Stepsister

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Year: 2019

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A startling, fiercely feminist re-imagining of Cinderella from bestselling, award-winning author Jennifer Donnelly.

The Story

Isabelle should be blissfully happy – she’s about to win the handsome prince. Except Isabelle isn’t the beautiful girl who lost the glass slipper and captured the prince’s heart. She’s the ugly stepsister who’s cut off her toes to fit into Cinderella’s shoe … which is now filling with blood.

When the prince discovers Isabelle’s deception, she is turned away in shame. It’s no more than she deserves: she is a plain girl in a world that values beauty; a feisty girl in a world that wants her to be pliant.

Isabelle has tried to fit in. To live up to her mother’s expectations. To be like her stepsister. To be sweet. To be pretty. One by one, she has cut away pieces of herself in order to survive a world that doesn’t appreciate a girl like her. And that has made her mean, jealous, and hollow.

  • "Printz Honor winner Donnelly offers up a stunningly focused story that rips into the heart of familiar fairy tale. Isabelle [is] a shattered but not unreedemable girl with a warrior's heart."

    Booklist (Starred Review)  
  • "Isabelle's emotional and triumphant journey of self-realization proves that beauty can be found in so much more than just a pretty face . . . A breathlessly exciting and utterly satisfying fairy tale."

    Kirkus Reviews  
  • "Focusing on beauty’s many guises, what contributes to hatred and cruelty, and people’s power to take charge of their destinies, the retold fairy tale advocates autonomy and empowerment."

    Publishers Weekly 

At least, that’s what she believes until she encounters an elderly widow and a roguish marquis—and finds herself an unwitting pawn in an eternal disagreement. The widow – cold, cynical Fate – contends that an ugly girl with so much bitterness in her heart can never change her destiny. Chance – the dashing, mysterious marquis – believes that Isabelle can chart her own course no matter what stands in her way. And he intends to prove it.

Evoking the darker, earlier versions of the Cinderella story, bestselling author Jennifer Donnelly shows us that ugly is in the eye of the beholder, and uses her trademark wit and wisdom to send an overlooked character on a journey toward empowerment, redemption, and a new definition of beauty.
 

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The Inspiration

I have a soft spot for the fairy tale villains.

I recognize the villains. I know them. They’re like me. OK, to a point — I mean, I’ve never ordered my huntsman to cut out anyone’s heart … at least, not yet — but, like me, villains have their share of character flaws.

For all their supernatural powers, villains are very human. They’re selfish. Impatient. Angry. Governed by their appetites. They’re too loud. Too pushy. They want things they’re not supposed to want. Prestige. Palaces. Power. And the odd puppyfur coat.

Sleeping Beauty was one of my favorite fairy tales when I was a child and Maleficent was one of my favorite villains. I loved her horns and her long red nails. The future egomaniacal writer in me loved that when she spoke, the party stopped. Everyone listened. Her words carried weight.

Stepsister Video Library

The story, the characters, the themes, readings, and more ...

I felt bad for her, too. I knew why she acted up – the king and queen threw a party and they didn’t invite her and it made her angry. I knew what that felt like. When I was little, my best friend lived right next door to me. We played together all the time. Our houses shared one wall and we shared one heart. Or so I thought. Until the day my BFF had another little girl over to play and wouldn’t let me join them. They went into her house and shut the door and left me outside by myself. Did I accept my heartbreak like a good heroine, with a song in my heart and a bluebird on my shoulder? Hell no. I marched to the grassy spot under my former best friend’s bedroom window and I…let…loose. I raged. I called down curses on my friend’s head. Vowed a dark and dire revenge. Stomped around like some pint-sized King Lear. I carried on so long and so loudly, that finally her mother called my mother and my mother grabbed hold of me and made me come inside.

Maleficent would have been very impressed.

There was another fairy tale I loved even more than Sleeping Beauty: Cinderella. When I was five or six, I had a Golden Book version of the story, illustrated by Retta Scott, that fascinated me.

But not because of Cinderella.

I liked Cinderella and I felt really sorry for her, but I didn’t identify with her. She was nothing like me. She was always good, always kind. I wasn’t. She had dainty feet. I didn’t. No matter how bad her life got, she kept smiling. She smiled with a tray in each hand and one on her head as well. She smiled when she was churning butter. She smiled when she cooked and cleaned. She was still smiling on the last page of the book, when she’d ended up married to the prince – a guy who looked older than my dad. This I did not understand.

I understood her ugly stepsisters, though. And they were the characters that fascinated me. Like me, the stepsisters were gawky and awkward and lacking in the self-control department. They were often jealous and rude. So was I. They hated chores and liked to sleep in. So did I.

