Guest Blog: Kay Cassidy, Author of The Cinderella Society

Today I'd like to extend a warm welcome to Kay Cassidy, author of The Cinderella Society. Kay stopped by to talk about Jess Parker. Jess is a teenager who becomes part of the Cindy's, a secret society of girls I would've liked to have belonged to in high school! Without further ado, take it away Kay---

Why Kay Cassidy is like Jess Parker from The Cinderella Society

If I had to choose a character from The Cinderella Society that I'm most like, it would probably be the heroine, Jess Parker. I didn't set out to create Jess to be a teenaged me—and she's definitely not because I was, sadly, never invited to join a cool secret society like The Cinderella Society—but I do think I'm probably the most like Jess of all the Sisters in the society.

For one thing, Jess is pretty idealistic. She's not overly naïve, she just genuinely believes that people can make a difference in the world. We may not all be able to cure cancer or create lasting world peace, but can we offer a shoulder to someone who needs it or our time to a worthy cause? You bet we can. Jess is the quintessential volunteer girl. I wasn't quite that volunteer driven as a teen, but I am much more so now. (Okay, she still beats the volunteerism pants off me, but I try.)

Jess is also a cheerleader but knows that the popular cheerleader is a stereotype. I can so relate to that. I cheered through junior high, high school and part of college, but I definitely never considered myself an It girl. I hung out with my cheerleader friends, mostly non-partying, honor roll students who spent Friday nights after football and basketball games at the midnight movies. (Driving around in my friend Lisa's car and yelling profound things to fellow moviegoers in the parking lot like "Guess what? Chicken butt!" But I digress.)

Jess and I both share one last thing in common: a tendency to overanalyze. ;-) It's hard coming into your own, whether you're a teen or an adult (and lots of adults are still getting comfortable in their own skin). Second guessing every little thing you do/think/say is definitely something Jess and I both do when we get stressed out. Though I will say I'm getting better about it after writing The Cinderella Society. Because now I share their mantra: "No Wicked chatter!" :-)



What a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn't want to wear it anymore?

Sixteen year old Jess Parker has always been an outsider. So when she receives an invitation to join The Cinderella Society, a secret society of the most popular girls in school, it's like something out of a fairy tale. Swept up by the Cindys' magical world of makeovers, and catching the eye of her Prince Charming, Jess feels like she's finally found her chance to fit in.

Then the Wickeds--led by Jess's arch-enemy--begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers there's more to being a Cindy than reinventing yourself on the outside. She has unknowingly become part of a centuries-old battle of good vs. evil, and now the Cindys in charge need Jess for a mission that could change everything.

Overwhelmed, Jess wonders if The Cinderella Society made a mistake in choosing her. Is it a coincidence her new boyfriend doesn't want to be seen with her in public? And is this glamorous, secret life even what she wants, or will she risk her own happy ending to live up to the expectations of her new sisters?

About the Author:

Kay Cassidy is the author of teen fiction she wishes was based on her real life. She is the founder of the national Great Scavenger Hunt ContestTM reading program for kids and teens and the host of the inspirational Living Your FiveTM web project. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, movies, music, and reading. Lots and lots of reading. She hopes her debut YA novel, THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY (April 13, 2010 - Egmont), will help girls embrace their inner Cindy.