“Here’s a fast-paced, riveting adventure story for young fantasy fans to enjoy, right down to its ‘happily ever after’ ending” —ALA Booklist

“Kathy Lasky embellishes and burnishes the time-honored tropes of the Cinderella tale with her customary clarity of storytelling and novelty of invention. Glass sparkles.” —Gregory Maguire, New York Times bestselling author of Wicked

Newbery Honoree and New York Times bestselling author of the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series Kathryn Lasky delivers an enchanting prequel to the Cinderella story from the perspective of a young fairy godmother.

In a grand glass house, there was a girl named Bess whose power would, one day, change the fate of her family. . . Bess Wickham has always felt like a bit of an outcast among her family of extraordinary glassblowers, but then an immense, magical power that’s lain dormant in her bloodline begins to emerge. So, when she suspects her family’s business has taken a sinister turn, Bess must find the strength to defeat dark magic and save a certain cinder girl. But will she shatter under the weight of such evil or get her happily ever after?

From Newbery Honor–winning author Kathryn Lasky comes a captivating Cinderella companion, with enchanting spells and endearing animal friendships, reminding us that we have the power to forge our own happy endings.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!

• A Magical Fairy Tale Retelling: Before she was a godmother, she was a girl named Bess. Discover the enchanting story of the woman who would one day help Cinderella find her own magic.
• Dark Magic and Dangerous Secrets: Bess’s family are renowned glassblowers, but their beautiful creations hide a terrible power that traps living souls in crystal.
• Enchanting Animal Companions: From a wise owl named Ulli to a loyal wolf pack, Bess finds her true family in the forest among friends who help her on her quest.
• A High-Stakes Fantasy Adventure: To save a cinder girl and break her family’s curse, Bess must embrace her own power in a classic battle of good versus evil.