06.07.07
If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where’s My Prince? by Melissa Kantor
Lucy Norton is a Cinderella! When her father remarries and moves her from the West Coast to Long Island, Lucy is left with her stepmother and twin stepsisters. Living in the basement with no furniture and a long list of chores, her life is miserable. When she meets Connor, the cutest jock in school, she goes from friendless to popular. Will he be her prince?
Eryn VHS said,
June 14, 2007 at 10:46 am
This was a very cute book, and a quick and fun read. However, I thought a lot of the characters were a little flat. Her stepmother was nothing but shallow, self-absorbed, and indifferent until the very end of the book when she makes a sudden change for the better - with no apparent stimulus. The ending seemed unrealistic- everything wrapped up neatly and everyone lived happily ever after. However, it does bring up some important and very real issues about the difficulty of merging a blended family. All in all, it was a fun read, and I guess fairy tales should have happy endings.
Bridgett VHS said,
November 2, 2007 at 12:56 pm
1. What are some of the difficulties that members of a blended family face? Do you think it is harder on the parents or the children?
There are plenty of problems with blending a famly. First of all one of the family have to pick up and move to a new house and sometimes for the children new schools. Then there is the problem with getting to know new rules and getting to know each other better then you already have. The move is harder for the children or teenagers involved. Because they are use to having their parent to themselves and now they have to share with someone else. But the parents also have a hard time because they have to make it known to their noe step-children that they have to also listen to what they say.
2. In the classic Cinderella fairy tale, Cinderella is “rescued” by the prince. Is Lucy different - does she change her life, or is she “rescued” by someone/something else?
3. Do you think the “happy ending” resolution for the book is realistic? Does it add to or subtract from the book?
Annabeth CBHS said,
November 19, 2007 at 6:05 pm
This book is one my favorite books. Growing up, Cinderella was my favorite princess. I love the movies, and now that I have a 3 year old niece I have an excuse to love her even more. I always wanted to read a book or see a movie that was Cinderella but in a more modern sense. When i saw this book as Barnes and Noble, i had to have it. I read it in one day. I could not put it down. I imagined all the “popular” girls as people from Mean Girls and the step sisters, were so bratty i could not actually describe the image they put in my mind. Why is that jocks are always the first guy girls go for in books, why can’t they just settle with the sweet nerdy guy the first time?
Now to answer the questions.
1. What are some of the difficulties that members of a blended family face? Do you think it is harder on the parents or the children?
- Some difficulties of being a member of a blended family are leaving one of your parents. You have to get up and move, go to a new school, leave all your friends that were there for you, and you usually have to get new siblings. To be honest, i think it is harder on the kids. The parents are in a midst new marriage and hold more excitments. The kids on the other hand have more “consequences” its more of a new life style. If the new parent does not get to know them, its hard on them. They have to deal with new siblings most of the time. They have to make a whole new living environment, and make new friends. And being a teenager myself, i rely on my friends because they are always there for me. I can’t see myself moving and trying to make new friends because for teenagers it takes a lot to gain trust from somebody.
2. In the classic Cinderella fairy tale, Cinderella is “rescued” by the prince. Is Lucy different - does she change her life, or is she “rescued” by someone/something else?
-I think she changed her life. No one made her make the decisions. It was all on her own.
2. Do you think the “happy ending” resolution for the book is realistic? Does it add to or subtract from the book?
-No, i don’t think the “happy ending” is a resolution for a realistic Cinderella. But “Everything turns out to be okay in the end, and if its not okay, it is not the end.” By putting the “happy ending” it showed the reader it was the end. I thought the ending was cute.
Rachel VHS said,
November 20, 2007 at 2:16 pm
3. Do you think the “happy ending” resolution for the book is realistic? Does it add to or subtract from the book?
Yeah…definately not. Maybe to some extent, but not all of it. First of all, the whole evil-stepmother-turns-out-to-be-nice thing at the end is SO unrealistic. And she makes this change without any real reason. Evil people cant just change with the drop of a hat. And while Sam confessing his love at the end of the book is great, it just doesnt seem all that realistic… I’m not sure, maybe I’m just a cynic, but it just seemed too fast for me. He had shown subtle signs of maybe liking her, but it wasnt all that apparent. But maybe thats why this is a fitcion book. Its the re-doing of a fairy tale, which is a beautiful story where unrealistivc things occur. I mean seriously, in the real Cinderella, her and the prince meet and instantly fall in love and a day or so later they get married. But the unrealisticness of fairy tales is the point. They provide an escape into a magical world where anything can happen. They give us the warm fuzzies, make us believe that things like handsome princess with outragiously large bank accounts will somehow find us and fall madly in love.
