Justine's Thoughts: If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince? by Melissa Kantor

If I have a Wicked Stepmother, Where’s My Prince?
By Melissa Kantor

Pages:

283

Book Description:

When high school sophomore Lucy Norton’s father remarries, Lucy’s life is turned upside down. She and her father move from their West Coast home to a suburb on Long Island. With a small bedroom in the unfinished basement, unlimited chores, a blank social calendar, and a huge crush on the dashing prince of the varsity basketball team, Lucy’s life has the makings of a Cinderella story -- complete with two bratty stepsisters and a wicked stepmother. So isn’t she supposed to get the prince? And go to the senior prom?

A quote:

When was the last time anyone had wanted me to tell her anything, much less everything? Their curiosity was the warmth of the sun after a swim in the frigid ocean.

Any thoughts:

• Lucy and Cinderella clearly have many things in common, but there are also many differences, which become so important later on in the story, especially when huge twists come up (though I kind of saw them coming).

• I have never actually read a retelling of a fairytale before. And with this one being the first, I’ll have to say that I’ve got to read more! It seems like I’ve been missing out!

• I love Lucy and how she develops the ability to stand up for herself. Her relationship with her dad and her stepmother has been rough ever since they got married, however Lucy comes to realize that how they treat her isn’t right, and I adore her for finally learning her lesson.

• Melissa Kantor brings the story of Cinderella into the real world, where challenges (such as “Prince Charming” and her stepmother & stepsisters) are encountered. It’s only up to Lucy to overcome them and understand that not everything according to the Cinderella story is supposed to happen.