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My Rotten Stepbrother Ruined Cinderella
Holden, what have you done?! It wasn't enough to ruin Maddie's report on Cinderella, but now you've somehow broken the ACTUAL fairy tale? The ugly stepsister is marrying the prince and there's no happy ever after! You need to fix this and the only way seems to be by entering the story. But beware: if you can't mend it, you can never return...
152 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2017
5 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Mahoney
8 books20 followersJerry Mahoney loves books ― reading them, writing them, and especially ruining them. He has written for and ruined television shows, newspapers, magazines, and the Internet. He is excited to finally be ruining something as beloved as fairy tales. He lives in Los Angeles with his husband, Drew, and their very silly children.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 27, 2019
Як то часто буває, коли сходяться двоє дорослих, то найважче зазвичай звикнути один до одного дітям, які є від попереднього шлюбу. Ось так і для Медді маленькою катастрофою став її зведений брат Голден, який постійно її підколює і все псує, навіть улюблену казку багатьох дівчаток про Попелюшку. Ну бо справді, як це кришталева туфелька змогла налізти лише на одну єдину ногу? Майбутні принцеси що носять якийсь особливий 37,8 розмір? І як взагалі можна забути як виглядає дівчина у яку закохався?
Двоє дітлахів потрапляють у вир подій світу казок і мають врятувати тамтешній світ. Вийшла нестандартна й цікава досить казочка, де все логічніше, ніж у книжці, смішна і з дурнуватими іменами 😂 Не дарма ж автор називає себе руйнівником казочок.
Двоє дітлахів потрапляють у вир подій світу казок і мають врятувати тамтешній світ. Вийшла нестандартна й цікава досить казочка, де все логічніше, ніж у книжці, смішна і з дурнуватими іменами 😂 Не дарма ж автор називає себе руйнівником казочок.
April 16, 2018
Fairy Tale retellings have become popular in recent years and yet I never seem to get tired of them. Maybe it's because each author comes at the story in such a unique way that I never feel that the retellings overlap too much. The thing I found most interesting about this retelling is the way one of the characters (Holden, the rotten stepbrother of the title) points out how little sense the story really makes. I mean, how does the prince really not recognize Cinderella when he meets her again? (I guess this is possible, at least these days, considering how different women can look without their makeup on). Or the even more improbable--only Cinderella's feet can fit the glass slipper? Surprisingly these are not things I've ever thought about before, which is odd because they are really good questions.
But Maddie, the main character, is furious with her stepbrother when he brings these questions up in class after she's given her report. She's absolutely stunned when she realizes that Holden's questions have not only embarrassed her in front of her class, but they have changed the story itself. When she and Holden get pulled into the story, they quickly realize that something isn't right. Instead of Cinderella marrying the prince, one of her stepsisters is marrying the prince because her foot fit the slipper and the prince has a horrible memory for faces. Maddie quickly discovers that it's up to her and Holden to fix the story if Cinderella is to have any hope of a happily ever after.
This beginning book of a new series by Capstone Press makes for a fun, light read. Maddie and Holden make a believable pair of new stepsiblings. And the two perspectives adds some refreshing new looks at an old story. And having Maddie and Holden show up as actual characters in the story works quite well (Holden is a royal guard, Maddie is one of the wicked stepsisters). A fun series that young readers looking for something fairy tale related that's a little different will be bound to enjoy.
But Maddie, the main character, is furious with her stepbrother when he brings these questions up in class after she's given her report. She's absolutely stunned when she realizes that Holden's questions have not only embarrassed her in front of her class, but they have changed the story itself. When she and Holden get pulled into the story, they quickly realize that something isn't right. Instead of Cinderella marrying the prince, one of her stepsisters is marrying the prince because her foot fit the slipper and the prince has a horrible memory for faces. Maddie quickly discovers that it's up to her and Holden to fix the story if Cinderella is to have any hope of a happily ever after.
This beginning book of a new series by Capstone Press makes for a fun, light read. Maddie and Holden make a believable pair of new stepsiblings. And the two perspectives adds some refreshing new looks at an old story. And having Maddie and Holden show up as actual characters in the story works quite well (Holden is a royal guard, Maddie is one of the wicked stepsisters). A fun series that young readers looking for something fairy tale related that's a little different will be bound to enjoy.
