The Scarlet Stockings: The Enchanted Riddle by Charlotte Kandel

This might be a children's book (or at least a tween's lit), but I devoured it! Charlotte Kandel is an author to watch!

Daphne was abandoned at birth at St. Jude's Orphanage, never knowing who her parents were or why they gave her up. Growing up in England, she lived a drab and dreary life, only colored by her dream of dancing ballet.

One day, a mysterious package arrives for her, the girl who never gets mail, wrapped in paper and tied with a silver ribbon. Inside are scarlet stockings and a book titled "How To Teach Yourself Ballet".

Thrilled, Daphne puts on her stockings immediately, only to find out that they disappear, or morph into whatever she happens to be wearing. Terrified, she removes them, only to be drawn to them again and again.

During an outing to a local village, Daphne's abuse at the hands of one of the nuns is noticed by the Greens, grocers and a couple with love to give. They choose to adopt Daphne, and her life is filled with color, imagination, friendship and love.

But the riddle of the scarlet stockings lures her, and her dreams of becoming a ballerina...are they finally possible? Can she solve the mystery of the riddle without losing herself and all she has gained?

Filled with imagination and delightful characters, Charlotte Kandel has created a series that will delight fans of Harry Potter, the Spiderwick Chronicles, and even Anne of Green Gables! These books are destined to become classics.

My only complaint is some mild language throughout the book...kind of like fingerprints on the glass of a gorgeous painting. We could have done without it in my opinion.

So, I'm giving "The Scarlet Stockings: The Enchanted Riddle" four out of five bookmarks, just shy of a full five due to language. But I'm tying up those bookmarks with a silver cord...and encouraging you to check out this new author!

Happy Reading!

Deena