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Seeing Cinderella
Calliope Meadow Anderson wishes her life could be more of a fairy tale—just like the stories she writes. Her best friend, Ellen, is acting weird, her parent's marriage is falling apart, and to top things off, she found out she needs hideously large and geeky glasses.
But Callie soon learns they aren't just any glasses—they are magical and let her read people's thoughts. For the first time ever she's answering all the questions right in math class, and gets a glimpse of what goes through people's minds all day, including what Ellen—and her longtime crush—really think of her.
As if dealing with these crazy glasses weren't enough, Callie tries out for the lead in her school's production of Cinderella and actually gets the part. Instead, Callie chooses to let Ellen have the lead and be Ellen's understudy—just like she has done for their entire friendship.
Add in a new girl who has something to hide, a secret admirer, a best friend stealer who isn't what she seems, and Callie's year just went from ordinary to extraordinary.
Can this supporting actress learn to be a leading lady in her own life? Or is she destined to stay in the background forever—even with her super-freaky-magic glasses?
But Callie soon learns they aren't just any glasses—they are magical and let her read people's thoughts. For the first time ever she's answering all the questions right in math class, and gets a glimpse of what goes through people's minds all day, including what Ellen—and her longtime crush—really think of her.
As if dealing with these crazy glasses weren't enough, Callie tries out for the lead in her school's production of Cinderella and actually gets the part. Instead, Callie chooses to let Ellen have the lead and be Ellen's understudy—just like she has done for their entire friendship.
Add in a new girl who has something to hide, a secret admirer, a best friend stealer who isn't what she seems, and Callie's year just went from ordinary to extraordinary.
Can this supporting actress learn to be a leading lady in her own life? Or is she destined to stay in the background forever—even with her super-freaky-magic glasses?
240 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2012
About the author
Jenny Lundquist
7 books436 followersJenny Lundquist grew up in Huntington Beach, California, wearing glasses and wishing they had magic powers. They didn't, but they did help her earn a degree in intercultural studies at Biola University. Jenny has painted an orphanage in Mexico, taught English at a university in Russia, and hopes one day to write a book at a café in Paris. Jenny and her husband live in northern California with their two sons and Rambo, the world's whiniest cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
December 8, 2011
Top Five Reasons To Read SEEING CINDERELLA, by Jenny Lundquist:
1. The Premise: Calliope Meadow Anderson (“Callie”) finds out she needs glasses. Her new frames are hideously large—a total nightmare, except for one cool feature: When Callie wears them, computer screens appear over everyone’s heads, revealing their innermost thoughts! Suddenly, Callie knows what her best friend, secret crush, and locker partner REALLY think about her. Sometimes, that’s not a good thing.
2. Callie’s new friend Ana: She definitely has something to hide. But even with her super freaky glasses, Callie can’t decipher Ana’s thoughts, since the words on Ana’s computer screen appear in her native tongue: Spanish.
3. The Cinderella Metaphor: Callie auditions for the lead in her school’s production of Cinderella. But when she gets the part, she gives it to her best friend Ellen. It’s easier to be the understudy and avoid the spotlight. Isn’t it?
4. Super Freaky Chapter Titles: My favorites:
*Super Freaky Glasses Rule #3: Most People Tell Little White Lies. Don’t Be Offended. You Do The Same Thing.
*Super Freaky Glasses Rule #9: It’s Easier To Dislike Someone When You Don’t Have To Read Their Thoughts.
*Super Freaky Glasses Rule #12: People Guard Their Secrets Well. Your Magic Glasses Can’t Change That.
5. The Lesson: (from p.213) “One thing the glasses taught me: No matter how different we looked on the outside, on the inside we worried and wondered about the same things. We all hoped we’d find someone who would see us for the person we really were, and the person we wanted to be.”
1. The Premise: Calliope Meadow Anderson (“Callie”) finds out she needs glasses. Her new frames are hideously large—a total nightmare, except for one cool feature: When Callie wears them, computer screens appear over everyone’s heads, revealing their innermost thoughts! Suddenly, Callie knows what her best friend, secret crush, and locker partner REALLY think about her. Sometimes, that’s not a good thing.
2. Callie’s new friend Ana: She definitely has something to hide. But even with her super freaky glasses, Callie can’t decipher Ana’s thoughts, since the words on Ana’s computer screen appear in her native tongue: Spanish.
3. The Cinderella Metaphor: Callie auditions for the lead in her school’s production of Cinderella. But when she gets the part, she gives it to her best friend Ellen. It’s easier to be the understudy and avoid the spotlight. Isn’t it?
4. Super Freaky Chapter Titles: My favorites:
*Super Freaky Glasses Rule #3: Most People Tell Little White Lies. Don’t Be Offended. You Do The Same Thing.
*Super Freaky Glasses Rule #9: It’s Easier To Dislike Someone When You Don’t Have To Read Their Thoughts.
*Super Freaky Glasses Rule #12: People Guard Their Secrets Well. Your Magic Glasses Can’t Change That.
5. The Lesson: (from p.213) “One thing the glasses taught me: No matter how different we looked on the outside, on the inside we worried and wondered about the same things. We all hoped we’d find someone who would see us for the person we really were, and the person we wanted to be.”
March 1, 2012
Read the complete and original review at Word Spelunking
THREE WORDS: Charming, Enchanting, Heartwarming
MY REVIEW: With a magical story, fantastic characters, and wonderful writing, Jenny Lundquist’s Seeing Cinderella has captivated and charmed me completely!