All in all this was a cute book, but it didn’t have much depth to it. Its a good beach read or a good book to make you feel better about your sistuation.
Elizabeth VHS said,
November 20, 2007 at 5:20 pm
This book has earned a 7 out of 10 in my opinion. Now to answer the FTR questions…
2. In the classic Cinderella fairy tale, Cinderella is “rescued” by the prince. Is Lucy different - does she change her life, or is she “rescued” by someone/something else?
Lucy’s story is different from the original Cinderella story, because cinderella gets wisked away by the handsom prince and lives “happily ever after” but, Lucy starts acting differently when she gets a boyfriend. She seems to have more courage and higher self-esteem when she has somebody that’s “just for her.”
3. Do you think the “happy ending” resolution for the book is realistic? Does it add to or subtract from the book?
Yes…the ending made the book even more realistic and did not subtract at all from the book, but I think the author should have carried the ending out a bit more…you know…for the whole romantic effect…
…So sue me, I can’t help it if I’m a true romancist
Melissa 2 VHS said,
December 3, 2007 at 3:08 am
1. What are some of the difficulties that members of a blended family face? Do you think it is harder on the parents or the children?
In Lucy’s case was especially hard. She had to move away from friends to not only live with her steps but also not have her dad to help and support her. I believe that it depend on the situation, for example what if the kid had a step dad who only how to care for boys not girls, in situation like this it can be hard for a step to understand much about girls, especially teenagers. I can think of a lot of ways a blended family can go hard on both parents in kids in reality
SarahSHSDoerr1 said,
February 8, 2008 at 9:52 pm
1.In the classic Cinderella fairy tale, Cinderella is “rescued” by the prince. Is Lucy different - does she change her life, or is she “rescued” by someone/something else?
I feel that Lucy has changed her life but she couldn’t have done it with the help from her prince(s). They helped her realize that she could have fun and be accepted.But it was Lucy that made each choice which made all the difference.
Angela EJSHS said,
February 10, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Do you think the “happy ending” resolution for the book is realistic? Does it add to or subtract from the book? I think that the book ending could happen in real life but, it is highly unlikely. In the beginning she thought that she got the prince that she wanted but, the person that she really wanted was there all along. I think that it kind of sounds like something that came out of a Disney movie. After you started reading the book you could tell who she was going to end up with in the end and what was going tot happen. In the first fifty pages or so she thought that she had found her prince charming so you knew that something was going to happen to shake up the plot. In the end, she ended up with another guy that she felt was more of a “prince” than the original guy that she had started with. After Lucy had gotten her “prince”, she said that she didn’t want to try to live in a fairy tale anymore but, in reality she was because there is a slim to none chance that that would ever happen in real life.
In the Question of it adds or takes away from the book I can not really say if it does either. The fact that the ending was rather predictable may have been a major turn off to many people but I thought that I wouldn’t have been as satisfied if the book had ended any other way. I mean after reading about Lucy’s rather difficult life I wouldn’t have wanted the ending to the book to have been some thing that would have left her depressed or anything of that nature. If I had to pick between whether it added or subtracted from the entire book I would have to say that it added. Because, no matter what a girl says every girl dreams of a guy coming by and becoming her “Prince Charming”. As you read the end of the book no matter how much you want think “What a cheesy ending.”, you end up thinking “I wish I were that girl.”
MoniqueEJSHS said,
February 10, 2008 at 7:33 pm
I thought that the “happy ending” resolution for the book was very unrealistic. I believe this subtracted from the book. The entire book though was good and held my attention. The book was pretty funny too.