I remember my grandmother reading that story to me, and I remember knowing — by the time we hit the middle — just how things were going to break. It was clear, even to my child’s mind, that the balance of power was going to shift, bigtime — and Cinderella was going to win.

 

My first Cinderella was ALWAYS smiling — no matter what odious chore she was doing. So unlike me.

She had to. After all, the stepsisters were ugly.

And Cinderella? She was beautiful.

And even five-year-olds know that beauty always wins.

Sure enough, Cinderella triumphed. She got her man and left her hard life behind. But long after my grandmother closed that book – days after, years after – it was never Cinderella I was thinking about. It was her stepsisters.

What happened to them? To Disney’s Anastasia and Drizella? To the girls in the older versions of the story, who had wanted the prince so badly, or were told to want him, that they’d hacked off pieces of themselves to get him?

What had it been like for them to always be second best? Less than? Lacking? If it happened to you, would you bear up under that pain nobly, with grace and fortitude? Or would you throw fits, like me?

I’ve always wondered if the stepsisters were sorry for the way they behaved, or not. Did they marry? Maybe they made up with Cinderella and lived in the palace. Maybe they became dusty old recluses. Or left the country. Or started a business selling plus-size shoes.

Last year, after a lifetime of wondering, I decided I finally had to find out.

Why now? What pushed me? I’m not entirely sure.

Maybe it was writing my middle grade novel Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book and spending time in the company of another ugly creature, the Beast. Maybe it was writing a section of Fatal Throne, a book about the wives of Henry VIII, and spending months with my character, Anne of Cleves – the one Henry divorced because he found her unattractive.

Or maybe it was the time spent with my fourteen-year-old daughter, who was — and is — learning the hard way that she is judged not just by her intelligence or her sunny disposition or her kind, generous spirit — but also by her looks.

So with this unlikely trio of allies – the Beast, Anne of Cleves, and my daughter Daisy – as muses, I delved back into Cinderella. My little Golden Book is long gone (though it is still available to purchase, if you’re interested), but I found Retta Scott’s pictures online. I reread the Grimm Brothers’ version of the tale. And Charles Perrault’s.

Decades have passed since I sat in my grandmother’s lap, listening as she gave me the news, as I’m sure she’d been given the news, that the way for girls to survive in this world is to be pretty and good. Mild, accepting, self-sacrificing, obedient, long-suffering, and compliant. I wanted to find out how it had gone for the stepsisters, for two girls who weren’t any of those things. I was hoping they might tell me.

I’m happy to say that one of them did.

Her name is Isabelle. She’s the younger of the two stepsisters. She’s not pretty, good, or compliant. Not at all. There’s a backstory to her bad behavior. There are reasons why she became jealous and mean. Some that she’s aware of. One that she’s not.

Spending time with her got me thinking about the notion of beauty, and who gets to define it. Isabelle made me look at the idea of happy endings and who deserves them. As I discovered her story, I saw how all too often, we believe what others tell us we are. We let their words define us and direct us. We take the poison apple they offer us and bite right into it.

What Isabelle’s story showed me, and what I hope it shows my readers, is that beauty is more than someone else’s assessment of you. It’s the passion that burns inside of you, it’s your strength and your courage.

Isabelle showed me, and I hope she’ll show my readers, too, that there’s a way to refuse that poison apple. A way for them to fight the tyranny of Likes and Follows and Rates. A way to stop letting magazines and social media tell them who’s beautiful, to start defining beauty for themselves, and most important of all, a way to find beauty in themselves.

It’s a big wish on my part, and maybe a tall order for one book, but we villains are a determined bunch and there’s nothing we like more than a fight.

I can’t wait to share Isabelle’s story with you.

Stepsister is published in 22 markets/lanugages around the world … and counting!

Buy Stepsister Online

Buy now from Amazon, B&N, or your local independent bookstore!

69 comments

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      So do I! But it has been optioned for development so let’s keep our fingers crossed that we’ll see something on screen soon!

  1. Amber says:

    This book changed the course of my life, thank you! My whole life it feels like people are constantly telling us who we are as people at that affects how we see ourselves and what we do. You are an incredible writer, thanks for writing this masterpiece.

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      Thank you, Amber! So glad Stepsister resonated with you – and I hope you always define beauty on your own terms!

  2. Hannah Crawford says:

    I loved this book so much. I’ve read it twice now, and each time I fell in love with all the characters. I fell in love with Felix, Isobelle’s love interest, and I compare every guy with him, lol. The character developments with all the characters are the best, and the storyline is amazing. I just got Poisoned, and I am so excited to see what this book is about.

  3. Landon says:

    I really loved Step Sister! Do you think I would like Poisoned? I’m 11 and I loved Step Sister I wouldn’t know to read poisoned unless it was by someone else who has read it..