Calliope “Callie” Meadow Anderson starts middle school believing she is as far from being like Cinderella as a gal can get. Her parents’ marriage is falling apart, her classmates call her Polka Dot, her best friend is getting chummy with a new girl, her crush doesn’t even know her name, and she’s stuck with the world’s dorkiest glasses. But Callie’s life gets even more complicated when she discovers that her glasses allow her to read people’s thoughts. Too bad she learns things she never wanted to know…like what people really think of her. Toss in a Cinderella play, a secret admirer and a new girl with secrets, and Callie’s middle school life is anything but a fairytale.
Everyone who has ever survived middle school knows what a tough, confusing, downright frustrating time those couple of years can be, and Lundquist explores this with humor, honesty and a lot of heart. I adored everything about this MG book! Lundquist offers readers such a relatable, entertaining, and well-crafted story, which is both super fun and touching.
The idea behind Callie’s magical mind reading glasses is fantastically unique and refreshing, but never feels over the top. The writing is smart, hip and pitch perfect for its audience. The dialogue sounds authentic and Lundquist’s middle school world is spot on.
The main character Callie is adorkably awesome with all of her awkward, endearing charm. This is a character that every reader can relate to, especially us girls, because I think we’re all a bit of a “Callie”. I connected instantly with Callie and felt every ounce of her pain, confusion, joy and heartache. At every turn of the page I found myself nodding enthusiastically and saying out loud “I know EXACTLY how that feels!” or “That happened to me too!”. There’s a great and eclectic supporting cast as well.
Callie’s fumbling journey from invisible girl to leading lady is full of crushing crushes, mean girls, unexpected realizations and some pretty big life lessons, and Lundquist maps out this journey beautifully. There are some pretty intense and serious real life situations and problems (divorce, cheating parents, child neglect, body image issues, etc) explored in this book, but Lundquist does a phenomenal job of approaching these things in a way that is both appropriate and easy to understand for her intended MG audience, without underestimating that audience or being cheesy.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS: Jenny Lundquist’s Seeing Cinderella is a book that I wish I had as a 12 year old. I would love play the part of the Book Fairy Godmother, and place this novel in the hands of all young girls. This enchantingly sweet, funny and touching book will charm readers of all ages and leave them with a warm heart and a big smile. A definite MUST read!
THREE WORDS: Charming, Enchanting, Heartwarming
MY REVIEW: With a magical story, fantastic characters, and wonderful writing, Jenny Lundquist’s Seeing Cinderella has captivated and charmed me completely!
Calliope “Callie” Meadow Anderson starts middle school believing she is as far from being like Cinderella as a gal can get. Her parents’ marriage is falling apart, her classmates call her Polka Dot, her best friend is getting chummy with a new girl, her crush doesn’t even know her name, and she’s stuck with the world’s dorkiest glasses. But Callie’s life gets even more complicated when she discovers that her glasses allow her to read people’s thoughts. Too bad she learns things she never wanted to know…like what people really think of her. Toss in a Cinderella play, a secret admirer and a new girl with secrets, and Callie’s middle school life is anything but a fairytale.
Everyone who has ever survived middle school knows what a tough, confusing, downright frustrating time those couple of years can be, and Lundquist explores this with humor, honesty and a lot of heart. I adored everything about this MG book! Lundquist offers readers such a relatable, entertaining, and well-crafted story, which is both super fun and touching.
The idea behind Callie’s magical mind reading glasses is fantastically unique and refreshing, but never feels over the top. The writing is smart, hip and pitch perfect for its audience. The dialogue sounds authentic and Lundquist’s middle school world is spot on.
The main character Callie is adorkably awesome with all of her awkward, endearing charm. This is a character that every reader can relate to, especially us girls, because I think we’re all a bit of a “Callie”. I connected instantly with Callie and felt every ounce of her pain, confusion, joy and heartache. At every turn of the page I found myself nodding enthusiastically and saying out loud “I know EXACTLY how that feels!” or “That happened to me too!”. There’s a great and eclectic supporting cast as well.
Callie’s fumbling journey from invisible girl to leading lady is full of crushing crushes, mean girls, unexpected realizations and some pretty big life lessons, and Lundquist maps out this journey beautifully. There are some pretty intense and serious real life situations and problems (divorce, cheating parents, child neglect, body image issues, etc) explored in this book, but Lundquist does a phenomenal job of approaching these things in a way that is both appropriate and easy to understand for her intended MG audience, without underestimating that audience or being cheesy.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS: Jenny Lundquist’s Seeing Cinderella is a book that I wish I had as a 12 year old. I would love play the part of the Book Fairy Godmother, and place this novel in the hands of all young girls. This enchantingly sweet, funny and touching book will charm readers of all ages and leave them with a warm heart and a big smile. A definite MUST read!
March 14, 2019
Seeing Cinderella is a sweet story with a bit of magic rolled in. I loved the characters and the book was a lot of fun. At it's core though, there's a lot of heart. Definitely recommend this one for young readers (or adults who like a good story!)
July 22, 2013
Delightful and charming. A book written for young adults, but can be enjoyed by all.
There is a difference between not seeing and being vision impaired. Which are you?
There is a difference between not seeing and being vision impaired. Which are you?
June 22, 2017
Middle school is even more complicated when the glasses Callie's optomitrist loans her let her see other people's thoughts. Eventually she learns to "see" that others are not all that different inside. Each chapter begins with a "Super Freaky Glasses Rule" that is some insight into how such magic doesn't really help. Best friends drifting, parents falling apart, immigration, a play of Cinderella and who likes whom all play parts in this story of typical middle school life with a twist. Not overly profound, but a fun read.
January 23, 2019
This book was really good! It was a lot like Calli Be Gold, another 5-star book I read. I only took two days to finish it! Recommend it for anyone!!!!!
April 30, 2013
Calliope (Callie) Meadow Anderson is the quintessential wallflower. By choice. She is content to fade into the background, play second-fiddle to her beautiful and clever best friend and her sole aim in life is to wade through the murky waters of middle-school without any ripples.
Her low self-esteem can also be attributed to the fact that she is far from happy with her appearance. A head full of frizzy red hair, freckles that have earned her the moniker of 'Polka Dot' and the possibility of nerd glasses for her poor vision do not make for a content seventh-grader.
But things are going to get interesting when her optometrist, the good Dr.Ingram, hands her a pair of super-geeky glasses. Suddenly she can read the thoughts of all the people around her. Yes, their hidden thoughts pop up on little screens near their heads and it's all there in blue and white for Callie to read. And digest.
Does she want to know what people really think about her? Can she deal with her best friend's two-faced opinion about her? What does her crush actually think about her? Add to that, the varying opinions, fears and insecurities of all those around her and Callie's head is spinning.
Middle-school just got a whole lot more challenging.
-----------------------------------
I always have a soft spot for the girl who gets labelled *that weird one*. It breaks my heart to see a shy girl getting taken for a ride by her so-called friend. It makes me cringe to see the wallflower drooping as the object of her affections doesn't even know she exists.
And so...it's heart-warming to see said weird girl come into her own. And shine. And no matter how old I grow, I am juvenile enough to root for the romance between the frizzy-haired girl and the puckishly cute boy who was always in the background.
The author adds a touch of much-needed gravity with the angle of Callie's broken home dynamics. Her equation with her parents and her perceptions about their attitudes mature with the story and Callie's journey towards self-discovery.
In conclusion, Seeing Cinderella is an endearing book. It has a wonderful premise, an interesting main-lead and a host of characters who provide her and the readers with enough fodder to make the book an engaging read.
Her low self-esteem can also be attributed to the fact that she is far from happy with her appearance. A head full of frizzy red hair, freckles that have earned her the moniker of 'Polka Dot' and the possibility of nerd glasses for her poor vision do not make for a content seventh-grader.
But things are going to get interesting when her optometrist, the good Dr.Ingram, hands her a pair of super-geeky glasses. Suddenly she can read the thoughts of all the people around her. Yes, their hidden thoughts pop up on little screens near their heads and it's all there in blue and white for Callie to read. And digest.
Does she want to know what people really think about her? Can she deal with her best friend's two-faced opinion about her? What does her crush actually think about her? Add to that, the varying opinions, fears and insecurities of all those around her and Callie's head is spinning.
Middle-school just got a whole lot more challenging.
-----------------------------------
I always have a soft spot for the girl who gets labelled *that weird one*. It breaks my heart to see a shy girl getting taken for a ride by her so-called friend. It makes me cringe to see the wallflower drooping as the object of her affections doesn't even know she exists.
And so...it's heart-warming to see said weird girl come into her own. And shine. And no matter how old I grow, I am juvenile enough to root for the romance between the frizzy-haired girl and the puckishly cute boy who was always in the background.
The author adds a touch of much-needed gravity with the angle of Callie's broken home dynamics. Her equation with her parents and her perceptions about their attitudes mature with the story and Callie's journey towards self-discovery.
In conclusion, Seeing Cinderella is an endearing book. It has a wonderful premise, an interesting main-lead and a host of characters who provide her and the readers with enough fodder to make the book an engaging read.
March 30, 2012
My rating: 5/5 stars
Read the review in my blog!
May contain some spoilers
Calliope is kind of a loner and she likes to write stories. She's kind of geeky, and it certainly doesn't help that she'll need glasses.
That's when her sort of fairy godmother steps in, and that's when Callie receives her magical glasses. And they're magical because they let her see people's hidden thoughts. And she realizes that nothing's like she thought it was.
I really don't want to spoil too much, because this is such a wonderful story to read! Basically she learns that nothing's what it seems and everyone has hidden secrets, even the friends you think you know the best. Or your parents. And the one you think is the bad guy, isn't always. The motives behind people's actions might not be what you think they are. And, the most important thing I should've known when I was growing up: What ever you think about yourself, it may not be what the others thinks.
I have to say that I absolutely adore the picture of Jenny the 7th grader (can be found on her homepage)!
It's about excactly the same as mine! I'm few years younger than Jenny, so in my 7th grade picture I'm not wearing polo shirt, but a flanel shirt. Orange. And brown. And my glasses were a little smaller, since it was year.. umm.. seriously, I can't remember and I'm too lazy to count.
But anyway. I was the girl with the frizzy hair (I do have frizzy hair still, but now I know how to use straightening iron...). I was also 10 cm's (4 inches) taller than any other boy or girl in my class. So yeah, I feel the pain.
I also had louzy best friend, who made me and this other girl compete for her attention, until she found a boyfriend, and me and the other girl became friends. So it was kind of painful to read this book, but painful only because it reminds us, the girls with frizzy hair, what it was like to be that age. Especially when you didn't have magical glasses! Just ordinary ones. And nearly braces *shudder* It's nice to see how someone excactly like you, or me, survives it.
