1. Do you feel sympathetic toward Clara? Why?

2. Who do you consider the heroine in the story and why?

3. Talk about Maguire's portrayal of Prince Charming.

4. Identify some of the common elements in fairy tales. Do you consider Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister a fairy tale?

Why or why not?

5. What is your opinion of the ending of this book? Is it a "happily ever after" ending?

6. What does the setting add to the story?

7. Can you identify evil characters and good characters in Maguire's book?

8. What kind of a person is Margarethe? What kind of ideals does she embody?

9. The Master says, "the true consequence of beauty .. . is devotion." What does he mean by this?