Connor is a typical boy. He just continues to dance with Kathryn and hold her all throughout the night, pretty much forgetting about his girlfriend. But then, isn’t that a coincidence that Jane and Sam happen to break up on that same night, then Lucy and Sam just happen to get together a few minutes after Sam’s break-up. I just don’t see how this could happen, unless all these people are fickle.
I also don’t see how Mara’s attitude changes so quickly. You’d think she’d want to be in Lucy’s prom picture, but she just stands to the side like it’s not a big deal that she won’t be in it. But of course, the obnoxious, bratty stepsisters run over to be in it. Then she all of a sudden decides to purchase the easel for Lucy when she didn’t want to before. The only way I saw her doing that was if Lucy’s father talked her into it.
For the ending to have been more realistic, Jane and Sam shouldn’t have broken up at the prom the same night that there ends up being no more Lucy and Connor, Sam shouldn’t have gotten together with Lucy on the same night, and Mara should have gradually eased into being nicer with her whole attitude changing. Also, the book could have been drawn out just a little bit more, so readers could see what’s happening. I assume that Kathryn and Connor will be getting together, Sam and Lucy will live happily ever after, the twins will remain their same bratty selves, Mara will continue being nice, Lucy’s father will just remain the same, and Madison and Jessica will still remain good friends with Lucy.
Suzy EJSHS said,
February 11, 2008 at 8:54 pm
This present-day fairy tale was a wonderful read to fill a “gossipy” girl’s mind. It was a book that kids our age can relate to, high school, hot guys and sweaty palms.
What are some of the difficulties that members of a blended family face? Do you think it is harder on the parents or the children?
As most teenagers have come to realize, it’s not easy to take orders someone you don’t know or respect. In Melissa Kantor’s novel, she gave readers accurate scenes from the life of a step-child. Respect and love are the main components a blended family needs to strengthen their relationship with each other. Without them families will more than likely have plenty of high-heated conversations and/or keep things bottled up bringing chaos to each other’s lives.
I believe it is harder on the parent because teenagers are known for their lack of communication which would lead to many worries of the parent, whom is wondering if she/he is doing the right parenting job. Parents have big responsibilities (bills, full-time jobs, transporting kids etc.) and raising their children in a good environment is one of them. On page 100 Mara sternly says to her step-daughter, “Lucy, your father and I mean tonight, and we mean tonight”. The step-kids are just being stubborn and moody while the parents gain stress by each passing minute trying to earn respect.
Annabeth, from CBHS, holds a wonderful argument of how hard it is on the kids in a blended family. “You have to get up and move, go to a new school, leave all your friends that were there for you, and you usually have to get new siblings”. But although their consequences are more plentiful, it isn’t as hard on the children then it is as on the parents, who have more responsibilities.
Jacki EJSHS said,
February 12, 2008 at 8:02 pm
3. Do you think the “happy ending” resolution for the book is realistic? Does it add to or subtract from the book?
Personally, I rather enjoyed the ending of the book. It was not realistic at all but it was the type of ending every girl wish could come true. I mean, I would love to have “Prince Charming” come and take me off on a magical journey of love and romance! But we all know that those types of endings rarely come true. The ending of this book was the sort to make every girl sigh at the last sentence. I won’t lie but I must have stared at the last sentence imagining the cutest guy coming up to me and saying, “Jacki! I’d love to apply as your Prince Charming! Do you need to see my cover page?” It’s a dream! But I do not believe that it took away from the story at all since the title of the book is If I Have A Wicked Stepmother, Where’s My Prince? It just flows. And I think that this book is a great book for young females every where!
I am woman, hear me roar!!
Jacki EJSHS said,
February 12, 2008 at 8:11 pm
CONTINUED…
Throughout the whole book the main character believed that she had found her prince charming and yet he turned back into a toad. It was not a suprise to find out that the mysterious man behind the paintings was indeed Prince Charming! And the book was full of comparisons between her and Cinderella. With a few eceptions they were in, some what of, the same situation. At the middle of the book she was begining to realize how un happy she was with her faux Prince. She began to see the man with paint brushes as the Prince she’d always wanted! Ta Da!! Prince Charming to the rescue at the Ball where faux Prince is grinding with the Princess from school. And of course how else to end the book than to end it with Prince Charming and Cinderella (kind of) running off into the sunset! Once again, the story flowed really well with the Cinderella theme.