This is the book for all those frizzy haired girls who survived, or will survive, their lives even without the magical glasses!
Love,
Monaliz @ Mind Reading?
Read the review in my blog!
May contain some spoilers
Calliope is kind of a loner and she likes to write stories. She's kind of geeky, and it certainly doesn't help that she'll need glasses.
That's when her sort of fairy godmother steps in, and that's when Callie receives her magical glasses. And they're magical because they let her see people's hidden thoughts. And she realizes that nothing's like she thought it was.
I really don't want to spoil too much, because this is such a wonderful story to read! Basically she learns that nothing's what it seems and everyone has hidden secrets, even the friends you think you know the best. Or your parents. And the one you think is the bad guy, isn't always. The motives behind people's actions might not be what you think they are. And, the most important thing I should've known when I was growing up: What ever you think about yourself, it may not be what the others thinks.
I have to say that I absolutely adore the picture of Jenny the 7th grader (can be found on her homepage)!
It's about excactly the same as mine! I'm few years younger than Jenny, so in my 7th grade picture I'm not wearing polo shirt, but a flanel shirt. Orange. And brown. And my glasses were a little smaller, since it was year.. umm.. seriously, I can't remember and I'm too lazy to count.
But anyway. I was the girl with the frizzy hair (I do have frizzy hair still, but now I know how to use straightening iron...). I was also 10 cm's (4 inches) taller than any other boy or girl in my class. So yeah, I feel the pain.
I also had louzy best friend, who made me and this other girl compete for her attention, until she found a boyfriend, and me and the other girl became friends. So it was kind of painful to read this book, but painful only because it reminds us, the girls with frizzy hair, what it was like to be that age. Especially when you didn't have magical glasses! Just ordinary ones. And nearly braces *shudder* It's nice to see how someone excactly like you, or me, survives it.
This is the book for all those frizzy haired girls who survived, or will survive, their lives even without the magical glasses!
Love,
Monaliz @ Mind Reading?
October 24, 2016
This book will literally make you worry about what everyone thinks of you. Are they judging what you wore today? Are they laughing about how you did your hair today? Are they judging how you act? These are something’s that Calliope or Callie finds out. Calliope lived a normal life but recently her best friend Ellen is acting weird, her parents are not getting along, and Callie finds out she needs glasses! When the optometrist gives her a pair to borrow, things turn sort of sour right away. Callie first puts them on at school and tiny screens pop up by the people near her. In each screen it shows Callie what they are thinking about. At first Callie thinks her eyes are fooling her, but when she tests it on her best friend, they prove her wrong. What will Callie do with the information that she see's? Will she reveal the glass's magical powers? Or, will Callie keep the information to herself? This story takes you on a roller coaster of middle school reality. It really gives a deep connection with all the changes that happen in life and how they effect the person emotionally and mentally. I love this book and definitely recommend it to people who enjoy a mix of fantasy and reality.
September 14, 2016
I thought the story is one of the cutest and funniest I've read in awhile for a children's story! Callie is your average middle grade girl, she has lot's to learn about herself and needed to learn to have confidence in herself as most girls are growing up. Callie needs to wear glasses and ends up with magic glasses that can read peoples thoughts! With the help of the magic glasses she learns things about people she never realized before and makes new friends along the way. She doesn't see herself as others see her and she makes changes in herself becoming a better person for it. I think this story would be great for all children in middle school to read and learn from. I really enjoyed the story and the character Callie, being it reminded me of girls I knew in school and all the funny things we did at school with friends. I recommend Seeing Cinderella to adults and children who like reading stories that are funny, but also with a learning experience along the way. I won this book for free on a Goodreads Giveway.
April 18, 2015
My 3rd grade daughter loves to read. I have started looking for books now that she would like as she gets older. So when I saw this book posted on FB I bought an e-copy. I thought it was a fun book with a quirky take on the Cinderella story. Callie, a 7th grader soon to start Jr. High, needs glasses. The optometrist gives Callie a pair of special glasses while hers are on backorder. These glasses give her access to the thoughts of those around her. Callie soon finds out this gift isn't always a pleasant thing. Seeing Cinderella has a good message that tween and teen girls need to hear: that everyone is dealing with something in their private life and that shapes how they live their public life. Being able to understand that concept opens your eyes to what people need and makes you able to be a better friend to them. It might help you see yourself more clearly too.
June 2, 2012
I absolutely adored this book! It was such a heartfelt and touching story, and throughout the book the main character Callie learns many morals. The morals also taught me many things, which is fabulous! This was truly one of the best books I've read this year. I'm not the kind of
person to enjoy juvenile fiction(I'm more of the fantasy type), but this was definitely an exception! This book was filled with humor, just the right amount of middle-school romance,friendship, and fun and perky twists! Jenny Lundquist is a professional with words and fantastic story plots! I hope that Jenny releases more books like this one, because it was so great! I rate this 5/5 stars! Perfect read! Loved every bit of it! I recommend this to everyone, no matter how old you are! :) Happy reading!
person to enjoy juvenile fiction(I'm more of the fantasy type), but this was definitely an exception! This book was filled with humor, just the right amount of middle-school romance,friendship, and fun and perky twists! Jenny Lundquist is a professional with words and fantastic story plots! I hope that Jenny releases more books like this one, because it was so great! I rate this 5/5 stars! Perfect read! Loved every bit of it! I recommend this to everyone, no matter how old you are! :) Happy reading!
