Cinder-Elly: Level E (Into English)
not part of a series
What’s inside...
Cinder-Elly: Level E (Into English) by Frances Minters is a modern retelling of the classic Cinderella fairy tale, set in a contemporary city environment. This version introduces Elly, a basketball-loving girl with two lazy sisters and an overbearing stepmother. The tale swaps the royal ball for a basketball game, and a prince for a basketball star who admires Elly's skills. With the help of her Fairy Godmother, who gifts her special sneakers, Elly attends the game and shines on the court but must leave in haste as her magical outfit's time runs out. The basketball star seeks out the mystery girl, ultimately recognizing Elly's worth beyond her household duties and celebrating her passion for basketball.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
30 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Cinder-Elly
Prince
Stepsister 2
Stepsister 1
Discussion points
How do you think Cinder-Elly felt when she received help in the story? Why is helping others important?
What would you do if you were in Cinder-Elly's shoes at different points of the story?
How did the characters’ actions change the course of the story? What does this tell us about our own actions in real life?
What lessons can we learn from Cinder-Elly’s experiences and choices?
If you could change one part of the story, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to place themselves in Cinder-Elly's shoes, fostering empathy and understanding. Discuss the importance of kindness and helping others as reflected in the book. Use different characters' perspectives to explore complex emotions and decisions. Finally, equip your child to think critically about how they can apply the story’s lessons to their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience and perseverance
Explanation: Cinder-Elly faces various challenges, much like the classic Cinderella, but she tackles them with determination and resilience.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of persisting through difficulties and not giving up when facing their own challenges at school or at home.
Example Lesson: Importance of kindness
Explanation: Cinder-Elly is kind to everyone around her despite her own hardships, which ultimately leads to positive outcomes in her story.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to practice kindness and empathy towards others in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Value of hard work
Explanation: Cinder-Elly's hard work throughout the story is rewarded, teaching the merit of diligence and effort.
Real-World Application: Kids are inspired to put effort into their tasks, be it homework, chores, or other responsibilities, understanding that their efforts can lead to rewarding results.