and our fellow man at the same time.
March 21, 2013
Grace and I are reading this book together. She picked it out at her school's book fair this spring and it's the first chapter book we've read (she's 4 for anyone who doesn't know). We started out reading just one chapter a night, but now we're reading two because we can't wait to find out what happens next. The story is absolutely adorable and a twist on Cinderella - in this version Cinderella has to "save herself." Reading this book with Grace has given us something special to share along with a ton of conversations. She cannot wait to get in the bed at night because she cannot wait to find out what happens next. On the way to school in the morning and during her bath at night, she and I talk about what happened in the book last night and what we think is going to happen next. I am so glad I let her buy this book - I think I'm having more fun than she is! :)
May 13, 2013
For Grades 3 and up, Age 8 and up, Whatever After book 2
Review:
Once upon a time Abby and her brother Johan found a magic mirror. That was when they were sucked into Snow White’s story and almost ruined it, but tonight the mirror swept them into Cinderella's fairy tale. This time they want to do things the right way and just watch to find the way home. That was until Cinderella broke her foot and there's massive swelling. The glass slipper won't fit, the prince won't know she's the one for him, and they won't live happily ever after. And it's all their fault! Now they have to figure out a way to help Cinderella, get the slipper to fit, and have a happy ending, which for them is getting home.
Cute story for kids who love fairy tales and always wondered what would happen if something went wrong in the story.
Review:
Once upon a time Abby and her brother Johan found a magic mirror. That was when they were sucked into Snow White’s story and almost ruined it, but tonight the mirror swept them into Cinderella's fairy tale. This time they want to do things the right way and just watch to find the way home. That was until Cinderella broke her foot and there's massive swelling. The glass slipper won't fit, the prince won't know she's the one for him, and they won't live happily ever after. And it's all their fault! Now they have to figure out a way to help Cinderella, get the slipper to fit, and have a happy ending, which for them is getting home.
Cute story for kids who love fairy tales and always wondered what would happen if something went wrong in the story.
December 23, 2022
3 Stars ✨
Another fun spin on a classic fairytale. This is such a cute series. If the Shoe Fits was the retelling of Cinderella with a different twist. I listened to the audiobook with my daughter and she really liked it, but I personally enjoyed the first one better than this one - but still an enjoyable read along with my gal 💞still highly recommend this series so far to all ages.
Another fun spin on a classic fairytale. This is such a cute series. If the Shoe Fits was the retelling of Cinderella with a different twist. I listened to the audiobook with my daughter and she really liked it, but I personally enjoyed the first one better than this one - but still an enjoyable read along with my gal 💞still highly recommend this series so far to all ages.
February 22, 2023
Re-reading this series with my daughter.
Loved that the fairy godmother wouldn't allow cinderella to be rescued by the prince but instead had to learn self-reliance and her new happily ever after is spelled CEO. Super cute
Loved that the fairy godmother wouldn't allow cinderella to be rescued by the prince but instead had to learn self-reliance and her new happily ever after is spelled CEO. Super cute
March 10, 2025
Sogar besser als der erste Teil 🙂↕️ hab jetzt mega Appetit auf Brownies 🥲
February 20, 2022
About 6 years ago I read a few of these stories with my oldest. Now my youngest is reading them to me, and he sister has handed down the first several stories in the series. For some reason when we read this in 2016 we never got around to writing a review for it. But my youngest insists we review everything we read, so this review from 2022 is part of that effort. Between reading with my oldest and youngest this is the ninth time I have read a book in this series. The stories have great staying power. Even as an adult I can enjoy these books, not only the first time but rereading them again and again.
Mlynowski does an excellent job with this book and the series. My oldest was a reluctant reader. Back then when we read, I would read two pages for every page she read to me. Later she a few of the books in the series to her aunt and gram on a road trip. The whole family loves these stories from 8-year old’s to 79 year old’s. It is a wonderful series.
Both my daughters and I give this story a solid 4/5 stars. We enoy the twists on the old tale. We appreciated that Abby learned a lesson about judging and realizes than many of her first assumptions were wrong. My daughters realized that things are not as they appear. We need to figure out why people are doing what they are doing. Especially if it seems weird, rude or strange. And to make sure that our own reactions are not worse than what is being done to us.
The story is another excellent take on a familiar tale. They loved that Cinderlla needs to learn to stand on her own two feet. She needs to help helself before she gets help again from Faith God Mother.
