Ash by Malinda Lo

Lo, M. (2010). Ash. New York: Little Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 031604010X

Plot Summary

  Ash is a retelling of the classic Cinderella fairy tale. Aisling, who is called Ash, has grown up in a world of faeries, magic, and strong connections to the natural world. When her mother dies, so does her connections to this magical world. Ash's father remarries and then mysteriously dies, leaving Ash in the care of her horrible stepmother. 

  Instead of being alone, Ash makes friends with a faerie and a Royal Huntress. Ash's world, like Cinderella's, if filled with surprise love and adventure. 

Critical Evaluation

  I usually love fairy tale retellings but this novel tended to drag and run circles in most areas. The lesbian love story seemed thrown in the story for shock value and literally came out of nowhere. Most of the characters had no backbone and were pretty pathetic. I would not recommend this book. 

Readers Annotation

  Cinderella got her Fairy Godmother, Ash has the whole faerie world. 

Information about the Author

  Malinda Lo was born in China and moved to Lafayette and Louisville Kentucky when she was three years old. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and has a Masters from Harvard and Stanford. 

  She was first published at the age of 12 after she published a poem about her cat for a cat magazine. She has worked in book publishing, as a reporter, and worked for AfterEllen.com. Her second novel is set to be released in April 2011. She is a huge supporter of the gay and lesbian community

Genre

  Fantasy

Curriculum Ties

  This can be used in English classes or writing workshops. Students can re-write classics. 

Booktalking Ideas

  - What is the significance of the name Ash?

  - If you had nowhere to go, what would you do?

   - Why didn't Ash just run away?

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  Lesbian love, occult, magic

  I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  Recommended by a librarian.