March 21, 2012
LOVE this book. A spunky heroine armed with only her super freaky magic glasses and a plan: survive middle school.
Callie is a unique lead with a unique voice and I love her. LURVE her! I also fell quite hard for the friends and oft frenemies that play their part in this tale.
The spunk and heart of Seeing Cinderella make it a must read for middle graders and the message is one that we all need to hear.
AND the writing! It's delicious and snarky and fun and touching. Very, very touching.
Read it. Then pass it to your daughter and your daughter's friends and let them read it. Trust me, you'll be glad you did.
Callie is a unique lead with a unique voice and I love her. LURVE her! I also fell quite hard for the friends and oft frenemies that play their part in this tale.
The spunk and heart of Seeing Cinderella make it a must read for middle graders and the message is one that we all need to hear.
AND the writing! It's delicious and snarky and fun and touching. Very, very touching.
Read it. Then pass it to your daughter and your daughter's friends and let them read it. Trust me, you'll be glad you did.
Read
July 27, 2011I was lucky enough to read an advanced reader copy of this book and may just say, in advance, how FABULOUS it is? I loved the main character and the mysterious glasses and the idea that understanding another person's thoughts makes you see them differently. The voice is so perfectly middle grade. Great humor, middle school drama, friendship, character growth, red hots and fairy god mothers--this book has it all!
May 23, 2021
Lighthearted, but maybe too lighthearted. It was very cheesy and sentimental but overall still ok. Some things never got resolved. Even in the epilogue
May 12, 2021
I guess I didn't realize how young this was when I added it to my wish list. Still, it was very cute and if I was in 7th grade, I'm sure I'd have loved it. I'm going to pass it on to a girl who actually is in 7th grade, and hopefully she will enjoy it too.
April 8, 2018
Super cute twist on fairy godmother helping out a middle school girl find her vision
Callie gets some magic glasses that help her see what people think , glasses end up helping her and others
Great story for youth about gaining confidence, the true meaning of friendship
Really fun read
Callie gets some magic glasses that help her see what people think , glasses end up helping her and others
Great story for youth about gaining confidence, the true meaning of friendship
Really fun read
February 6, 2022
This was my favorite book when I was seven. Maybe I could read it now and still enjoy it, who knows.
April 11, 2012
I love it when a book is not only written in a way that readers of all ages will be able to identify with it, but it delivers a great message for it's targeted audience. Jenny Lundquist's debut, Seeing Cinderella is a fun, charming, fast paced read that really struck a chord with me. Though I was never shy like the story's main character Callie, I still got her as a character. I remembered what it was like to be in her shoes at that awkward age in middle school when you're trying to discover who you are, you deal with first crush, you first heart break, you realize there's someone better out there, losing best friends, being made fun of, and making new friends. This line at the beginning of the book really hit home for me,
"I see Ellen making a bunch of friends at middle school. Then I see me' - I pointed to the larger stone- "reading a book or writing a story in my journal."
"Do you find that easier than making new friends?" Dr. Ingram asked.
"Books and journals can't make fun of you or call you names."
Like Callie, at some point you try to realize that there's much more than meets the eye going on around you with your fellow classmates and friends. You realize that it's more than just okay to be who you really are. Callie has a bit of an upper hand in discovering everything that's going on around her. Like Callie, I remember vividly the horror of having to get those big ole' chunky glasses in middle school and how embarrassing it was to have to wear them. Much like Callie's, mine were for reading, but unlike hers, mine didn't allow me to read everyone's thoughts. While that might seem cool at first, after reading Callie's story there's no way I'd want to know what people are thinking, especially in middle school. Anytime Callie has her glasses on she's able to read her friends, teachers and parent's minds. I liked that Callie figures out that her glass it make it extremely easy for her to misinterpret what others are thinking, and there's more going around her than her own problems.
For me what made Callie such a great character is how relatable she is. I enjoyed getting to know her and seeing her change to the girl she becomes by the end of her story. Seeing Cinderella isn't a fairy tale retelling, but it has a lot of fairytale type qualities to it. Jenny's writing is clean cut, encouraging, and the messages she includes through out her story are ones that readers of all ages can take to heart. Aside from Callie, I really liked her Optometrist, who spoke more like a fairy godmother than an eye doctor. He not only teaches Callie a great lesson by lending her the "special" glasses, but he teaches readers something as well. When we first meet him he tells Callie his glasses, "help me see who merely needs eyewear and who requires vision correction." He reminds Callie, "You never know what you'll see when your vision is corrected."
This is one of those books that speaks a lot both with it's words and will have you reading between the lines to pick up on more of what Jenny is really getting across. Seeing Cinderella is a story I really enjoyed, and I'm looking forward to reading more books by Jenny. If you're looking for a wonderful story to spend the afternoon with, I highly recommend picking this one up!
"I see Ellen making a bunch of friends at middle school. Then I see me' - I pointed to the larger stone- "reading a book or writing a story in my journal."
"Do you find that easier than making new friends?" Dr. Ingram asked.
"Books and journals can't make fun of you or call you names."