February 22, 2018
Maddie and Holden’s adventure in the world of Cinderella will appeal to any middle grade reader who enjoys pretending to be someone else in a different story. Jerry Mahoney appeals to the age of his audience and their fascination with the thought that one person, especially one their age, can change the fate of us all.
Keeping things light and fun, though, Mahoney’s characters mess with popular fairy tales and not the actual course of history. (Though I would argue that changing fairy tales would actually change the course of history, that’s another topic for another day.) Holden can’t handle the more illogical, fantastic elements of Cinderella, and so throws Maddie for a loop when he challenges and actually changes some of the most important parts of her favorite story. The two of them have to get creative and learn to communicate with all kinds of people in order to fix the fairy tale and give Cinderella her happy ending.
This is a fun, light read with definite appeal and not too much difficulty to middle grade readers.
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
Keeping things light and fun, though, Mahoney’s characters mess with popular fairy tales and not the actual course of history. (Though I would argue that changing fairy tales would actually change the course of history, that’s another topic for another day.) Holden can’t handle the more illogical, fantastic elements of Cinderella, and so throws Maddie for a loop when he challenges and actually changes some of the most important parts of her favorite story. The two of them have to get creative and learn to communicate with all kinds of people in order to fix the fairy tale and give Cinderella her happy ending.
This is a fun, light read with definite appeal and not too much difficulty to middle grade readers.
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
January 31, 2018
Eleven-year-old Maddie can't wait to share her favorite story and a diorama she made of Cinderella's wedding with her class at school. That is until her rotten stepbrother Holden ruins everything by poking holes in the story with all his questions, and right in front of the whole class. It's almost as embarrassing as that time he posted a picture of what her hair looks like in the morning online. Even though Holden asked some good questions like "what would happen if the glass slipper fits another woman beside Cinderella? " he didn't have to ruin her presentation. That night, Holden and Maddie also discover Maddie's diorama and an ebook of Cinderella on Holden's tablet have changed, Cinderella's stepsister is now the one marrying the prince and Cinderella's stuck scrubbing the floors. Maddie grabs her copy of the book to see whether all of the stories have changed and as she reads aloud the line "Once upon a time..." they're magically transported into the pages of the story. It's up to them to fix what was broken.
I've always been a huge fan of fairytale retellings and the title of this series, My Rotten Stepbrother Ruined... has such a catching ring it really piqued my interest. Like Maddie, Cinderella is one of my favorite fairytales, and I must say I really enjoyed Mahoney's spin on Cinderella. Cinderella continues to be as kind and patient as I remember, with a sense of grace and poise, but now Maddie's transformed into one of Cinderella's wicked stepsisters, Holden's a foot soldier and Prince Andrew has prosopagnosia (aka difficulty recognizing faces), which amused me to no end. What a mixup they've created. Equipped with only Holden's tablet they take on their new roles as characters from the story and try to get the prince and Cinderella back together again so they can have their happily ever after. But when Cinderella is locked in the dungeon, getting these two together becomes a bit more difficult. I liked that Holden and Maddie act and think like eleven-year-olds, they bicker and disagree as stepsiblings might, but they're also so darn funny. While Holden points out the flaws in the original fairytale, he also realizes that he needs to work with Maddie to fix things or be stuck as a foot soldier. We all knew that Cinderella's stepmother was wicked, but now even she wants to marry the prince. My favorite change though is when the stepsister due to marry Prince Andrew isn't happy about marrying him after all, she'd rather be designing wedding dresses than wearing them. Such an amusing story, and makes for a wonderful comparative/contrast teaching tool for discussing plot and the messaging in the original fairytales.