The writings in these stories is excellent. My daughters and I love reading them together. And the retelling of this story is full of surprises. It is an great book in an excellent series.
Mlynowski does an excellent job with this book and the series. My oldest was a reluctant reader. Back then when we read, I would read two pages for every page she read to me. Later she a few of the books in the series to her aunt and gram on a road trip. The whole family loves these stories from 8-year old’s to 79 year old’s. It is a wonderful series.
Both my daughters and I give this story a solid 4/5 stars. We enoy the twists on the old tale. We appreciated that Abby learned a lesson about judging and realizes than many of her first assumptions were wrong. My daughters realized that things are not as they appear. We need to figure out why people are doing what they are doing. Especially if it seems weird, rude or strange. And to make sure that our own reactions are not worse than what is being done to us.
The story is another excellent take on a familiar tale. They loved that Cinderlla needs to learn to stand on her own two feet. She needs to help helself before she gets help again from Faith God Mother.
The writings in these stories is excellent. My daughters and I love reading them together. And the retelling of this story is full of surprises. It is an great book in an excellent series.
December 4, 2014
This book is about Abby and her little brother Jonah going into fairy tales and changing them. In this one they go into Cinderella's fairy tale and change hers. Cinderella is in her room looking at the glass slipper for the ball and Abby and Jonah come in and Cinderella drops the slipper one her foot. Her foot gets really big and she can't really walk. So, now Abby and Jonah have to find a way to fix her foot before the prince shows up. They call Cinderella's fairy godmother and ask her to fix her foot. But her fairy godmother says that she has to prove that she can stand on her own two feet first and then she with fix her foot. So, Abby, Cinderella, and Jonah come up with brownies, but they don't have brownies there, so instead they call they crownies. They get some money and prove that she can stand on her own two feet. Cinderella's godmother fixes her foot, but just has she finished Cinderella's step mother came in and then there was a knock on the door. If you want to find out what happens then you should read the book.
I think that the first few chapters were good, but I didn't really like the ended. In the end Cinderella doesn't get what she is suppose to. I think that this is a great book for people who like princesses and people who like surprises.
I think that the first few chapters were good, but I didn't really like the ended. In the end Cinderella doesn't get what she is suppose to. I think that this is a great book for people who like princesses and people who like surprises.
June 3, 2023
Jonah and Abby are now in Cinderella and in a total mess even more with a major To-Do List of how to help Cinderella find something she likes to do and find a job, stay out of jail, and find a way home on top of that. This was another homerun and so cute! So excited now to read/listen to the rest of this series when I get a chance!
Also if you're a mom looking for good books for your kids, these are so it! They're great fun twists on these fairytales and have humor that even boys would like (coming from Jonah) and the personalities with how adventurous some boys are and serious some girls are, Abby and Jonah are so relatable and a cute brother/sister duo. I'm not even married, not dating, nor do I have any kids and yet I'd totally have this series and read these to my future kids someday.
May 14, 2025
این یکی هم خوب بود
اتمام
۲۵/اردیبهشت/۰۴
پنجشنبه
02:30
اتمام
۲۵/اردیبهشت/۰۴
پنجشنبه
02:30
September 17, 2023
My Physical TBR Book #31
TBR Cards #8: Cover contains the color pink
I am loving the alternative endings!
TBR Cards #8: Cover contains the color pink
I am loving the alternative endings!
December 12, 2012
In this adorable middle reader adventure, Jonah and Abby are sucked through their magic mirror into Cinderella's story. Abby is determined to not mess anything up thi time, but despite her best intentions, things go awry. Even as an adult, I love this series. The main characters are like real kids, but they get to jump into some of the world's best-loved children's stories and make them their own. I wish these had been around when I was a little girl. This book is for any child who likes change-ups on traditional fairy tales, like The Stinky Cheese Man or The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.
February 13, 2013
I liked the first book in this series, and I liked the second one even more! Abby and Jonah are back and quirkier than ever. I love Abby's enthusiasm and the way she frets over everything. Jonah is just plain funny. He loves to eat the most disgusting things, and always with ketchup!
I like the new twist to the story. Usually, when I read a retelling of a fairy tale, the author follows the original version fairly closely, but I enjoy the various off-roading trips this story takes. You never know where it is going to take you next. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
More reviews on my blog: Books for Kids
I like the new twist to the story. Usually, when I read a retelling of a fairy tale, the author follows the original version fairly closely, but I enjoy the various off-roading trips this story takes. You never know where it is going to take you next. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
More reviews on my blog: Books for Kids
October 6, 2018
Sooooo nice
November 17, 2025
I have so much love for this series you guys will never understand
June 5, 2019
I really don't care for this series so far, but my five year old loves them. The four star is for her. A great book for kids who can read it to themselves 😄
March 22, 2021
Very cute book!
