Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Levine, Gail Carson. Ella Enchanted.

HarperTrophy; 1997,

ISBN: 0064407055.

Reader’s Annotation

Ella has to obey—she’s been cursed with the "gift" of obedience—but will she find the way to break the curse, and make her life into what she wants it to be?

Plot Summary

Talk about a gift that you don’t want!  When Ella is born and is just an hour old, the fairy Lucinda bestows a gift on the baby—the gift of obedience.  Of course, this turns out to be an absolute nightmare, since Ella is doomed to a life in which she has to do whatever she is ordered to do whether she wants to or not.  When she is told to never reveal the curse to anyone, she is compelled to obey, and can tell no one--not even Prince Charmont.  When Ella’s mother dies, Ella goes to boarding school with her two horrible stepsisters Hattie and Olive.  Hattie soon figures out about Ella’s curse and takes terrible advantage of Ella.  Ella runs away, and sets out to find Lucinda and beg her to remove the curse.  After many adventures, Ella finds Lucinda, and to her dismay Lucinda refuses.  Ella’s friend Prince Charmont, is in love with Ella, but she knows that to marry him would endanger him, and she tells him no.  Then, not knowing about the curse, the prince commands Ella to marry him… 

Critical Evaluation

Levine’s twist on the classic Cinderella has a lot of fun putting a modern spin on that timeless tale.  The book actually takes a character from literature who seems rather weak and doormat-like, and transforms her into a heroine who takes charge of her life.  When she finds life with Lucinda’s curse unbearable, she set out to change things.  She’s determined to break the curse.  Even while under the curse, Ella’s spirit comes through as she finds little ways to get back at her tormentors.  This novel presents an excellent picture of the difference between forced obedience and willing acquiescence. Levine tops it off with a highly satisfying ending, suitable for a happily ever after.

Information about the Author

Gail Levine came from a highly creative family, and for years Levine wanted to be a painter and actor.  In 1967, she married David Levine. She majored in philosophy at New York’s City College, where she received her B.A. in 1969.  She spent the next 27 years working for the government of the state of New York, mainly as a welfare administrator, helping people find jobs.  After taking some classes in writing, Levine tried to have her manuscripts published for nine years.  Her first work to be published was Ella Enchanted was accepted by HarperCollins Trophy on April 17, 1996—Levine calls that one of the happiest days of her life.

Genre

Fantasy

Fairy Tale

Curriculum Tie-ins

None

Booktalk Ideas

1. How is Ella different from Cinderella?
2. Can you think of another fairy tale that you would want to remake?

Reading level/Interest age

Ages 10 +

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

None

Why I included this work

• Newbery Honor Book
• Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award (Vermont)
• Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award
• California Young Reader Medal
• Iowa Teen Award
• Arizona Young Readers’ Award

Great Quote from the Book:

"Hattie: It's me he's going to have at his coronation.
Ella: Yeah, in the middle of the table with an apple in your mouth."