**In exchange for an honest review, a review copy was received from the author.**
I've always been a huge fan of fairytale retellings and the title of this series, My Rotten Stepbrother Ruined... has such a catching ring it really piqued my interest. Like Maddie, Cinderella is one of my favorite fairytales, and I must say I really enjoyed Mahoney's spin on Cinderella. Cinderella continues to be as kind and patient as I remember, with a sense of grace and poise, but now Maddie's transformed into one of Cinderella's wicked stepsisters, Holden's a foot soldier and Prince Andrew has prosopagnosia (aka difficulty recognizing faces), which amused me to no end. What a mixup they've created. Equipped with only Holden's tablet they take on their new roles as characters from the story and try to get the prince and Cinderella back together again so they can have their happily ever after. But when Cinderella is locked in the dungeon, getting these two together becomes a bit more difficult. I liked that Holden and Maddie act and think like eleven-year-olds, they bicker and disagree as stepsiblings might, but they're also so darn funny. While Holden points out the flaws in the original fairytale, he also realizes that he needs to work with Maddie to fix things or be stuck as a foot soldier. We all knew that Cinderella's stepmother was wicked, but now even she wants to marry the prince. My favorite change though is when the stepsister due to marry Prince Andrew isn't happy about marrying him after all, she'd rather be designing wedding dresses than wearing them. Such an amusing story, and makes for a wonderful comparative/contrast teaching tool for discussing plot and the messaging in the original fairytales.
**In exchange for an honest review, a review copy was received from the author.**
February 10, 2018
I was literally laughing-out-loud by the end of the first page. This modern-day retelling of an old classic is clever and relevant, and sure to strike chords in young readers while they keep the pages turning.
LOVED the little extra bits at the end with the glossary, Think Again section, and the encouraging words from the author written straight to the kids reading it. I cannot wait to add the rest of this series to my collection of mid-grade books.
LOVED the little extra bits at the end with the glossary, Think Again section, and the encouraging words from the author written straight to the kids reading it. I cannot wait to add the rest of this series to my collection of mid-grade books.
April 8, 2018
Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=1...
Everyone! You listening?!?! If you or any of your students are a fan of the Whatever After series, you need to get this for you/them. It is a perfect companion for them! But don’t think that this is just a duplicate of the series, it is similar yet also so different! First, Holden and Maddie already don’t work well together, so going into the fairy tale is not only about fixing the fairy tale but also about fixing their relationship. Second, the fracturing of fairy tales gets even more ridiculous than you can even imagine. Third, Holden and Maddie are in the fairy tales as characters, not as themselves. I will say that both this book and the Mlynowski series looks at the problems in fairy tales and how the stories could be better told to make everyone happy.
(I will say the only “issue” I had was I really don’t like the negative connotation around step-siblings, so calling a step-brother rotten really doesn’t help that idea; however, I do like how Maddie has to learn that her opinion on her stepbrother may not be correct.)
Everyone! You listening?!?! If you or any of your students are a fan of the Whatever After series, you need to get this for you/them. It is a perfect companion for them! But don’t think that this is just a duplicate of the series, it is similar yet also so different! First, Holden and Maddie already don’t work well together, so going into the fairy tale is not only about fixing the fairy tale but also about fixing their relationship. Second, the fracturing of fairy tales gets even more ridiculous than you can even imagine. Third, Holden and Maddie are in the fairy tales as characters, not as themselves. I will say that both this book and the Mlynowski series looks at the problems in fairy tales and how the stories could be better told to make everyone happy.
(I will say the only “issue” I had was I really don’t like the negative connotation around step-siblings, so calling a step-brother rotten really doesn’t help that idea; however, I do like how Maddie has to learn that her opinion on her stepbrother may not be correct.)
July 27, 2020
I'm a sucker for fairytale mashups, but I honestly wasn't expecting much out of this book. A mildly interesting plot, some stepsibling insults, and a bit of rude humor thrown into the mix was all I'd give it credit for. Nothing more. And, yes, the main characters do have a rocky relationship. There is *some* of that type of humor here. And the author's synopsis lived up to its hype. But at the same time, there was so much more than a little relationship drama going on here.
