Cinder & Glass
Cinder & Glass Series
on Goodreads (3,380)
What’s inside...
For this princess, winning the crown is no fairytale. 1682. The king sends out an invitation to all the maidens in France: their presence is requested at a number of balls and events that will be held in honor of the dashing Prince Louis, who must choose a bride. Cendrillon de Louvois, once the darling child of the king's favorite adviser, has become a servant to her stepmother and stepsisters after her father's death. Despite this, Cendrillon, now called Cinder, manages to attend the ball and catches the eye of Prince Louis and his brother Auguste. Although she feels a connection with Auguste, Cinder must compete for Prince Louis' hand to escape her stepmother. As she grows closer to Auguste and dislikes the prince more, she faces a tough decision about her future and love. Melissa de la Cruz delivers a lush, romantic retelling of this fairy tale classic.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-17
Length
336 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you think about the challenges Cendrillon faced? How would you handle similar situations?
How do the characters in the story show courage or kindness?
Why is it important to be true to yourself, as Cendrillon was in the story?
What did you think about the relationship between Cendrillon and her family?
What lessons can we learn about fairness and justice from the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story, relating it to their own experiences.
Discuss the historical setting of the book and how it influences the characters' actions and choices.
Ask your child to consider what they would do differently if they were in Cendrillon’s shoes.
Encourage your child to draw parallels between the challenges faced by characters and real-life scenarios.
Use the themes of the book to instill values such as resilience, honesty, and empathy.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in adversity
Explanation: The protagonist faces numerous challenges but consistently finds strength and courage to persevere and succeed.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of standing strong despite difficulties, fostering resilience that aids in overcoming real-life challenges.
Example Lesson: Importance of kindness
Explanation: Characters in the story often benefit from acts of kindness, which lead to positive outcomes and strengthened relationships.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to practice kindness in their daily interactions, promoting a more empathetic and cooperative environment at school and at home.
Example Lesson: Judgment based on character, not appearance
Explanation: The narrative conveys that true worth is measured by one's actions and heart, not by outward appearances.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to value and respect others based on their behavior and moral choices rather than judging based on looks.
Example Lesson: Value of determination
Explanation: Characters achieve their goals through determination and hard work, emphasizing that success often requires persistence.
Real-World Application: Motivates children to be diligent and persistent in their studies and personal goals, understanding that effort leads to achievement.
Example Lesson: Importance of self-belief
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters who believe in themselves tend to overcome obstacles more effectively.
Real-World Application: Helps children build self-confidence, teaching them the power of self-belief in achieving personal goals and facing life's challenges.