Illustrated by Laura Freeman
5 stars
A wonderful book blending history, fairy tales, and biblical stories.
Much like Cinderella, CeeCee is mistreated and disrespected. As an enslaved girl in the household, she is ordered around, isn’t allowed to learn, and is locked away in the attic whenever she is caught looking at books. The only kindness she finds is in Binty, the house cook, who shares a hopeful story of a knight named Moses who helps lead enslaved people to freedom. After hearing the story, CeeCee dreams of her own escape until she gathers the courage to come up with a plan.
This powerful reimagining of the Cinderella story showcases the ways Black women and girls look out for each other.
I love that Keller gives CeeCee an active role in her escape. She doesn’t passively wait around for a prince to save her. She problem solves, plans, and overcomes the obstacles in her way.
With a powerful focus on the ingenuity and bravery of Black women and girls, the book covers themes of courage, helping others, and the power of names.
Lovely layered artwork with expressive characters and gorgeous texture.
The backmatter includes short notes about Harriet Tubman, the role of names, and the inspiration for the book.
A fantastic book about the bravery, hope, and creative thinking of a young girl who takes her story into her own hands.