August 12, 2025
Not the best Cinderella book I've read.
Other than that, it was good overall. Not a book I would want to read again though. It had good writing for the most part, but it had too many modern terms, and Cinderella spoke like Abby and her brother, not the way they spoke during that time. :/ I mean seriously. Also Cinderella had this attitude that is definitely not in any other retelling I have read and not in the original story. I think I would even prefer the Disney movies to this.
Other than that, it was good overall. Not a book I would want to read again though. It had good writing for the most part, but it had too many modern terms, and Cinderella spoke like Abby and her brother, not the way they spoke during that time. :/ I mean seriously. Also Cinderella had this attitude that is definitely not in any other retelling I have read and not in the original story. I think I would even prefer the Disney movies to this.
February 27, 2017
I really like this book and I really want to read the other books. I have no idea how many there are but I do not care I will read them all anyway. I thought that the story was going to end just like the original Cinderella that she was going to marry the prince but no the stepsister did which is nice. I think Cinderella will marry Gary instead which would be nice.
October 23, 2017
Whatever After if the Shoe Fits by Sarah Mlynowski is the second book in a series. In this story, Abby and Jonah want to go back to Snow White’s story, but they somehow end up in Cinderella’s story! How will they get back this time? They can’t find a mirror and Cinderella’s foot is broken, so Abby and Jonah have to help Cinderella with her chores but they also have to prove that Cinderella can do things on her own so that Cinderella’s fairy godmother will heal her foot. I recommend this book to kids ages 9-12 who like fairy tales and adventures. I would also rate this book 5 stars because it is a fun and exciting story to read.
December 27, 2020
- This is fun and cute! I'm really enjoying these books.
- I love the twist on Cinderella. The crownies were really clever.
- For some reason, I was expecting these two kids to meet up with classic fairy tale, but Cinderella's story is quite different.
- I always like it when one of the step sisters is nice.
- I can't wait to read this to my daughter. She'll love it.
- I love the little message of this book. Kindness and self reliance are always good things to talk about.
- I really like how these stories are told from the girl's perspective. I love her thoughts/voice. It is quirky and fun.
- I love the twist on Cinderella. The crownies were really clever.
- For some reason, I was expecting these two kids to meet up with classic fairy tale, but Cinderella's story is quite different.
- I always like it when one of the step sisters is nice.
- I can't wait to read this to my daughter. She'll love it.
- I love the little message of this book. Kindness and self reliance are always good things to talk about.
- I really like how these stories are told from the girl's perspective. I love her thoughts/voice. It is quirky and fun.
February 3, 2017
"If the Shoe Fits" by Sarah Mlynowski is a story of fairy tale and adventure. Once they move to a new town Abby and Jonah find out that in the basement there is a mirror but it is not an ordinary mirror. This mirror takes them to fairy tales. This time it is Cinderella's story. They try their best to keep the story going with the flow. Will it still be the same or will it change. Read to find out. I loved this book. I've always been a fan of fairy tales so I liked it. Imagining me going to a fairy tale is a dream. This story is so fun and I think it deserves 4 stars. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fairy tales and adventure. This would be a good book for them.
October 15, 2013
“If the Shoe Fits” is the second in the Whatever After series which follows Abby and her younger brother, Jonah as they are transported to the world of Cinderella and once again seriously interfer with the fairy tale. This time Cinderella hurts her foot and it swells so much that the glass slipper will not fit. The fairy Godmother refuses to help out until Cinderella can prove that she can take care of herself and become an independent woman. Abby and Jonah try to get the story back on track with predictable results, but the twist is fun and sure to entertain the intended audience.
October 1, 2012
a very fun story. For any girl who's ever dreamed of being able to join the world of Fairy tales - this is the book for you!
I loved the adventure in the story but also the struggle between the siblings as they stumbled their way on Cinderella's adventure!
I loved the adventure in the story but also the struggle between the siblings as they stumbled their way on Cinderella's adventure!
December 5, 2016
This was really good. I'm loving the twists that are occurring and that these fairy tales are never what you expect. Cinderella definitely was a little more sassy than we usually expect and she definitely learned a lot in the end. I definitely will continue with the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 387 reviews