When Ella was born, Lucinda the fairy placed a gift on her, a gift to be obedient. But instead it’s a curse. Ella ends up on a crazy adventure battling ogres, giants, and her evil stepsisters to break the spell. But can she break it?

This book is recommended for ages 9 to 12

Recommendation by S

Another book in the Levine fairytale world and I believe her first. This was a great reincarnation of Cinderella! I read this one because I loved the movie with Hugh Dancy (he's so hot) and Anne Hathaway. The book is completely different from the movie, but in a good way. I don't think the book wouldn't have made a good movie and the movie wouldn't have made a good book, but on their own they were both great.

Newbery Honor-winning Ella Enchanted is a charming fairy tale about a young woman who finds herself and romance as she seeks to undo a curse that has plagued her since she was a young girl. Because of the curse Ella always does what anyone tellers to do eventually Ella tries to break away the curse but her life gets more awful when her father marries a horrible woman who has equally horrible daughters. Ella Enchanted stuck to the original story Cinderella but had twists and turns in it. I thought the emotion in the book was handled nicely. Overall I found this book to be a really enjoyable read. It’s great for young children aged 8-12. ( )

Ella Enchanted, a book by Gail Carson Levine, is quite an interesting book. Physically, it is attractive and appealing to young readers. The book cover is of a young vibrant girl staring straight ahead with a determination in her eyes. The title is written in an elegant font. The font of the text is adequate and easy to read. The writer’s style of writing and language in the novel are outstanding for the audience.

At Ella of Frell’s birth, she is bestowed with the gift of obedience by the fairy Lucinda. Anything anyone demands her to do, she must comply. But following her mother‘s order, Ella is forbidden to reveal her secret to anyone. Her neglectful father remarries a greedy woman with two equally wicked daughters, Hattie and Olive, whom Ella is forced to attend finishing school with. However once Hattie discovers Ella’s secret, Ella had only one option. She escaped from boarding school and found Lucinda in order to remove the curse. Ella befriends Char, prince of the kingdom and finds herself falling in love. However, frightened by the danger she might put the kingdom in; she suppresses her feelings in the hope that the spell can be undone. With the help of her cook and fairy godmother, Mandy, Ella is finally able to locate Lucinda; unfortunately the fairy refuses to take back her gift. A distraught Ella is forced to become a servant in her own household. Nevertheless, when the prince demands her hand in marriage, Ella is conflicted until her abrupt refusal of his offer. This breaks the curse and allows young Ella to move away from her horrid family, and finally marry the man she loves.

I immensely enjoyed this novel. I found it to be a colourful and original retelling of the beloved classic Cinderella. The author, Gail Carson Levine, creates a strong intelligent protagonist, who doesn’t simply accept her tragic fate but ventures on her own to find the fairy hoping that the curse will be broken. Levine weaves a story compiled of rich dynamic characters, in a retelling filled with twists and turns. This tale is filled with suspense and is sure to captivate the reader’s interest from beginning to end. It is suitable for young adults and can be appreciated by many readers. This was an excellent novel with an everlasting and meaningful message the resonates throughout the story. ( )

This story is very similar to Cinderella with a few twist. In Ella Enchanted,Ella's birthday "gift" from one fairy is the "gift" of obedience. As Ella ages more people become aware of her gift/curse.After her mother's death and her father's new marriage, Ella's new siblings take advantage of her "gift." Ella searches for a way to end her curse.
I loved this take on the Cinderella story. The gift/curse could mean many different things to different people. As a parent, obedience could be a great thing. As a person, obedience leaves the ability to chose empty.
I would use this book in class to show how choices affect us. This would be an awesome book to share what gifts students received but thought they were curses.