  4. Kyoshiforever says:

    This book is incredible! We were doing a book review in front of our class and I wouldn’t choose any other book. I love twisted tales and Poisoned, Lost in a book and Stepsister are the best ones I’ve ever read! I loved the Waterfire saga and I have just bought stepsister and it was incredible!

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      I’m glad you loved Stepsister, Kaydee! (You might also be interested in Poisoned, which was just released today!)

      As for the Carnegie Medal, no, Stepsister was nominated, but didn’t win. Revolution was also nominated, but didn’t win. A Northern Light (A Gathering Light in the UK) did win … so I guess I’m one for three!

  5. Esme says:

    This book was given to me as a school assignment, and we got the book on a Friday. Our teacher told us not to start the book until Monday and that we’d have 3 weeks to finish the book. However, being the bookworm I am, I started reading the book the day I got it and finished it Sunday. During the 3 weeks, I probably read the book 4 times, plus I had to go back for evidence when writing book reports. I absolutely love this book and totally recommend it! Can’t wait to read poisoned =]

  6. Isabelle Ruffo Wiley? says:

    Hi Jennifer, I really injoyed your book I read it this summer and finished in one day loved it so much I reread it the very next day, I finished it the very same day! I’ve just finished rereading it again. I’ve been counting down the days t’ill poisoned comes out! Can’t wait!

  7. Elizabeth Barrett says:

    Wow! STEPSISTER is a breathtaking, gorgeous read! I’ve gushed about it on Goodreads and Amazon and wanted to stop by your site and let you know how much I enjoyed the book; thank you for writing it. I just finished the audio version and plan to purchase a hard copy for my library. Also, I appreciate the nuanced picture you painted of blended family life. Looking forward to reading POISONED!
    Best wishes,
    Elizabeth of Arizona

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      Wow, thank you Elizabeth of Arizona!! So happy you enjoyed Stepsister, and I hope you like Poisoned enough to gush about it, too! (Stay tuned — lots of promotional tidbits from Poisoned coming up between now and its release on October 20!)

  8. I. Stewart says:

    Hi Jennifer! Just wanted to tell you how much I LOVE this book. I just started it for the 2nd time last night.
    I’m super looking forward to “Poisoned!”

  9. Lisa Kulasalu says:

    Hello Jennifer,
    I begrudgingly read your book as it was a study requirement, but I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it!
    It has made me question fate, chance and ‘the heart’, the origins and ideologies behind them. Also, Isabelle rocks!

  10. Mj Cipriano says:

    Hi Jennifer! I’m your fan since I was on 8th Grade! And I’m currently in 11th Grade. I just wanna ask for advice, I can’t find any of your books, even the old ones here in the Philippines ? I only have 2 of your books which are These Shallow Graves and Revolution. And shipping from US is very expensive, I’m still just a student ?? Do you have any advice on how can I find your books, I’m looking for ages. Thank you so much!

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      Hi Mj: Glad you’re enjoying my books! I’m not sure where to find them in the Philippines … but if you have a library near you, that’s always a good place to try. Or maybe you can buy e-books online on Amazon or B&N or the equivalent where you are — no shipping fees involved! Good luck!

  11. Elle says:

    Hi Jennifer! This book is amazing; it definitely portrays some of society today and it was a great inspiration!

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      So glad you like it, Elle! As to your question, I’m always writing! My new book, PoisonedPoisoned, will be out in October! Check it out … if you liked Stepsister, I think you’ll like Poisoned, too!

  12. Sellers says:

    Hi Jennifer, Im 12 and i loved your book, i gave it to my mom to read but she hasn’t yet. i think that you are an amazing writer and i hope you keep inspiring girls all around the world to write, you certainly inspired me. i really hope you keep writing and i want to read more of your book’s.

  13. Emily Oakey says:

    When I brought this book from my local supermarket I felt like I had to hide it because it’s not aimed at my age genre. Now I have read it I can’t stop talking about it! This book is the best I have ever read. I nearly leapt out of my chair in the last few chapters wanting to storm to war with Isabelle. Thank you for writing such an inspiring story.

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      Thank you for the lovely note, Emily! Stepsister is classified as a young adult book, but I wrote it (and all my books) for a broader audience. Glad it spoke to you!

  14. Scott VanHook says:

    Ok. Well. I suppose I should chime in for the male part of the population. The male and “old” adult as well!
    I’m sure I’m not your typical reader. However, having a wife who’s a 6th grade literacy teacher, I’m asked/challenged to read books I would’ve considered far from the realm of what you’d consider “normal” for a 52 year old wildland firefighter!
    YA has become one of my favorite genres, thanks to her!
    And I have to say, I absolutely LOVED Stepsister. I couldn’t wait for my wife to read it after I finished!!
    The overcoming of disabilities, fantasy, fighting, it was fantastic!! I found myself unable to put it down, needing to see what Isabelle was going to do next!
    Oh! The carving presented to her??? Mind. Blown. ?