Sara SHS said,
February 26, 2008 at 11:07 am
3. Do you think the “happy ending” resolution for the book is realistic? Does it add to or subtract from the book?
no, i think that the whole book was unrealistic. if you dont have any friends at school, the popular kids are not going to come up to you and suddeny become your “bff’s”. and then she starts dating the most popular kid in school? i think not. that’s just not the way it happens. the ending could be realistic but it’s highly unlikly. im not saying it was a bad book, it was wonderful. i really did like it. it was just hard to believe.
Kendra EJHS said,
March 11, 2008 at 4:51 pm
3. Do you think the “happy ending” resolution for the book is realistic? Does it add to or subtract from the book?
I beleive it is realistic and can and probably had happned in real life. i think it made the book 10x better that she had to kiss a frog before finding her prince.
In the beginning her dad got married to an evil woman with 2 evil children and they were making her life very complicated and unfair. then she gets asked out by the jock and thinks she found her man. but it turns out that he is really a flirt and ditches her to go get drunk and party with his friends. and finaly she dumps him at prom and gets together with the cute guy in her art class that she likes.
Kendra EJSHS said,
March 14, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Do you think the “happy ending” resolution for the book is realistic? Does it add to or subtract from the book?
I think the ‘happy ending’ is realistic because Lucy got the guy she liked and shaired commin interests with in the end. Its realistic because people find people they like all the time and date them even if its not the person they expected.
Summary: Lucy is living with her evil stepmother ans stepsisters while her dad is away at his job all week.Also shes at a new school where she doesnt really know anyone. She thinks her life is horrable. Then the popular girls start talking to her and the head basketball player asks her out and she thinks her life is a faritale and shes found her prince. Then she realizes he is a jerk and he flirts with other girls and ditches her to party and get drunk with his friends. Then after she dumps him at prom she finds she liked the cute guy in her art class and they get together.
Input: I loved this book. It was amazing beacuse i could deffinatly see it happining in real life. i liked how she compaired her life 2 Cinderella’s, it was very cool.
Kaitlinshsdoerr4 said,
March 18, 2008 at 8:41 pm
1.What are some of the difficulties that members of a blended family face? Do you think it is harder on the parents or the children?
Some difficulties may include trouble getting along with the other family members or maybe if they moved it might be difficult to get to know the area or going to a new school. The parents because it troubles the parents to see there side of the family not working and the struggle to fix it, also they my have relationship issues with there step kids.
2.In the classic Cinderella fairy tale, Cinderella is “rescued” by the prince. Is Lucy different - does she change her life, or is she “rescued” by someone/something else?
Well…..have mixed feelings about this, Lucy at first (or at least she thinks so) is rescued by Connor, but then she questions their relationship and at that point I think that she rescued herself and at the end Sam rescues her.
3.Do you think the “happy ending” resolution for the book is realistic? Does it add to or subtract from the book?
I do not think that the ending is realistic, I don’t think that a evil step mom will change the next morning after a pep talk, even though its fiction. I think it adds to the book even though its not very realistic.
Jacobj EJSHS said,
March 18, 2008 at 9:03 pm
3) Do you think the “happy ending” resolution for the book is realistic? Does it add to or subtract from the book?
Personally, I feel as thought the ending were not so much realistic as predictable. In a challenge of my own virility, I had trouble downing the fact that the shy-tempered Sam stepped up to whisk away the “love of his life”, skipping off with Lucy, his Juliet, without an ounce of suffering or sacrifice. In reality, I cannot fathom an occasion such as this common occurrence in Cinderella-esque literature. Though it most likely struck happiness into Kantor’s target audience, I felt as though it removed all sanity and credibility from the novel’s plotline, detracting from it as a whole.
In response to Elizabeth VHS, I believe that the story still adheres rather well to the Cinderella fairy tale (a fairy tale being all that it is). You mention that Lucy acts oddly around her boyfriend, juxtaposing that romantically insignificant inamorata with the Prince Charming of the original story. Two references to the novel’s text can easily stand as a confirmatio of my offense. Sam (presumably not the boyfriend you refer to) reflects both the characteristics of and the self-given title Prince Charming; therein lies Kantor’s connections to Cinderella. Kantor further proves her point by illustrating the anti-fidelity of he who you presume to be the Prince Charming (primarily through his promiscuity with Katherine).
HailEJSHS said,
April 2, 2008 at 9:50 pm
3. Do you think the “happy ending” resolution for the book is realistic? Does it add to or subtract from the book?
The ending to this story is definitely a realistic ending. Anyone can go to prom and have the worst time of their life. However, most people would not leave their date on the spot and then go for another guy. It would be hurtful but it probably has been done. In the end nevertheless Lucy had found her true prince charming; which in real life it is a very possible chance a lot of people can find their prince. Knowing that adds to the book. It makes the book more realistic. Also a lot of people can relate to it, which can make it an even better book! It gives hope to people who may have been in a similar situation as Lucy.
This story was a very good novel. I believe many students can relate to what Lucy is going through.
AmandaEJSHS said,
April 12, 2008 at 10:16 am
Do you think the “happy ending” resolution for the book is realistic? Does it add to or subtract from the book?
I think the “happy ending” resolution for the book is really unrealistic. Don’t get me wrong because I did like the end of it but some of it kind of sounded like it would never happen in real life. I thought it was kind of awkward how Lucy is going out with a guy named Conner who she hardly knew at the beginning of the story. When Lucy dumps him towards the end of it at Prom and Sam dumps his girlfriend at Prom also and then Sam and Lucy start going out that same exact night was a little strange, too. Mara, who is the evil stepmother and never listens to what Lucy has to say, changes her attitude quickly with no rhyme or reason to it. For example, at first Lucy wanted this to get this unique easel but Mara would not buy it for her. Finally, Mara changes her mind and does something nice for Lucy and buys her the easel. This book’s “happy ending” does both adds and subtracts to the story. It adds to the story because it makes it a little more interesting and makes me want to read more. It subtracts because knowing in real life, it would never happen. All in all, I really did like this book. This book had a really cute story line to it and was very funny at times. I was not able to put it down and I never got bored reading it. It also did keep my attention.
MiaEJSH said,
April 15, 2008 at 5:10 pm
i really enjoyed this book. i’m all for happy endings and i can kind of relate to the main character since i have a step-mom.i give this book a 7 out of 10.
1. What are some of the difficulties that members of a blended family face? Do you think it is harder on the parents or the children?
Some of the difficulties of a blended family are that the kids feel as if the “new” parent doesn’t like them or if there are other kids from the “new” parent favors them over you. Also sometimes the “new” child doesn’t respect the parent or feels that they shouldn’t have to listen to him/her because they’re not their mother/father. Another problem is one-half of the blended family usually has to pack up their things and leave, which can be very hard on someone. If the dad, lets say, is divorced, sometimes the mother doesn’t like the step-mother or vice-versa. I have a step-mom so I definitely know the problems. The parents have it hard when it comes to the kids. They want them to like their new husband or wife. Also they have to find a balance between the new person in their life and their kid(s). But I think that the children have it harder. They have to adapt basically a whole new way of life. Also, they might feel that their parents sides with the new step-parent. They have to learn to respect these new family members. Sometimes they have to find common ground with the new parent because they want to make their parent happy. They have to learn that there is someone new in their parent’s life and that they can’t get their attention all the time. They also have to learn to listen to the new parent’s mouth run. And if they have new siblings they have to learn to work with and not argue with them.
Sora VHS said,
April 22, 2008 at 3:36 pm
This book was actually very realistic…
From many teenagers point of view stepparents come in many types, from the nice one that’s caring an helpful, to the one that just acts nice but once they hook the man they show their true colors.
Lucy was definently interesting though, just her distinct look on things grabbed my attention! At first I thought this book was going to be a basic Cinderella story but more of an updated version.
It was unique, though the ending wasn’t what I expected. Just like some have said before it doesn’t seem very realistic how Sam, the shy artist would come out of the blue and tell Lucy his feelings and a happily ever after happens. But I wouldn’t have changed it, or at least wouldn’t have known how to end it better anyway. Definently a magnificient story!