My Rotten Stepbrother Ruined Cinderella tackles the centuries-old inconsistencies in this fairytale in a totally new light. I didn't even pick up on some of its flaws before they mentioned them in the book. Not only is the author's take on Cinderella humorous and lighthearted, but it actually turned out to have wise insights on love. Both the love Cinderella and her prince experienced, and the love that comes with choosing to be a good family. (I'd spoil it for you, but I've done too much of that. :) If you're interested, check it out for yourself!)
I saw a lot of similarities to Sarah Mlynowski's popular fairytale series Whatever After, which is also about a girl and her little brother going into fairytales. However, unlike the Whatever After books, Maddie and Holden struggle to get along. Which gives them room to grow, and room to allow us to cheer them on. And maybe, just maybe, we'll do some growing ourselves while reading.
My Rotten Stepbrother Ruined Cinderella is a new way to look at an old favorite, an encouragement for blended families, and an all-around amazing story. I hope you'll give it a try. Even if you happen to be older than whoever's "meant" to dive into this enchanting adventure.
To read my full review of My Rotten Stepbrother Ruined Cinderella, click here:
https://steppingstonesbookreviews.blo...
My Rotten Stepbrother Ruined Cinderella tackles the centuries-old inconsistencies in this fairytale in a totally new light. I didn't even pick up on some of its flaws before they mentioned them in the book. Not only is the author's take on Cinderella humorous and lighthearted, but it actually turned out to have wise insights on love. Both the love Cinderella and her prince experienced, and the love that comes with choosing to be a good family. (I'd spoil it for you, but I've done too much of that. :) If you're interested, check it out for yourself!)
I saw a lot of similarities to Sarah Mlynowski's popular fairytale series Whatever After, which is also about a girl and her little brother going into fairytales. However, unlike the Whatever After books, Maddie and Holden struggle to get along. Which gives them room to grow, and room to allow us to cheer them on. And maybe, just maybe, we'll do some growing ourselves while reading.
My Rotten Stepbrother Ruined Cinderella is a new way to look at an old favorite, an encouragement for blended families, and an all-around amazing story. I hope you'll give it a try. Even if you happen to be older than whoever's "meant" to dive into this enchanting adventure.
To read my full review of My Rotten Stepbrother Ruined Cinderella, click here:
https://steppingstonesbookreviews.blo...
February 12, 2021
Do you like fairy tales? What is your favorite fairy tale?
It wasn't enough to ruin Maddie's report on Cinderella - her stepbrother, Holden, has somehow broken the ACTUAL fairy tale. The ugly stepsister is marrying the prince, and there's no happy ever after! The only way to fix it is by entering the story. But if Holden and Maddie can't solve the problem, they'll be stuck in the fairy tale world forever.
As long as I can remember, I have loved fairy tales and fairy tale adaptations. I read / watch every version of it as best I can. As soon as I saw this series, I was very excited and wanted to read it immediately.
This book was hilarious. I was literally laughing-out-loud by the end of the first page. I loved how Jerry Mahoney made the original story of Cinderella into one of the most hilarious books I've ever read. I also loved how Jerry Mahoney had Holden, one of the main characters in the book, make so many good points, such as, wouldn't Cinderella have the same shoe size as other people? Why can't the Prince recognize people?
I have just read the first book of the series yet, but even looking at this, I can say that the series is fascinating. I think it is a series that should be in every home. You can take it with peace of mind and read it to yourself and / or your child. I highly recommend it!
/
Masalları sever misiniz? En sevdiğiniz masal hangisi?
Maddie'nin Külkedisi hakkındaki ödevini mahvetmek yeterli değildi - üvey kardeşi Holden bir şekilde GERÇEK peri masalını bozdu. Çirkin üvey kız kardeş prensle evleniyor ve onlar sonsuza dek mutlu olamaz! Bunu düzeltmenin tek yolu hikayeye girmek. Ancak Holden ve Maddie sorunu çözemezse sonsuza kadar peri masalı dünyasında sıkışıp kalacaklar.
Kendimi bildim bileli masalları ve masal uyarlamalarını çok severim. Elimden geldiğince her versiyonlarını okur/izlerim. Bu seriyi de görür görmez büyük bir heyecana kapıldım ve hemen okumak istedim.