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      Thank you, Scott! So glad Isabelle blew your mind — she amazes and inspires me, too! And I’m with you on YA — I have grown quite partial to it myself!!

  15. Malik Hopkins says:

    Can I honestly say this was one of my favorite fairy tale reimaginings. I did not want to put the book down. I loved all of the characters and honestly feel like reading it again. This was by far in my top ten of fairy tale retellings. And of course Cinderella is my all time favorite tale to read. Besides Snow White and the Little Mermaid. I have a collection of old Cinderella books going back as far as 1945. And an even larger collection of fairy tale reimaginings. If you write a part two, I am so there. Thank you so much for this masterpiece. You are now added to my list of favorite authors. ??????

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      Thank you, Malik! I think you might be interested in what I’m working on right now (stay tuned for an announcement soon!!) …

      • Malik K. Hopkins says:

        OMG!!!!! During this time of darkness, you have really brought the light with your next book. Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!! I hope that I didn’t ruin any surprise. I just happened to be browsing on Amazon and looking for my next book to read and I came across a book called POISONED with my favorite author’s name on it. ??? The cover is of a broken apple. Pretty much like shattered glass, which in my head, is a representation of a so called magic mirror. I could be wrong though. Not to mention the title. Snow White perhaps? ??? I appreciate you so much and your writing. You keep surprising me. Thank you again. I can’t wait until October but I will. ???????????? ????

        • Jennifer Donnelly says:

          No, you didn’t spoil anything — and you’re very perceptive: Poisoned is indeed a retelling of Snow White!! I just updated my website page for it — click here to read it! I hope you tell me what you think when you read it in October!!

  16. Tracey Loller says:

    I absolutely loved Step Sister – it was so beautifully written, with really fun and clever characters. I was surprised at how quickly I took to Isabella and Tavi and wanted them to realise the best in themselves. The book is a good reminder that we are capable of anything and we should trust our instincts.

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      And don’t let anyone else define you or what makes you beautiful! ? So happy you loved Stepsister – it means the world to me!!

  17. Ellie says:

    Thank you !! I can’t wait !! Love your writing, and how your creative and extraordinary mind works !! So grateful you are still in your writing prime – – your audience benefits so greatly !

  18. Kayla says:

    I cannot wait for this book to come out! I know I’m going to love it, mainly because you are my favorite author. I don’t really know why but I feel like now, I root for the villain in fairytales, although I always know the outcome, I really feel like they deserve at least a shard of pity. It makes sense why they do these things.

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      I think the villains are often the really interesting ones, too! I think you’ll find Stepsister right up your alley …

  19. Laila says:

    Wow, Jennifer, this made me tear up! Beauty is this complex, often warped topic. Its often spoken about but never examined. At least, not with the sincerity it deserves. I love your writing and although I’m an older reader, I will DEFINITELY read this book. You are such an inspiration to me as a person, a writer, a thinker, a WOMAN.
    Beauty has been a long and tumultuous road for me but it’s such an empowering journey. it really starts within yourself.
    Thank you.
    For everything.

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      And thank YOU for this lovely note, Laila — it made my day! I think you’re absolutely right about beauty — it is found within yourself, not defined by someone else. That’s a fundamental theme of STEPSISTER, and I hope it resonates with you when you read it. xo,J

  20. Anna says:

    You are such a wonderful champion of all girls in all of your books — can’t wait for this one, which seems to be written especially for our times!!!

  21. Hailey says:

    I honestly can’t wait and I think that this will be an amazing book especially based on how your book Lost In a Book was incredible. I love your work and I am super excited!

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      Hope you enjoy it! I would love to write more adult fiction one day — though I hope and expect Stepsister (like all my YA books) will speak to “old” adults as well as young ones!

      • DAWN KEEFER says:

        I am so happy to see there is another book out and I am anxious to ready it. I met your mother once at a craft fair and my mother had met her before that & that is where I bought your signed copy of The Tea Rose. As a matter of fact that was around 4 years or so ago and since that time & have read all three a second time I enjoyed them so much. I have also purchased 2 of your other books. Keep up the great work and God Bless, Dawn.

        • Jennifer Donnelly says:

          Hi Fahima?: I think I might have answered this on another page, but maybe you didn’t see it (or maybe my post didn’t go through!). STEPSISTER is officially for ages 12 and up, but age-appropriateness for any book depends a great deal on the child and the family. If you’re a young person, I would suggest you talk to your parent or guardian about it — maybe he or she can read it first and help you decide if it’s for you.

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