Hayner VHS said,
April 22, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I thought this book was incredibly cute. I loved how she ended up going for the shy artist instead of the jock- He was just lame.
I was surprised, though, that her family came around and realized how bad they were treating Lucy. I thought it was so cute when she started hanging out with the artist- He was such a better choice for her personality, and he truely made her happy.
Lindsey EJSHS said,
April 22, 2008 at 10:04 pm
What are some of the difficulties that members of a blended family face? Do you think it is harder on the parents or the children?
Members of a blended family face much more problems and difficulties than regular families do. Because the children of blended families have different parents, it is hard to spend weekends together, plan vacations, etc. Most importantly, it is a lot harder to get along. Custody battles and visitation rights sound simple enough, but in reality, it is nowhere close to simple. In custody battles, families usually are torn apart. After divorces, most parents refuse to get along with each other, even though it is in the best interest for their children. This causes the children in the family to have to be in the middle of their parents’ fights, and are usually forced to choose sides. This causes problems and effects the visitation because the kids will be told different things about the other parent, so eventually the child will not want to visit. This effects the whole family life at home because it causes more stress, and a ton of more fighting. From experience, I know that it is also very hard to plan family vacations with a blended family. Having to follow the visitation orders from court limit the free time with the children because they have to go to the other parents’ house for most weekends. Children also like to use things like having a different mother or father against the other children in their family. They diss those with irresponsible parents instead of being there for them. I fully believe that it is much harder on the children rather than the parents. The children are the ones that have to switch between houses for visitation, and they are the ones that have to hear both parents argue about each other.
brittshsdoerr6 said,
April 29, 2008 at 8:08 am
3. Do you think the “happy ending” resolution for the book is realistic? Does it add to or subtract from the book?
i think the endingto the book is very realistic and it does not subtract from the book at all. Through the whole book the one she should be with was there all along she just didnt take the time to realize it.
Anonymous said,
April 29, 2008 at 10:15 am
I agree with SuzyEJSHS on the problems that a blended family face. In Melissa Kantor’s novel, she brings the story of Cinderella into the 21st century: typical high school, hot guys and of course prom. In the story, Lucy Norton’s life, she is basically Cinderella. She lives in a basement with no furniture, she has two evil stepsisters, and of course, the finishing touch to her miserable life, an evil stepmother. As Lucy has discovered, one problem for the child of a blended family is that it is hard to love and respect a stranger or someone you don’t know. In Lucy’s case, that would be her stepmother Mara, and her two daughters Amy and Emma. It is especially hard to love and respect someone if they do not love and respect you back. Another problem except for the parents is raising the children correctly. In Lucy’s life, she disobeys Mara and sneaks out with her friends. This becomes a problem for the parent because then, they believe that they’re not doing a good job in parenting. The fact that Lucy deliberately disobeys Mara and sneaks out puts stress on her when she’s trying to earn some respect. A big problem for the child is moving to a totally new place, going to a completely new school, and of course putting up with the stepmother and stepsisters. I really loved this book and convince other people to do so as well. This book always had me wondering if Lucy would end up with Conner Pearson, or end up with the artist Sam Wolff? Find out for yourself
RebeccaEJSHS said,
April 29, 2008 at 10:18 am
I agree with SuzyEJSHS on the problems that a blended family face. In Melissa Kantor’s novel, she brings the story of Cinderella into the 21st century: typical high school, hot guys and of course prom. In the story, Lucy Norton’s life, she is basically Cinderella. She lives in a basement with no furniture, she has two evil stepsisters, and of course, the finishing touch to her miserable life, an evil stepmother. As Lucy has discovered, one problem for the child of a blended family is that it is hard to love and respect a stranger or someone you don’t know. In Lucy’s case, that would be her stepmother Mara, and her two daughters Amy and Emma. It is especially hard to love and respect someone if they do not love and respect you back. Another problem except for the parents is raising the children correctly. In Lucy’s life, she disobeys Mara and sneaks out with her friends. This becomes a problem for the parent because then, they believe that they’re not doing a good job in parenting. The fact that Lucy deliberately disobeys Mara and sneaks out puts stress on her when she’s trying to earn some respect. A big problem for the child is moving to a totally new place, going to a completely new school, and of course putting up with the stepmother and stepsisters. I really loved this book and convince other people to do so as well. This book always had me wondering if Lucy would end up with Conner Pearson, or end up with the artist Sam Wolff? Find out for yourself:-)
Maggie EJSHS said,
May 13, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Do you think the “happy ending” resolution for the book is realistic? Does it add to or subtract from the book?
