Diary of an American Cinderella

As a writer and motivational speaker Woods uplifting success story is both inspirational and endearing. Her sense of personal expansion continues throughout the collection. Readers will root for Terry with the turn of every page as she reveals her rags-to-riches life. In 1954 when she was 11 years old she began keeping a diary. One of her first entries reads Im the person who is writing in this diary and telling about the thrilling funny and sad stories of my life. Unbeknownst to Terry this innocent line would encapsulate her 65 years of diary writing. The author has lived a remarkably full life although distinctly divided in two. Born in Brooklyn she spent her first 12 years on a dairy farm. After her parents divorced her mother moved back to Brooklyn where Woods writes I feel like a naïve farm girl as she slips into a series of unhappy and dangerous relationships. After her mid-30s she gained valuable mentors wrote a self-help book published a magazine and traveled extensively for 15 years. The most delightful aspect of reading her diary excerpts is how they observe the blossoming of Woods self-confidence while living with her aunt who supported her dreams. She writes My enthusiasm is making me a winner. My self-love grows and my horizons expand. -- KIRKUS REVIEWS