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Ella Enchanted

by Gail Carson Levine

3.99 · rating details · 73,657 ratings · 4,204 reviews

How can a fairy's blessing be such a curse?

At her birth, Ella of Frell was given a foolish fairy's gift--the "gift" of obedience. Ella must obey any order given to her, whether it's hopping on one foot for a day or chopping off her own head

But strong-willed Ella does not tamely accept her fate. She goes on a quest, encountering ogres, giants, wicked stepsis

...more

Paperback, 240 pages

Published August 28th 1998 by HarperTrophy (first published May 30th 1997)

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Best Fantasy of the 90s

51st out of 135 books — 131 voters

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Community Reviews

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Feb 23, 2011

Emma rated it

· review of another edition

Feminists often denounce traditional fairy tales because they perpetuate the ideals of a patriarchal society by encouraging girls to behave like proper princesses and wait for charming princes to take charge and save the day. In response to these traditional fairy tales, many authors have tried to reclaim the realm of fairy tales for girls. These retellings feature active protagonists who are not scared of taking charge and do not need princes to save them. One example of this new fairy tale gen...moreFeminists often denounce traditional fairy tales because they perpetuate the ideals of a patriarchal society by encouraging girls to behave like proper princesses and wait for charming princes to take charge and save the day. In response to these traditional fairy tales, many authors have tried to reclaim the realm of fairy tales for girls. These retellings feature active protagonists who are not scared of taking charge and do not need princes to save them. One example of this new fairy tale genre is the 1998 children’s novel "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine, which takes an untraditional approach to retelling the story of Cinderella. The novel addresses several specific feminist issues, specifically negotiating and fighting the burden of obedience, the importance of female friendships and, of course, learning to save yourself.

The story is set in an imaginary, medieval-esque kingdom called Frell. A roaming fairy named Lucinda gives Ella the gift/curse of obedience at Ella’s birth. As a result, Ella has to do everything she is told, no matter what harm it might cause to herself or others. (In the novel, the severity of Ella’s curse in constantly underscored with passages explaining how little control Ella has over her own life: “If someone told me to hop on one foot for a day and a half, I’d have to do it. And hopping on one foot wasn’t the worst order I could be given. If you commanded me to cut off my own head, I’d have to do it.") As the plot moves forward Ella is compelled to leave home to try and find Lucinda and ask her to lift the curse. Along the way she also falls in love with Prince Char. For varying reasons, depending on the version, Lucinda refuses to lift the curse. Further difficulties arise as Ella continues her quest.

That's the main body of the story. The Cinderella element is relevant mainly to the last quarter of the novel where actual elements from that story (the slipper, the ball) appear in the story, although the evil step-sisters and fairy godmother are present throughout the narrative.

There are several reasons that I love this novel and recommend it to everyone. The first is that it's an imaginative retelling of Cinderella which makes the story exciting for readers familiar with the original version without making it too abtruse for readers who have never heard of Cinderella. Also, the book is full of great role models for girls. All of the female characters are strong, self-aware women--things seen far too rarely in the fairy tale genre. The novel is narrated in Ella's voice. This makes it easy to see how strong Ella is as a character (especially at the end of the novel).

The other great thing about this book is that it all seems authentic, never over the top or under-written. In addition to creating immensely likable main characters, Levine creates a compelling world within the pages of "Ella Enchanted" vivid with details ranging from Elvish and Gnomish languages to customs at a Giant's wedding. The story is an immensely entertaining page-turner that will (even better) leave readers feeling satisfied when they reach the final scene where Levine ties everything together, artfully blending empowerment with a happy-ever-after ending fit for a traditional fairy tale.

Excerpted from a scholarly article I wrote about Ella Enchanted as a book and movie. You can read the full article here: http://digitalcommons.pace.edu/research_...(less)

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Apr 05, 2009

Cara rated it

· review of another edition

Recommended to Cara by: Valerie (sister) and Ginny (friend)

Shelves: fantasy, books-made-into-movies, fairy-tales, recommended-to-me

Now I know why people made such a fuss when the movie came out. I watched the movie first, so I had no idea how utterly wrong everything was. It totally is not like the book. Just slap on the names and the curse and that's where the similarities end. I must say the book is MUCH better than the movie.

The style of the writing was kind of weird for me, but not in a bad way. It's not that it was too fast paced or anything, but I noticed there wasn't a lot of padding or fanfare before e...more

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Oct 10, 2007

Chelsea rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: any one who likes fairytales with a twist

Shelves: childrens, awardwinners, doubleplusgood, fantasy, retellings, own, royalty, cinderella, multiples, historicalfiction, toswap, reread, 2007, covers, comfortbooks, fiction, middlereader

This still stands as one of my favorite books. The fantasy elements are clever and not too over the top. Ella is witty and pretty clever herself, not to mention strong and determined and resourceful. Mandy is just your everyday, ordinary, regular old cook/fairy. Char is, appropriately, charming. The stepsisters are deliciously evil. Lucinda is completely batty.

I like that none of the women in the book are doormats. Good or evil, protagonist or minor background character, they ...more

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Nov 14, 2008

Needleroozer rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: fans of princess and fairy tales

Shelves: young-adult

My sister recommended this book to me and even bought me a copy at half price day at Goodwill. Now I am recommending this book to you.

