*****Ella Enchanted
by Gail Carson Levine
Reviewed February 25, 2002.
A Sonderbooks' Best Book of 2002
(#4, Young Adult and Children's Fantasy Rereads)
HarperCollins Publishers, 1997. 232 pages.
Available at Sembach Library (JF LEV).
I love this book! Here’s the real story of Cinderella.
We find out that the reason that she let those stepsisters walk
all over her is that she was cursed at birth with the Gift of Obedience.
When someone gives her a command, Ella has to obey. This Cinderella
is not a doormat, however. She’s feisty and clever, and you’d
better be careful what you command, or she’ll find a way to thwart you.
Gail Carson Levine clears up some other confusing details
of the story. The reason the prince didn’t recognize her was
that it was a masked ball. It turns out that Prince Charmont
(Honestly, who would really be named Charming?) already knew and admired
Ella, because she made him laugh. He didn’t only fall for her
because of her pretty face. (I like that detail.) Alas!
She has to run away from him, for how can she be Queen if anyone in
the kingdom could order her to give up state secrets or murder her husband?
I was delighted when this book won a Newbery Honor Award.
It’s not often that such a light and joyful novel wins! It
was Gail Carson Levine’s first children’s novel, so that was an impressive
accomplishment. This book is very popular at the library, and
my seven-year-old son just started reading it. I like watching
him chuckle over it. Definitely a book for all ages.
Reviews of other books by Gail Carson Levine:
Fairest
Fairest audiobook
Ever
****For Biddle's
Sake
****The Fairy's
Return
Reader
comments:
Kitty gives this book five stars, too. She says, "I love
Ella Enchanted. I have four copies of the book. I have loved this book since
the beginning. It is my favorite book of all time and I know that I could
answer any question right off the bat I know it so well."
Crystal Flores gives this
book four stars.
Katie gives this book five stars. She says, "I love this book. It
is one of my all time favorites. I read the book for my 1st time and
I just loved it.
An anonymous reader gives this book five stars.
Copyright © 2003 Sondra Eklund.
All rights reserved.
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Book Reviews
by Sondra Eklund