Like Callie, at some point you try to realize that there's much more than meets the eye going on around you with your fellow classmates and friends. You realize that it's more than just okay to be who you really are. Callie has a bit of an upper hand in discovering everything that's going on around her. Like Callie, I remember vividly the horror of having to get those big ole' chunky glasses in middle school and how embarrassing it was to have to wear them. Much like Callie's, mine were for reading, but unlike hers, mine didn't allow me to read everyone's thoughts. While that might seem cool at first, after reading Callie's story there's no way I'd want to know what people are thinking, especially in middle school. Anytime Callie has her glasses on she's able to read her friends, teachers and parent's minds. I liked that Callie figures out that her glass it make it extremely easy for her to misinterpret what others are thinking, and there's more going around her than her own problems.
For me what made Callie such a great character is how relatable she is. I enjoyed getting to know her and seeing her change to the girl she becomes by the end of her story. Seeing Cinderella isn't a fairy tale retelling, but it has a lot of fairytale type qualities to it. Jenny's writing is clean cut, encouraging, and the messages she includes through out her story are ones that readers of all ages can take to heart. Aside from Callie, I really liked her Optometrist, who spoke more like a fairy godmother than an eye doctor. He not only teaches Callie a great lesson by lending her the "special" glasses, but he teaches readers something as well. When we first meet him he tells Callie his glasses, "help me see who merely needs eyewear and who requires vision correction." He reminds Callie, "You never know what you'll see when your vision is corrected."
This is one of those books that speaks a lot both with it's words and will have you reading between the lines to pick up on more of what Jenny is really getting across. Seeing Cinderella is a story I really enjoyed, and I'm looking forward to reading more books by Jenny. If you're looking for a wonderful story to spend the afternoon with, I highly recommend picking this one up!
May 28, 2012
CHARMING!!! I loved the style of this book and the characters were probably my favorite part. The writing had a very comical twist because at times you just had to burst out laughing at Callie’s awkwardness. If you remember any part of your middle school days then I am sure you can relate to the funny and absurd thoughts that would sometimes enter Callie’s mind. However, she owned her awkwardness! At first she was unsure of whom she was, but I love how Callie realizes that it is perfectly acceptable to have frizzy, disastrous red hair and tons of freckles.
I did not mention this in the video, but I love how Jenny incorporated Callie’s parents into the story. Parents are important for any adolescent or child and here you see firsthand how they have affected Callie’s upbringing. Her Mom and Dad are both very influential pieces to Callie’s large puzzle, but in different forms. Her parents are, at the time, separated and this takes a lot of Callie because she struggles daily trying to make sense of it all. Lundquist hits the nail on the head in adding this detail to her story because many adolescents that are Callie’s age do face problems like Callie does on a daily basis whether it be with their parents, friends, boys, or just trying to grow to accept and appreciate who they really are and who they are becoming.
Callie’s friends were another of my favorite parts of this story. We all know how girls can be; mean, devious, malicious, and downright hateful. Callie faces some trying times and some trying little girls. Her best friend, Ellen, has changed right before her eyes and Callie cannot seem to figure out why she is continually leaving her out in left field while she takes it upon herself to make new friends. Most girls go through stages like this all the time they develop and their likes and interests change so their friendships drift apart. Just another fun twist to Callie’s story! She makes new friends and develops some pretty unlikely romantic interests, but her story is definitely a fast, fun read that will take you straight back to middle school, in a good way (:
For the full review check out my blog: http://dwellinpossibilitybooks.blogsp...
I did not mention this in the video, but I love how Jenny incorporated Callie’s parents into the story. Parents are important for any adolescent or child and here you see firsthand how they have affected Callie’s upbringing. Her Mom and Dad are both very influential pieces to Callie’s large puzzle, but in different forms. Her parents are, at the time, separated and this takes a lot of Callie because she struggles daily trying to make sense of it all. Lundquist hits the nail on the head in adding this detail to her story because many adolescents that are Callie’s age do face problems like Callie does on a daily basis whether it be with their parents, friends, boys, or just trying to grow to accept and appreciate who they really are and who they are becoming.
Callie’s friends were another of my favorite parts of this story. We all know how girls can be; mean, devious, malicious, and downright hateful. Callie faces some trying times and some trying little girls. Her best friend, Ellen, has changed right before her eyes and Callie cannot seem to figure out why she is continually leaving her out in left field while she takes it upon herself to make new friends. Most girls go through stages like this all the time they develop and their likes and interests change so their friendships drift apart. Just another fun twist to Callie’s story! She makes new friends and develops some pretty unlikely romantic interests, but her story is definitely a fast, fun read that will take you straight back to middle school, in a good way (:
For the full review check out my blog: http://dwellinpossibilitybooks.blogsp...
July 30, 2015
Callie is starting 7th grade at a new school. She is ready for a new start. But she finds out she has to get glasses. As if her red frizzy hair and freckles aren't enough, now she has to wear big dorky glasses! But these aren't just any glasses; when she puts them on she sees bubbles over people's heads that show their thoughts. Her glasses let her read people's minds! Suddenly she knows what her best friend, her crush, her mom and everyone else thinks. But knowing what others think isn't always a good thing. Callie must learn to navigate junior high and everything that goes along with it and figure out how to deal with the power of the glasses.
Oh 7th grade, what a terrible time for girls. Your body is changing, your emotions are changing, your friends are changing, suddenly boys become important...Callie does a great job of embodying all I remember about being in 7th grade. Of course, I didn't have magic glasses to tell me what everyone was thinking. Callie has to deal with her best friend who is suddenly not such a good friend afterall. She starts hanging out with new people and taking advantage of Callie. She has to deal with her parents splitting up and her dad not being around. And she has to deal with her new friend Ana who is definitely hiding something from her.
