I didn't expect to like this movie at all, but once again, Disney proved me wrong. This 2015 live-action remake of the classic Cinderella story is heartwarming, enchanting, and as magical as Cinderella's glass slipper. In the animated 1900s version, Cinderella was portrayed as a silly, one-dimensional character who was only saved from "slavery" due to her looks, not her personality. However, Kenneth Branagh's directing has spun Cinderella into a feminist story of love, hope, and kindness. This time, the prince is dazzled by Cinderella's otherworldly beliefs and unbelievable kindness, rather than just her beauty. Everything about this film was stunning: the period outfits, the story pacing, the Swarovski-crystal slipper, and the groundbreaking performances from Lily James, Richard Madden, Cate Blanchett, and Helena Bonham Carter.

While Cinderella II: Dreams Come True came off as fanciful and quite abhorrent to me, this third movie was a game-changer. Instead of concerning itself with Cinderella's flighty (and boring) experiences in the castle, Cinderella III: A Twist in Time took the classic movie and completely remade it! In this film, Anastasia manages to snag Fairy Godmother's wand. With it, she reverses time and makes sure Cinderella doesn't get to try on the glass slipper when the Prince's royal men arrive. Now, it's up to Cinderella to achieve her happily ever after for the second time, but it's nearly impossible, especially since Lady Tremaine and her two evil stepsisters own the magic wand. An enchanting story of not-as-cliche true love and finding the good in the evilest of people.

While Cinderella II: Dreams Come True came off as fanciful and quite abhorrent to me, this third movie was a game-changer. Instead of concerning itself with Cinderella's flighty (and boring) experiences in the castle, Cinderella III: A Twist in Time took the classic movie and completely remade it! In this film, Anastasia manages to snag Fairy Godmother's wand. With it, she reverses time and makes sure Cinderella doesn't get to try on the glass slipper when the Prince's royal men arrive. Now, it's up to Cinderella to achieve her happily ever after for the second time, but it's nearly impossible, especially since Lady Tremaine and her two evil stepsisters own the magic wand. An enchanting story of not-as-cliche true love and finding the good in the evilest of people.

Mulan is one of the few Disney Princesses that is not actually a princess but is strong and powerful enough to be considered one. Faced with adversity for her tomboyish ways from her neighbors and even her own family, Mulan makes the life-changing decision to fight in the Imperial army, disguised as a man. I love this movie: the animations are amazing and the message is clear - don't underestimate anyone.

Mulan is one of the few Disney Princesses that is not actually a princess but is strong and powerful enough to be considered one. Faced with adversity for her tomboyish ways from her neighbors and even her own family, Mulan makes the life-changing decision to fight in the Imperial army, disguised as a man. I love this movie: the animations are amazing and the message is clear - don't underestimate anyone.

Isabel Ibañez's debut is as bright and beautiful as Ximena's moonlight thread. Inspired by real events from Bolivian history, Woven in Moonlight follows the adventures of Ximena Rojas, the decoy Illustrian Condesa. When Atoc, instigator of the Illustrian massacre and ruler of the Llascans, asks for the Illustrian Condesa's hand in marriage, Ximena must go in the real Condesa's place to restore power to the Illustrian people. But the moment Ximena steps foot into Atoc's palace, nothing goes as planned. Ximena's friends are killed before her very eyes. After acting up in front of Atoc, she's sentenced to a month in isolation. And Ximena begins to warm up to the Llascans around her, despite her mission to get rid of the whole lot of them. Betrayals, secrets, and inevitable choices begin to fly in Ximena's wake: either she saves the innocent Llascans, or she betrays her best friend and the people she has ruled for over fifteen years. Encased in simmering ambedo and slow-fire romance, with its lavish description and emotion-filled narration, Woven in Moonlight is one of the most underrated YA novels of the decade by far.

Isabel Ibañez's debut is as bright and beautiful as Ximena's moonlight thread. Inspired by real events from Bolivian history, Woven in Moonlight follows the adventures of Ximena Rojas, the decoy Illustrian Condesa. When Atoc, instigator of the Illustrian massacre and ruler of the Llascans, asks for the Illustrian Condesa's hand in marriage, Ximena must go in the real Condesa's place to restore power to the Illustrian people. But the moment Ximena steps foot into Atoc's palace, nothing goes as planned. Ximena's friends are killed before her very eyes. After acting up in front of Atoc, she's sentenced to a month in isolation. And Ximena begins to warm up to the Llascans around her, despite her mission to get rid of the whole lot of them. Betrayals, secrets, and inevitable choices begin to fly in Ximena's wake: either she saves the innocent Llascans, or she betrays her best friend and the people she has ruled for over fifteen years. Encased in simmering ambedo and slow-fire romance, with its lavish description and emotion-filled narration, Woven in Moonlight is one of the most underrated YA novels of the decade by far.

Jerry Spinelli's description is absolutely unbelievable. "Stargirl" is a tapestry of words and spaces and ink, conglomerating into a sensory masterpiece. The book follows a Mica High student named Leo Borlock, who has long accustomed himself to the social conformity of his school. But when Stargirl, a new student with fluttering silks, a guitar, and a rat arrives at Mica High, the status quo begins to shift. Everyone is attracted to Stargirl's antics - at first. But after she goes too far, the students begin to turn on her, and Leo - hopelessly in love - urges her to become more "normal," despite how much he loves her for who she is. A beautiful, lavishly-worded story about prepubescent feelings and being true to yourself.

Jerry Spinelli's description is absolutely unbelievable. "Stargirl" is a tapestry of words and spaces and ink, conglomerating into a sensory masterpiece. The book follows a Mica High student named Leo Borlock, who has long accustomed himself to the social conformity of his school. But when Stargirl, a new student with fluttering silks, a guitar, and a rat arrives at Mica High, the status quo begins to shift. Everyone is attracted to Stargirl's antics - at first. But after she goes too far, the students begin to turn on her, and Leo - hopelessly in love - urges her to become more "normal," despite how much he loves her for who she is. A beautiful, lavishly-worded story about prepubescent feelings and being true to yourself.

The Deep End is filled with Jeff Kinney's trademark slapstick humor. This time, Greg and his family are camping out in their Gramma's basement after the "house renovation incident." But camping out is taken to a whole new level when Greg's mom gets the idea of using Uncle Gary's camping trailer to drive to and explore new places. After weeks of being cooped up in a sweaty, damp basement, Greg and his brothers are up for anything; but, once again, the vacation doesn't go the picturesque way their mom expected it to. To be quite honest, the whole "vacation-gone-wrong" idea is getting a little old, but this book was still humorous and entertaining to read. A solid 4/5 stars.