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A review by the_sassy_bookworm
CeeCee: Underground Railroad Cinderella by Shana Keller
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Book Review: CeeCee: Underground Railroad Cinderella Kindle Edition by Shana Keller (Author), Laura Freeman (Illustrator)
Rating: 4 Stars
I just finished CeeCee: Underground Railroad Cinderella by Shana Keller, and I’m still thinking about it. This retelling of Cinderella takes the familiar fairy-tale beats and places them in a much darker, more real setting: a Maryland plantation where CeeCee, a young enslaved girl, quietly shoulders all the labor and the cruelty that comes with it. Rather than waiting for a prince, CeeCee’s story moves toward a different kind of rescue—one rooted in courage, community, and the desperate hope for freedom.
Keller’s version keeps the essence of the Cinderella arc—service, longing, and a transformative chance—but reshapes it with historical weight. CeeCee grows up in the house with two spoiled daughters she must care for, learning from their lessons in hushed moments and risking punishment every time she reaches for a bit more knowledge. Her small acts of learning, and the kindness she receives from the cook Binty, are woven into a narrative about resilience more than romance. When an opportunity for escape comes, it’s not a fairy-tale twist but a life-or-death decision that demands everything from her.
I have to say, the book is gorgeous. The cover grabbed me right away—there’s something striking and tender about it that matches the story inside. The interior illustrations are equally lovely and do so much to deepen the emotion on the page; they make the characters feel present and the stakes feel real. The whole package feels carefully crafted: it’s moving, often heartbreaking, and utterly memorable.
What I loved most was how the retelling honors both the original fairytale themes and the historical realities it introduces. CeeCee’s longing isn’t for a ballroom or a prince; it’s for self-determination and safety. The caring relationships—especially with Binty—bring warmth and moral clarity to a story that could easily have been only bleak. And yet Keller doesn’t shy away from the brutality of the setting; that tension is what gives the book its power.
If you like historical reimaginings, or if you’re looking for a picture book that treats young readers to serious themes without talking down to them, this one’s worth your time. It made me feel a lot—sadness, anger, hope—and I think that’s exactly what good storytelling should do.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: 4 Stars
I just finished CeeCee: Underground Railroad Cinderella by Shana Keller, and I’m still thinking about it. This retelling of Cinderella takes the familiar fairy-tale beats and places them in a much darker, more real setting: a Maryland plantation where CeeCee, a young enslaved girl, quietly shoulders all the labor and the cruelty that comes with it. Rather than waiting for a prince, CeeCee’s story moves toward a different kind of rescue—one rooted in courage, community, and the desperate hope for freedom.
Keller’s version keeps the essence of the Cinderella arc—service, longing, and a transformative chance—but reshapes it with historical weight. CeeCee grows up in the house with two spoiled daughters she must care for, learning from their lessons in hushed moments and risking punishment every time she reaches for a bit more knowledge. Her small acts of learning, and the kindness she receives from the cook Binty, are woven into a narrative about resilience more than romance. When an opportunity for escape comes, it’s not a fairy-tale twist but a life-or-death decision that demands everything from her.
I have to say, the book is gorgeous. The cover grabbed me right away—there’s something striking and tender about it that matches the story inside. The interior illustrations are equally lovely and do so much to deepen the emotion on the page; they make the characters feel present and the stakes feel real. The whole package feels carefully crafted: it’s moving, often heartbreaking, and utterly memorable.
What I loved most was how the retelling honors both the original fairytale themes and the historical realities it introduces. CeeCee’s longing isn’t for a ballroom or a prince; it’s for self-determination and safety. The caring relationships—especially with Binty—bring warmth and moral clarity to a story that could easily have been only bleak. And yet Keller doesn’t shy away from the brutality of the setting; that tension is what gives the book its power.
If you like historical reimaginings, or if you’re looking for a picture book that treats young readers to serious themes without talking down to them, this one’s worth your time. It made me feel a lot—sadness, anger, hope—and I think that’s exactly what good storytelling should do.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️