I really enjoyed Callie's journey in this book. She starts out as a very self-conscious loner who is afraid of making friends and talking to new people and ends up more self-assured and confident in who she is. She also learns that you can't always trust your first impressions of people and your true friends are those that act like friends and don't take advantage of you. And she learns that everyone has secrets and no one says exactly what they are thinking. The magic glasses helped her realize all of this but in the end she realized she didn't need the glasses anymore. She had grown enough to live without them. Callie is a very special character and one that was a joy to read about. I highly recommend this book.
Oh 7th grade, what a terrible time for girls. Your body is changing, your emotions are changing, your friends are changing, suddenly boys become important...Callie does a great job of embodying all I remember about being in 7th grade. Of course, I didn't have magic glasses to tell me what everyone was thinking. Callie has to deal with her best friend who is suddenly not such a good friend afterall. She starts hanging out with new people and taking advantage of Callie. She has to deal with her parents splitting up and her dad not being around. And she has to deal with her new friend Ana who is definitely hiding something from her.
I really enjoyed Callie's journey in this book. She starts out as a very self-conscious loner who is afraid of making friends and talking to new people and ends up more self-assured and confident in who she is. She also learns that you can't always trust your first impressions of people and your true friends are those that act like friends and don't take advantage of you. And she learns that everyone has secrets and no one says exactly what they are thinking. The magic glasses helped her realize all of this but in the end she realized she didn't need the glasses anymore. She had grown enough to live without them. Callie is a very special character and one that was a joy to read about. I highly recommend this book.
November 8, 2011
It takes a lot to render me speechless but Seeing Cinderella left me in complete awe. It's been a long time since I read anything from the middle-grade genre but I'm so happy I was offered an advanced review copy of this book because it was brilliant. Lundquist's work is so much more than a simple "fairytale" for young readers. No matter where you live or how old you are, you will be able to relate to this story and its characters.
My favourite was Callie, without any doubts. I loved Callie because she reminded me of myself back in primary school. I didn't have to wear glasses, I didn't have freckles or red frizzy hair, but there were many times when I thought, "I know exactly how she feels". She's a quiet, reserved girl who prefers staying at home and writing stories to socializing and going to school events. She prefers to stay in the background, to stay almost invisible - and that's exactly how I was when I was her age, and maybe how I am even today. In spite of her age, Callie is very smart. I think one of the most powerful and most expressive parts of Callie's story was when Dr. Ingram, the optometrist, asks her whether she finds reading a book or writing a story in her journal easier than making new friends and she says "Books and journals can't make fun of you or call you names".
With its great character development, likeable characters, witty remarks and entertaining dialogues, Seeing Cinderella is definitely something I would recommend to anyone who is looking for an adorable read. It's definitely something I'd give to my children but it's perfect for anyone of any age - so make sure to pick up your own copy, lean back and prepare for something extraordinary. But don't forget to put on your glasses and to read between the lines in order to understand the true meaning of the story: believe me, you'll enjoy every minute of it.
To read my full review, go to http://booksbiscuitsandtea.blogspot.c...
:)
My favourite was Callie, without any doubts. I loved Callie because she reminded me of myself back in primary school. I didn't have to wear glasses, I didn't have freckles or red frizzy hair, but there were many times when I thought, "I know exactly how she feels". She's a quiet, reserved girl who prefers staying at home and writing stories to socializing and going to school events. She prefers to stay in the background, to stay almost invisible - and that's exactly how I was when I was her age, and maybe how I am even today. In spite of her age, Callie is very smart. I think one of the most powerful and most expressive parts of Callie's story was when Dr. Ingram, the optometrist, asks her whether she finds reading a book or writing a story in her journal easier than making new friends and she says "Books and journals can't make fun of you or call you names".
With its great character development, likeable characters, witty remarks and entertaining dialogues, Seeing Cinderella is definitely something I would recommend to anyone who is looking for an adorable read. It's definitely something I'd give to my children but it's perfect for anyone of any age - so make sure to pick up your own copy, lean back and prepare for something extraordinary. But don't forget to put on your glasses and to read between the lines in order to understand the true meaning of the story: believe me, you'll enjoy every minute of it.
To read my full review, go to http://booksbiscuitsandtea.blogspot.c...
:)
March 10, 2016
This book was AMAZING!!! I loved it! It's been awhile since I read a book where the main focus is friendship and Jenny did it so well! While this book is a really fun read it also has very important topics and deals with lots of problems normal people face. I loved the characters in this book, they're so real and relatable (probably because this book is in the Mix: real life, real you, series) I loved the character development we get in the characters, especially Callie's! Watching her become more independent and come out of her shell was a joy to read, especially considering I'm a girl who also struggles with shyness and social-awkwardness. This book deals with the struggle of our inner critic and the serious things we struggle with that we tend to keep to ourselves. This book has inspired me to be more honest with my family and friends and has helped me to realize that we'll all human, and we all have things we struggle with. This book brings to mind one of my favorite quotes "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about." This book is really an eyeopener, it teaches us that even the meanest person has issues and are hurting. It really reminds us to not be judgmental to others and always be kind to everyone. Overall I REALLY recommend this book to people of all ages! Tweens/teens will find it really relatable, while it would also be a good book for adults to read to understand their kids better, especially since this book deals with relationships with our parents. So happy I bought this book!