Bu kitap çok komikti. İlk sayfanın sonunda tam anlamıyla yüksek sesle gülüyordum. Jerry Mahoney'nin Külkedisi'nin orijinal hikayesini şimdiye kadar okuduğum en komik kitaplardan biri haline getirmesine bayıldım. Kitaptaki ana karakterlerden biri olan Holden’ı Jerry Mahoney'nin bu kadar iyi noktalara değindirmesini de sevdim, mesela Külkedisi diğer insanlarla aynı ayakkabı numarasına sahip olmaz mıydı? Prens neden insanları tanıyamıyor?
Henüz serinin sadece ilk kitabını okudum fakat buna bakarak bile serinin büyüleyici olduğunu söyleyebilirim. Bence her evde olması gereken bir seri. Gönül rahatlığıyla alabilir kendiniz ve/veya çocuğunuza okuyabilirsiniz. Kesinlikle tavsiye ederim!
It wasn't enough to ruin Maddie's report on Cinderella - her stepbrother, Holden, has somehow broken the ACTUAL fairy tale. The ugly stepsister is marrying the prince, and there's no happy ever after! The only way to fix it is by entering the story. But if Holden and Maddie can't solve the problem, they'll be stuck in the fairy tale world forever.
As long as I can remember, I have loved fairy tales and fairy tale adaptations. I read / watch every version of it as best I can. As soon as I saw this series, I was very excited and wanted to read it immediately.
This book was hilarious. I was literally laughing-out-loud by the end of the first page. I loved how Jerry Mahoney made the original story of Cinderella into one of the most hilarious books I've ever read. I also loved how Jerry Mahoney had Holden, one of the main characters in the book, make so many good points, such as, wouldn't Cinderella have the same shoe size as other people? Why can't the Prince recognize people?
I have just read the first book of the series yet, but even looking at this, I can say that the series is fascinating. I think it is a series that should be in every home. You can take it with peace of mind and read it to yourself and / or your child. I highly recommend it!
/
Masalları sever misiniz? En sevdiğiniz masal hangisi?
Maddie'nin Külkedisi hakkındaki ödevini mahvetmek yeterli değildi - üvey kardeşi Holden bir şekilde GERÇEK peri masalını bozdu. Çirkin üvey kız kardeş prensle evleniyor ve onlar sonsuza dek mutlu olamaz! Bunu düzeltmenin tek yolu hikayeye girmek. Ancak Holden ve Maddie sorunu çözemezse sonsuza kadar peri masalı dünyasında sıkışıp kalacaklar.
Kendimi bildim bileli masalları ve masal uyarlamalarını çok severim. Elimden geldiğince her versiyonlarını okur/izlerim. Bu seriyi de görür görmez büyük bir heyecana kapıldım ve hemen okumak istedim.
Bu kitap çok komikti. İlk sayfanın sonunda tam anlamıyla yüksek sesle gülüyordum. Jerry Mahoney'nin Külkedisi'nin orijinal hikayesini şimdiye kadar okuduğum en komik kitaplardan biri haline getirmesine bayıldım. Kitaptaki ana karakterlerden biri olan Holden’ı Jerry Mahoney'nin bu kadar iyi noktalara değindirmesini de sevdim, mesela Külkedisi diğer insanlarla aynı ayakkabı numarasına sahip olmaz mıydı? Prens neden insanları tanıyamıyor?
Henüz serinin sadece ilk kitabını okudum fakat buna bakarak bile serinin büyüleyici olduğunu söyleyebilirim. Bence her evde olması gereken bir seri. Gönül rahatlığıyla alabilir kendiniz ve/veya çocuğunuza okuyabilirsiniz. Kesinlikle tavsiye ederim!
May 31, 2018
* Thank you to #KidLitExchange for a chance to read this book. All opinions are my own.
This is actually one book within a series written for kids by Jerry Mahoney that is fun and very tongue in cheek. Each book features Maddie and her stepbrother, Holden, and in each book they accidentally "break" a fairy tale and must fix it. In this particular book, Maddie has done a report on her favorite story of all time, Cinderella. Holden insults her project at home and then questions the holes in the story itself during Maddie's class presentation. Unwittingly, this actually changes the story and has one of Cinderella's stepsisters marrying the prince instead of her and as Maddie starts to read "once upon a time," the pair get sucked into the story.
