Stepsister

The truth is out.  Everyone knows what Isabelle and Tavi did to their stepsister Ella, how that abused and belittled her, how they forced her into servitude.  Everyone also knows the stepsisters mutilated their feet for a chance at the prince.  As if a prince would ever want an ugly stepsister.

Isabelle is strong, smart, and feisty in a world that only values beauty and compliance in women.  Her sister Tavi is in no better position.  She only cares about books and equations, but no school would ever take a girl even if her mother would allow it.

It seems Isabell will never outlive the shame of her past, but there are higher stakes in the kingdom of France.  Fate, in the form of a crone, has already plotted Isabelle's life, and on this map, it is brief and tragic.  Chance has another plan in mind.  He's stolen Isabelle's map in an attempt to change not just her fate but the fate of France.

But is it too late for Isabelle to change her course?  She has been carving away pieces of herself for years to try to fit into her mother's and society's expectations.  She may have already lost too much of herself to triumph.

I loved Jennifer Donnelly's new book!  It has so many messages we need to hear.  Your size and appearance don't determine your value.  The world may have knocked you down, but you have the power to get back up and reclaim your place and your value in the world.  Plus, none of the girls turns out to be a villain in the end.  Hooray for female friendship!  Recommended for grades 7 and up for some particularly bloody scenes.