Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, May 1, 2006 (Vol. 74, No. 9))
A fun modern spin on Cinderella, told by a sassy narrator, that delivers an insider's scoop on this familiar tale. Beyond modern-day touches, like mascara and foot-reduction surgery, this retelling departs from the traditional tale by sparing Cinderella's father and by providing an intimate window into Cinderella's thoughts, which is partially achieved through her letters to her deceased mother. Besides reporting on her evil stepsisters, Cinderella's letters, written in loopy teenage penmanship, also expose her raw grief and briefly explore her feelings for the prince. These candid glimpses and Cinderella's thoughts provide a fresh version of Cinderella to which readers can relate on a realistic level. The witty text pairs effectively with numerous black-and-white paper-over-board illustrations, which are laid out in a way that divides the text into manageable chunks, making this tale suitable for reluctant readers ready for a more mature, spunky and updated Cinderella. (afterword) 2006, Schwartz & Wade/Random, 128p, $12.95. Category: Fiction. Ages 8 to 10. © 2006 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Anne Hanson (Library Media Connection, October 2006)
This is a light retelling of the Cinderella story. Characters are not fully developed, but the plot moves quickly and the narrator uses contemporary, descriptive language to make it fun. Through letters to her dead mother, the reader can see why Cinderella allows herself to become a servant in her father's home, and later how she views her life and makes her decisions. When she ultimately marries the prince, they discover they are very different. He writes poetry, and Queen Cinderella becomes a peacemaking diplomat and a powerful environmentalist. As a huge fan of the story, I enjoyed this version, but its appeal would be limited. Additional Selection. 2006, Schwartz & Wade Books (Random House), 128pp., $12.95 hc. Ages 8 up.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Fall 2006)
Cinderella was about your age when this whole thing started, a really nice girl. I'm sure the two of you would have liked each other." Illustrated with striking silhouettes, this colloquial, novella-length retelling adheres to the familiar outline of the tale while adding a few wry twists, such as the prince assuming Cinderella is "well-to-do" and lives in a gated community. Category: Intermediate Fiction. 2006, Random/Schwartz & Wade, 115pp, 12.95, 14.99. Ages 9 to 12. Rating: 3: Recommended, satisfactory in style, content, and/or illustration.

Christy Chester (The Lorgnette-Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 19, No. 4))
This Cinderella story is very similar to the original version, but it is set in modern times. Cinderella’s mother has died, and her father has remarried. Cinderella now has a mean stepmother and two mean stepsisters. They all treat Cinderella badly. There is also a ball at a palace (which seemed less modernized compared to the rest of the story). The main difference in this story is that Cinderella writes letters to her mother (in Heaven) almost every day. She tells her mother what her life is like now. There is also a prince (who also seemed out of place) and a lost shoe. In the end, Cinderella marries the prince. She becomes a very strong woman who no longer lets anyone push her around or tell her what to do. Anyone who likes the story of the original Cinderella will enjoy this book. Third-or fourth-grade girls will probably enjoy it the most. It is very easy and fast to read. I was hoping that there would be some sort of “twist” on the story, but there really was not. Fiction. Grades 3-4. 2006, Schwartz & Wade Books, 105p., $12.95.