Holden makes some good points when he knit-picks the originally Cinderella. How did she walk home with one shoe and not completely damage her feet? How is it that no one else could fit their foot into her shoe? How could the pair have danced all night and yet the prince was unable to recognize her? Jerry Mahoney also takes a look at the members of Cinderella's family. Why do they want to marry the prince so badly? What do they really want out of life? In this book, the sister marrying the prince wants to go to art school and design clothing. There is also the question of why the stepsisters hate Cinderella so much. It all comes back to their mother and when given the chance to see that kindness and teamwork feels better than cruelty and selfishness, the sisters change. Of course, they manage to bring back Cinderella's happily ever after and return home.
In addition to the story, it is a great idea to encourage kids to look at classic stories and think how they might re-imagine them. In the back of this book, Jerry Mahoney encourages kids to do just that! Mahoney ends this book with a note to kids about how to go about writing their own version. I particularly like the fact that he says to pick "a story that you love." When you do, you can never really "ruin" it, you just make everyone appreciate the original even more and perhaps find a way to change the way people think about it.
This is actually one book within a series written for kids by Jerry Mahoney that is fun and very tongue in cheek. Each book features Maddie and her stepbrother, Holden, and in each book they accidentally "break" a fairy tale and must fix it. In this particular book, Maddie has done a report on her favorite story of all time, Cinderella. Holden insults her project at home and then questions the holes in the story itself during Maddie's class presentation. Unwittingly, this actually changes the story and has one of Cinderella's stepsisters marrying the prince instead of her and as Maddie starts to read "once upon a time," the pair get sucked into the story.
Holden makes some good points when he knit-picks the originally Cinderella. How did she walk home with one shoe and not completely damage her feet? How is it that no one else could fit their foot into her shoe? How could the pair have danced all night and yet the prince was unable to recognize her? Jerry Mahoney also takes a look at the members of Cinderella's family. Why do they want to marry the prince so badly? What do they really want out of life? In this book, the sister marrying the prince wants to go to art school and design clothing. There is also the question of why the stepsisters hate Cinderella so much. It all comes back to their mother and when given the chance to see that kindness and teamwork feels better than cruelty and selfishness, the sisters change. Of course, they manage to bring back Cinderella's happily ever after and return home.
In addition to the story, it is a great idea to encourage kids to look at classic stories and think how they might re-imagine them. In the back of this book, Jerry Mahoney encourages kids to do just that! Mahoney ends this book with a note to kids about how to go about writing their own version. I particularly like the fact that he says to pick "a story that you love." When you do, you can never really "ruin" it, you just make everyone appreciate the original even more and perhaps find a way to change the way people think about it.
June 24, 2018
Thank you @kidlitexchange for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This was such a fun chapter book. I’m a huge fan of fractured fairytales and retellings. I’ve mostly read this genre under young adult or picture books, but this is geared towards middle grade. Maddie has a huge obsession with the popular story of Cinderella. She can’t wait to present a report about it at school. The only problem is her stepbrother, Holden, brings up some pretty valid questions about the tale during class. Not only does this infuriate Maddie, but it magically changes the actual storyline. The two find themselves transferred into the pages of the book where they will have to make several corrections in order for Cinderella to have her happily ever after.
This book is full of clever imagination and non-stop humor. It was incredibly entertaining and full of numerous moments that make you wonderful why you’ve never questioned these ideas before. The prince cracked me up. I love that Mahoney played with the idea of him having face amnesia. Seriously, how can you not recognize the face of your one true love after spending a magical evening together. The characters, their interactions and the pace of the story all flowed so well together making this a very enjoyable, quick read. I can see this being an instant hit for many kids as well as teachers who are studying fairytales or writing. The author included some wonderful tips at the end explaining how you could start to imagine certain twists to your favorite stories in order to create your own unique retellings.