The “fairy-tale ending” that Melissa Kantor ends the story with was predictably unrealistic. In some ways, it adds to the book and in some ways it doesn’t. Without it, if Lucy was left without the guy, with a fighting family and no friends, it would have ruined the “Cinderella Story” aspect of the book. Even before I started to read the book it was easy to guess what as going to happen just based on the title. Though many complain about happy endings, sometimes that’s exactly what the reader is looking for. And since the reader probably knew the plot when they picked it up, it’s their fault if they hated the book just because of its happy ending. On the other side, the ending almost seemed too happy; even more so than the true Cinderella story. In Kantor’s book, Lucy is at peace with everyone, including her evil stepmother and stepsisters and excluding the cheater boyfriend and his new girlfriend. The only thing that bothered me was the speedy turn around of everyone’s opinion and attitude toward Lucy: her stepfamily loved her, her dad committed everything, her boyfriend conveniently started cheating on her right when she realized she liked someone else, and the guy she likes conveniently broke up with his girlfriend to be with Lucy. And all in less then a week. That degraded the book for me. So, it would have been perfect if it had either shown a more realistic progression in the relationships, but still ending up with the cool guy.
Avery EJSHS said,
May 13, 2008 at 10:49 pm
1. What are some of the difficulties that members of a blended family face? Do you think it is harder on the parents or the children?
Blended families face an abundance of problems. I would identify the main problem simply as the mixed members to learn how to get along. In whatever scenario that leads to a blended family, it can be almost guaranteed that there are unresolved feelings existing. Whether it be the death of a spouse, or a divorce, either the child(ren) or parents will be ill at ease. Often times it can be difficult for kids living in a blended family to accept the new “parent” as their own. It can seem that this new person has been picked to replace their genetic parent. As for the adults, it’s not usually an easy thing to marry into a family that’s already developed. These stepparents have to find a way to ease into the family without being intrusive or coming across as a willing replacement.
Although it’s not easy to become a happy part of a blended family for adults, I believe that blended families are much harder on the children. It should be kept in mind that the parent’s are the ones who have decided to instigate this new relationship. Although to say the kids were “forced” into a new family is harsh, it most certainly wasn’t their choice. I also believe it can be safely assumed that their opinion wouldn’t have mattered much if the parents had made up their minds. I believe that having to accept a new adult into your family that poses as a competition and replacement to the parent you’ve lost is a greater trial than the incoming, soon to be stepparent would have to deal with.
Kristen EJSHS said,
May 20, 2008 at 7:07 pm
1. What are some of the difficulties that members of a blended family face? Do you think it is harder on the parents or the children?
Being in a blended family can be very difficult. I personally am not from a blended family but some of my friends are, and I know how tough it has been on some them. When you aren’t from a blended family your whole life you automatically know everyone in your family and you grow up with them. You share a lot of experiences with them also. In blended families you don’t grow up with them and don’t have as many shared experiences. So then your opinions and views on things tend to differ. That can cause a lot of problems and arguments. Generally that part of your blended family is going to do things different then what your used to. That can not go over well, and in some extreme cases break up blended families. Being in a blended family is difficult because you don’t know that new part of the family that well. Also because you may not like having to share your part of the family with the new part of the family. I think that it is harder on the children in the family. Mainly because they have no choice in becoming part of a blended family, where as the parents do. The children just have do deal with it and listen to what their parents tell them to do. Sometimes that can be tough because you may not agree with what you have to do. Being in a blended family is hard on the parents too. However it’s not as hard because they had a choice in it and because no one is telling them what to do. Being part of a blended family can be hard, but it can also turn into something wonderful.