From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
No group discussions for this book yet.
What Members Thought
Yet another Cinderella story.
Lucinda Chapdelaine is orphaned after an unfortunate chariot accident. Rather than the luxurious estate she had in her small childhood Lucinda is instead forced to spend the rest of her youth with a cranky, greedy Aunt. Still more misfortune awaits her and she is forced to be brave as the true villain of the story comes after her.
Berry has managed to add a new twist in the age old fable along with a bit of prince and the pauper and science fiction to make the tale ...more
Lucinda Chapdelaine is orphaned after an unfortunate chariot accident. Rather than the luxurious estate she had in her small childhood Lucinda is instead forced to spend the rest of her youth with a cranky, greedy Aunt. Still more misfortune awaits her and she is forced to be brave as the true villain of the story comes after her.
Berry has managed to add a new twist in the age old fable along with a bit of prince and the pauper and science fiction to make the tale ...more
What a fun, quick read. While not explicitly based on any fairy tale, it has that feel, and I would recommend it to fans of Ella Enchanted and Shannon Hale. Although the heroine is fifteen, the story is fairly simple and sweet in a way that makes it appropriate for younger readers, but would also give it appeal to teen girls looking for a fun rags-to-riches fantasy. I had wondered, ordering it, if it would be age appropriate for my 4th-8th grade collection, and it seems like a perfect fit. I hav
...more
Julie Berry is a good friend of my brother's and sister in law and whom I've been trying to meet for several years. Crazy as that sounds, we finally did meet at her book launch in Maynard, and his is her debut novel. When my husband saw an article about her in the Globe, he figured he better start writing a check to Vermont College (!) knowing I'd be applying soon. That said, this was a fun fairy tale that reminded me much of Ella Enchanted in tone and genre. It had many twists and turns and eac
...more
Once upon a time...
Lucinda had a wonderful life; parents who adored her, wealth, privilege, all the fine things of which a girl dreams.
Now...
That's all gone - Lucinda's parents are dead and she lives working as an unpaid drudge for her kind, goldsmith uncle and the mean greedy wife he doesn't dare to defy. Then things get worse than Lucinda could have ever imagined - following the death of her uncle, Lucinda's aunt accuses her of the theft of a precious stone left in the shop by Beryl, the Amara ...more
Lucinda had a wonderful life; parents who adored her, wealth, privilege, all the fine things of which a girl dreams.
Now...
That's all gone - Lucinda's parents are dead and she lives working as an unpaid drudge for her kind, goldsmith uncle and the mean greedy wife he doesn't dare to defy. Then things get worse than Lucinda could have ever imagined - following the death of her uncle, Lucinda's aunt accuses her of the theft of a precious stone left in the shop by Beryl, the Amara ...more
I would have given this five stars except the book lacked a very important element for me. I will not say what it is unless asked directly because it would be a it of a spoiler. However, I did thoroughly love this story, and send kudos to the author who is making her (very successful) debut into YA fiction. I loved, the spunky heroine, the well-developed story, and the writing style in general. I particularly enjoyed Peter, although I felt the prince could have been fleshed out just a bit more.
...more
Rather mundane fantasy with predictable twists and turns. This novel doesn't add much to the genre in my opinion but I think it will still be a solid recommendation for tweens who are looking for light romance with a little bit of fairytale fantasy thrown in for good measure.
...more
Once I picked up this book I could not put it down...it did take me three days to finish but that was because I had to find time to read it.
Lucinda was orphaned at the age of five, her parents were murdered and she was sent to live with her uncle and aunt. At the age of fifteen she was a beautiful, witty and smart young woman. Her life changed when a gentle woman of some fortune, entered the jewelry shop. The same day, yet another visitor entered her life...one she had mixed feelings for. The t ...more
Lucinda was orphaned at the age of five, her parents were murdered and she was sent to live with her uncle and aunt. At the age of fifteen she was a beautiful, witty and smart young woman. Her life changed when a gentle woman of some fortune, entered the jewelry shop. The same day, yet another visitor entered her life...one she had mixed feelings for. The t ...more
I wonder if the narration of the audiobook affected my enjoyment (or total lack) of the story. The narrator was incredibly annoying and irritating to listen to.
Lots of fun with some very clever Cinderella touches. Definitely for those who like Ella Enchanted and similar literary fair tales.
Fun story but I wanted more. The characters were not developed enough for me- especially the "witch".
...more
Very exciting, great characters. The ending is a little rushed. Great to pair with retold fairy tales.
Dec 27, 2008
Holly
marked it as new-2009
March 3, 2009
Jul 07, 2009
Kathryn
marked it as to-read
Dec 16, 2009
Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)
marked it as to-read
Jan 18, 2010
Maggi Rohde
marked it as to-read
Sep 07, 2010
Karyn The Pirate
marked it as to-read
Apr 18, 2013
Celeste
marked it as to-read
Mar 17, 2014
Jennifer
marked it as to-read
Feb 03, 2020
Brandi
marked it as to-read