October 11, 2012
Recommended for gr. 5-9.
Callie is dreading starting 7th grade, and dreading getting glasses for the first time even more. She is given a special pair of extremely dorky looking glasses by an unusual optometrist, and discovers that when she wears them she can see what other people are thinking. This is both good and bad as she struggles with an unpleasant locker-mate, the boy she has a crush on, her best friend, possible new friends, and her absent dad. In the process, she learns that everyone has problems and insecurities, and learns to be herself.
My biggest complaint about this book is that all glasses are portrayed as dorky, and she settles for "the least gross ones". Middle school is an age where many students start needing their vision corrected, and this book will not help them feel less self-conscious. Callie does accept her new glasses as "kind of cute" in the end, but only after wearing the really ugly ones for half of the school year.
Callie is dreading starting 7th grade, and dreading getting glasses for the first time even more. She is given a special pair of extremely dorky looking glasses by an unusual optometrist, and discovers that when she wears them she can see what other people are thinking. This is both good and bad as she struggles with an unpleasant locker-mate, the boy she has a crush on, her best friend, possible new friends, and her absent dad. In the process, she learns that everyone has problems and insecurities, and learns to be herself.
My biggest complaint about this book is that all glasses are portrayed as dorky, and she settles for "the least gross ones". Middle school is an age where many students start needing their vision corrected, and this book will not help them feel less self-conscious. Callie does accept her new glasses as "kind of cute" in the end, but only after wearing the really ugly ones for half of the school year.
April 8, 2012
This book is utterly delightful. When Callie Anderson gets a new pair of glasses the day before she starts middle school, she's astonished to discover that they have magic powers: they let her read other people's thoughts. As Callie navigates her own middle school trauma, each of the girls in her life are also dealing with big issues.
The tone is funny and breezy, the pace is fast, but there is a lot of heart and some very important themes underneath it all. I was reminded (most pleasantly) of Linda Urban's fantastic CROOKED KIND OF PERFECT. I am not surprised this book was selected for the Scholastic Book Club -- it's going to have a legion of fans.
The tone is funny and breezy, the pace is fast, but there is a lot of heart and some very important themes underneath it all. I was reminded (most pleasantly) of Linda Urban's fantastic CROOKED KIND OF PERFECT. I am not surprised this book was selected for the Scholastic Book Club -- it's going to have a legion of fans.
March 27, 2012
I love this book, and I cant wait for my niece to read it! I related to Callie in so many ways. I wish I had this book when I was younger. Middle School was the most insecure and awful experiences of my life. I'm not sure I would want magic glasses to see what everyone else was thinking, but as this book shows....the ability to see doesn't always mean that we truly see things for what they are. Tears could not be held back from many of the things that see faced and laughs couldn't be stifled over the Super Freaky Glasses rules. Love the book Jenny!
July 8, 2013
It was super cute and super relatable. All the friend troubles and fights every teen girl ha had an experience with that. Callie is self conscious and that makes her character more vulnerable. I thought the atmosphere of the book was super cute and I just loved the premise of it. Though predictable at times I still felt everything the characters were going through.
March 27, 2012
Loved this book! The main character is funny and quirky, you can identify with her right away. It's a great book for kids. I will definitely be sharing it with my students!
December 26, 2012
Read Emmas Review Here:
http://readforyourfuture.blogspot.com...
http://readforyourfuture.blogspot.com...
July 31, 2021
Every time I see this book, I remember my younger self reading this book and not only loving it but totally relating to the characters. Although this book had a fantasy element, the heroine and the other characters in this book were very realistic in not only their struggles but also their circumstances.
I have 100% met people like this in real life and sometimes been them myself... Because yes, you do feel that friendship anxiety when you are getting older and you want to to cling on to old friends as that is what is comfortable and safe but not all friends are "forever" friends. Some are just really good "now" friends and I think this book handled that very well. It also documented very well the social anxiety that one gets when we all just want to fit in but are so scared of saying or doing the wrong thing. And also that internal struggle that happens when what you want and what your "best friend" wants are two completely different things.
I loved the mind reading glasses! There were times in which they made me laugh out loud, not just the thoughts but the heroine trying to cover up the fact she was reading their thoughts in the first place!. There were also times in which they made me cry and all I wanted to do was to go inside the book and give someone a hug, show them they are not alone. What I loved most was how in the end, you realized that while reading people's minds sounds awesome at first, its really not all that its cracked up to be.
All in all, FIVE STARS.
I have 100% met people like this in real life and sometimes been them myself... Because yes, you do feel that friendship anxiety when you are getting older and you want to to cling on to old friends as that is what is comfortable and safe but not all friends are "forever" friends. Some are just really good "now" friends and I think this book handled that very well. It also documented very well the social anxiety that one gets when we all just want to fit in but are so scared of saying or doing the wrong thing. And also that internal struggle that happens when what you want and what your "best friend" wants are two completely different things.
I loved the mind reading glasses! There were times in which they made me laugh out loud, not just the thoughts but the heroine trying to cover up the fact she was reading their thoughts in the first place!. There were also times in which they made me cry and all I wanted to do was to go inside the book and give someone a hug, show them they are not alone. What I loved most was how in the end, you realized that while reading people's minds sounds awesome at first, its really not all that its cracked up to be.
All in all, FIVE STARS.
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