Mechanica

bv Betsy Cornwell

Summary:
Nicolette has always been gifted mechanically, she inherited it from her mother. But when her mother dies, and her father remarries and then dies leaving her with a stepmother and stepsisters who turn her into their maid she has had to put her abilities aside. On her 16th birthday, she receives a letter showing her how to get into her mother's old workshop. Maybe, just maybe, she'll be able to use her skills to gain a patron who will help her finance her own shop. But first she has to make it to the ball.

Review:
A great twist on Cinderella. Nicolette is a strong independent character. I enjoyed the love story twist and that she ended up stronger than ever at the end-and didn't need a prince to fix her life! Great for younger readers and older. Give to fans of Gail Carson Levine.

Age Level: 7th Grade
Genre: Fantasy Fiction