I can’t wait to share this one with my daughter. She will definitely love the sense of humor and I will love the fact that it introduces her to being inquisitive and creative when it comes to writing her own stories. I’m excited to see that this book is in a series. The step-siblings will visit Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Snow White.
This was such a fun chapter book. I’m a huge fan of fractured fairytales and retellings. I’ve mostly read this genre under young adult or picture books, but this is geared towards middle grade. Maddie has a huge obsession with the popular story of Cinderella. She can’t wait to present a report about it at school. The only problem is her stepbrother, Holden, brings up some pretty valid questions about the tale during class. Not only does this infuriate Maddie, but it magically changes the actual storyline. The two find themselves transferred into the pages of the book where they will have to make several corrections in order for Cinderella to have her happily ever after.
This book is full of clever imagination and non-stop humor. It was incredibly entertaining and full of numerous moments that make you wonderful why you’ve never questioned these ideas before. The prince cracked me up. I love that Mahoney played with the idea of him having face amnesia. Seriously, how can you not recognize the face of your one true love after spending a magical evening together. The characters, their interactions and the pace of the story all flowed so well together making this a very enjoyable, quick read. I can see this being an instant hit for many kids as well as teachers who are studying fairytales or writing. The author included some wonderful tips at the end explaining how you could start to imagine certain twists to your favorite stories in order to create your own unique retellings.
I can’t wait to share this one with my daughter. She will definitely love the sense of humor and I will love the fact that it introduces her to being inquisitive and creative when it comes to writing her own stories. I’m excited to see that this book is in a series. The step-siblings will visit Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Snow White.
July 4, 2018
My Rotten Stepbrother Ruined Cinderella
by Jerry Mahoney
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book — all opinions are my own.
*
What a fun read! I literally read this in an afternoon after finishing a darker fairy tale, and this was such a great refresher to bring me back to the optimistic and awe-inspiring nature of fairy tales. I actually found myself laughing out loud at the quick and clever dialogue between the two main characters (who happen to be step-siblings).
When Maddie’s stepbrother, Holden, ruins her class presentation on Cinderella, she’s upset. When Holden wakes her up in the middle of the night to show her that his comments ruined the happily-ever-after in her favorite story, she is downright MAD. After Maddie and Holden are whisked away into the story, it’s up to them to set things right, but can two fifth-graders defeat a nasty step-mother? One thing is certain, Maddie is not going to let her favorite fairy tale go without a fight.
I absolutely loved this story! I recommend it for any/all fairy tale fans. Jerry Mahoney does a great job writing in a way that draws both male and female readers in and holds on to them until the very end!
by Jerry Mahoney
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book — all opinions are my own.
*
What a fun read! I literally read this in an afternoon after finishing a darker fairy tale, and this was such a great refresher to bring me back to the optimistic and awe-inspiring nature of fairy tales. I actually found myself laughing out loud at the quick and clever dialogue between the two main characters (who happen to be step-siblings).
When Maddie’s stepbrother, Holden, ruins her class presentation on Cinderella, she’s upset. When Holden wakes her up in the middle of the night to show her that his comments ruined the happily-ever-after in her favorite story, she is downright MAD. After Maddie and Holden are whisked away into the story, it’s up to them to set things right, but can two fifth-graders defeat a nasty step-mother? One thing is certain, Maddie is not going to let her favorite fairy tale go without a fight.
I absolutely loved this story! I recommend it for any/all fairy tale fans. Jerry Mahoney does a great job writing in a way that draws both male and female readers in and holds on to them until the very end!
September 13, 2017
This is the first in a series of clever, imaginative and truly funny stories about two step siblings who get thrust into the world of tried-and-true fairy tales that young readers know all too well thanks to the Disneyfication of our youth.
Now before I get into my review, first, a confession: the author is my husband. Now another confession: that usually means I'm also his toughest critic.
Now that *that's* out of the way, I can say with my hand on a stack of bibles, that Jerry's new series of books is something I would recommend to any family -- there is something for all ages to enjoy, just like the classic Looney Tunes or the original Muppet Show. Levels of humor that are appreciated by different age groups -- and that makes these books incredibly fun and unexpected.
Of course you remember the laughs of those old Fractured Fairy Tales from in between Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons. But by placing young Maddie and her 'rotten' stepbrother, Holden, into these stories, young readers have the chance to see themselves in these timeless stories, and with each hurdle Jerry puts the kids through, you get to see the genius and the inherent flaws in the original fairy tales.
Written with crisp, clever, wry humor -- adults will appreciate the breaking down of gender and class roles -- and kids will laugh at the predicaments, usually caused by the wise cracking stepbrother.
Start with Cinderella, and I guarantee you will be hooked through the entire series.
And if you disagree, you can call out my biases in your own review.
Now before I get into my review, first, a confession: the author is my husband. Now another confession: that usually means I'm also his toughest critic.
Now that *that's* out of the way, I can say with my hand on a stack of bibles, that Jerry's new series of books is something I would recommend to any family -- there is something for all ages to enjoy, just like the classic Looney Tunes or the original Muppet Show. Levels of humor that are appreciated by different age groups -- and that makes these books incredibly fun and unexpected.
Of course you remember the laughs of those old Fractured Fairy Tales from in between Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons. But by placing young Maddie and her 'rotten' stepbrother, Holden, into these stories, young readers have the chance to see themselves in these timeless stories, and with each hurdle Jerry puts the kids through, you get to see the genius and the inherent flaws in the original fairy tales.
Written with crisp, clever, wry humor -- adults will appreciate the breaking down of gender and class roles -- and kids will laugh at the predicaments, usually caused by the wise cracking stepbrother.
Start with Cinderella, and I guarantee you will be hooked through the entire series.
And if you disagree, you can call out my biases in your own review.
March 5, 2023
Люблю вдалі переповідки казок, що заглядають трохи далі ніж «перевдягнемо персонажів і досить», і ця книга — одна з таких.
Медді та її зведений брат Голден через капосність останнього потрапляють в реальність «Попелюшки», в якій принц збирається одружитися зі старшою дочкою мачухи. Крім того, що це «не за каноном» (чого не може винести Медді, адже «Попелюшка» її улюблена казка), така альтернатива впливає і на зведених сіблінгів, які, схоже, застрягли у казковому світі, поки все не виправлять (а це вже нестерпне для Голдена).
Простенька історія, що, однак, дає гарні перші кроки до критичного мислення: чи так вже добре бути казковою принцесою? Чому принц не впізнав обличчя Попелюшки?
А ще вчить об'єднуватися та допомагати одне одному, не забиваючи цю думку в голову кувалдою.
Медді та її зведений брат Голден через капосність останнього потрапляють в реальність «Попелюшки», в якій принц збирається одружитися зі старшою дочкою мачухи. Крім того, що це «не за каноном» (чого не може винести Медді, адже «Попелюшка» її улюблена казка), така альтернатива впливає і на зведених сіблінгів, які, схоже, застрягли у казковому світі, поки все не виправлять (а це вже нестерпне для Голдена).
Простенька історія, що, однак, дає гарні перші кроки до критичного мислення: чи так вже добре бути казковою принцесою? Чому принц не впізнав обличчя Попелюшки?
А ще вчить об'єднуватися та допомагати одне одному, не забиваючи цю думку в голову кувалдою.
January 14, 2018
Thoughts: This book was hilarious. Every single page made me laugh out loud. I loved how Jerry Mahoney made the stiff story of Cinderella into one of the most hilarious books I've ever read. I also loved how Jerry Mahoney had Holden, one of the main characters in the book, make so many good points, such as, wouldn't Cinderella have the same shoe size as other people? Why can't the Prince recognize people? and others. Overall, I loved, loved, loved this super funny book.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
July 27, 2024
Fun adaptation, I like the new version and the prince having no facial recognition for others. I loved the way he had Cinderella present herself in the story. I like that Maddie and Holden worked together and tried to like each other for the sake of the story.
February 19, 2023
Maddie’s stepbrother Holden is the worst stepbrother ever! Maddie had to create an artwork and give a speech about Cinderella to her class and Holden wanted to make sure that it is a disaster. But Holden ends up helping Maddie.
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