Ella Enchanted

Levine, G. (1997). Ella enchanted. New York: HarperCollins. 
Popular Paperback (2015)

Summary: When she was born, the fairy, Lucinda, grants Ella the gift of obedience. As the years pass, Ella’s mother realizes how detrimental this gift really is, if anyone tells Ella to do something, she must obey no matter the risk to herself or others. Before her mother dies, she tells Ella to keep the gift a secret so no one misuses it. When she is distraught about her mother’s death, she runs into Prince Charmont (Char) who is kind to her. Soon after, her father decides to send her to finishing school with two horrid sisters named Olive and Hattie. Hattie quickly realizes Ella’s gift and begins to mistreat Ella by using it against her. Once she returns home and finds that her father has remarried the horrid sister’s mother because he has lost all of his money. Her new stepmother makes her a servant in the house but she continues to stay in contact with Char through letters. Secretly attending the ball, Ella realizes Char wants to ask Ella for her hand in marriage. She knows this is a bad idea due to her obedience and potential of becoming a threat to Char. After running out of the ball and losing her slipper, he finds her and orders her to marry him. She uses all her strength to disobey and say no which in turn breaks the curse. Now free, Ella happily marries Char and enjoys her life with him forever.

Commentary: Immediately, readers can connect this novel with the classic, Cinderella. As most know, there are hundreds of versions of the Cinderella story, this one being one of my favorites. The characteristic that Ella must be obedient is a huge twist in the story. This substantially adds to the obstacles similar to the original tale.  In this fairy tale filled with ogres, elves, and giants in a different world, the reader can travel to a faraway place and let their imagination go to a world of balls, magic, and happily ever after. As all Cinderella versions, this is a timeless story that will live on and be relevant forever.

Connection: Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix