Independent reading level: 2nd to 3rd grade

Awards: Spur Story Teller Award, 2001. ( )

This is a western re-telling of the Cinderella story. This version takes place in the old west. Instead of a ball they have a rodeo and a square dance. Instead of a glass slipper, Cindy Ellen has diamond studded spurs. Instead of turning a pumpkin into a carriage she rides in a stage coach. This was a fun and refreshing twist on a common fairytale. ( )

My students and I loved this retelling of the classic Cinderella story. Instead of losing a glass slipper, she loses the diamond spur on one of her boots. The author uses dialogue that is what you would expect from Westerns. The illustrations also help to place you in the time frame and setting of the wild west. I also really liked the author's play on the traditional names from the classic Cinderella book. ( )

Cindy Ellen loses one of her diamonds spurs at the square dance in this wild western retelling of the classic Cinderella story.

It was a very interesting twist on the original Cinderella story. The language is lively through the western word of encouragement and through their sayings and jokes. The author really gets into the western language based on how the characters talk. The illustrations in the story really keep up with the western language. Even the dresses they wore to the rodeo kept with the tradition of the western style. ( )