The main character, Ella, is a young woman, almost 15, who is cursed with obedience as an infant. A fairy thinks she's blessing the baby by forcing her to be obedient, but that's not really how it turns out. Imagine being physically compelled to do anything that anyone tells you to do. You don't have to be an anarchist to quickly realize that would be...more

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Mar 08, 2008

Shannon rated it

Shelves: childrens, fantasy, ya, fairytales, 2008

It's a sweet, humorous book, written for a younger audience but easily enjoyed by an older one too. Based on the Cinderella story, there are a few notable differences, namely that Ella was "blessed" with the "gift" of obedience by the fairy Lucinda, who thinks all her gifts (such as turning you into a squirrel) are wonderful. Ella is the daughter of Lady Eleanor and a somewhat unscrupulous merchant, Sir Peter, whom she rarely sees. She grows up with her mother, who teaches he...moreIt's a sweet, humorous book, written for a younger audience but easily enjoyed by an older one too. Based on the Cinderella story, there are a few notable differences, namely that Ella was "blessed" with the "gift" of obedience by the fairy Lucinda, who thinks all her gifts (such as turning you into a squirrel) are wonderful. Ella is the daughter of Lady Eleanor and a somewhat unscrupulous merchant, Sir Peter, whom she rarely sees. She grows up with her mother, who teaches her to slide down the banister, and the cook Mandy, who's not all she seems. She learns fairly early what a curse the gift is, where any command must be obeyed. The opportunities for being taken advantage of are mind-boggling (but strictly G-rated). Ella learns to be defiant even while she is forced to obey, but the trick doesn't always work.

When, at fifteen, her mother dies several things happen. Firstly, she meets Prince Char and forms a friendship with him, and secondly her father decides to send her to finishing school along with the two hideous daughters of Dame Olga, who has her sights set on Sir Peter. The daughters, Hattie and Olive, are greedy, rude and obnoxious, but things become worse when Hattie realises Ella must obey her.

Ella is desperate to find Lucinda and have her remove the curse, which leads her to run away from the finishing school and into all sorts of trouble. Unlike a lot of fantasy stories, though, this one isn't a quest story set on an endless road. Ella meets Elves and is nearly eaten by Ogres, but spends most of the story at home. Humorous escapades and a blooming friendship between her and Char balance out the cruelty dealt her by others. And the Cinderella aspect is given full due, but in a refreshing way. The similarities are there, but it never feels old and tired and same-y.

Also, Ella herself is a great heroine, smart and strong but not over-confident or perfect. She's a bit clumsy but has the gift of imitating languages and voices, and learning languages quickly. She's no defenceless damsel and she doesn't whinge, but her curse curtails who she really is. The moral of the story is fitting, but not lecturing. Levine has a much lighter hand than your average Disney movie, and there's not a saccharine moment. It reminds me a bit of the movie Ever After, so if you liked that then you'll like this book, and vice versa.

A joy to read, and very well written, Ella Enchanted took up a few hours of my time but will take up a much larger slice of my memory: for making me laugh at the end of an exhausting week, for being sweet but not cloying, wise but not preachy, and for revitalising an old fairytale.(less)

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Apr 12, 2009

Ash rated it

· review of another edition

Recommended to Ash by: Cara and Valerie

This was a very sweet and funny book. The movie version really doesn't do it justice and is almost a different story all together. I'd always heard about this book when I was in elementary and middle school, but back then I thought reading a book was punishment. Now though, I see that books are our friends and not just good paper weights. I'm glad that I had a chance to read this book before I got too old to actually enjoy it. Though I think that I would've still liked it anyway. Ella is funny ...more

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Oct 10, 2008

BunWat rated it

· review of another edition

This review applies to the audio version. Well I like the story, I like most of Gail Carson Levine's stuff and it did get me through the kitchen cleaning project. But I didn't love this audio version. It wasn't unbearable, just not great. Eden Riegel narrates and sounds about 13, although I believe she's in her twenties. Which was mostly okay for Ella, but not when the trolls and ogres and evil stepmothers and kings all sounded like thirteen year old girls too. I don't know, maybe younger li...more

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Sep 25, 2007

payasa213 rated it

· review of another edition

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine is a Fantasy book and is a fairytale story much like Cinderella. Ella, the main character when she was born Ella was given a gift by a fairy. To most people a fairy's gift would be fantastic though many people may not understand what these gifts mean. Ella's gift was to be obedient always. At first this sounded ok but through the story, Ella's gift seemed more like a curse. What is even worse is that, after her mother dies, her father marries the horrible...more

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Aug 29, 2011

S. Bell rated it

Recommended to S. Bell by: Solyndra

Shelves: fairy-tales, fantasy, fantasy-land, royalty, ya, happily-ever-after

Squeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! I have a new favourite now, oh my. :D Why did it take me so long to read this?! Maybe because the book itself is a falling-apart ex-library hardcover, that just looks so unappealing. Tch. :P Each time Solyndra has mentioned it I've thought I should really read it at last, so good thing THIS time I finally DID.

SO MUCH LOVE. The whole story is just marvellous and wonderful. I was so invested in the Ella/Char romance and it takes a lot for me to actually, seriously, ...more

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May 04, 2011

Veronica rated it

· review of another edition

When some of my friends learned I was reading Ella Enchanted for the very first time, the first thing they told me was, "What! I read that book, like, when I was in fifth grade!" Well, let me just say, I wouldn't have enjoyed this book in fifth grade as I have enjoyed it now. It's exactly what one of my bookworm friends would have described as a "cookie read": short, sweet, and satisfactory. It was a truly well-woven, fanciful tale with just the right pint of humor, a deligh...more

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Jul 10, 2010

Jasmin rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: All the little girls and the little girls at heart

Shelves: fairy-tale, fantasy, adventure, romance, young-adult, children

Unicorns. Fairies. Castles. Most of all, Prince Charming.

Ella Enchanted made me want to revert back to being a little girl, where it's easy to believe that happily ever afters do exist. And yes, it reminded me that, despite my bitter self now, I at one point, believed in happily ever afters.

Who doesn't know Ella? I sure caught the craze when this was a movie with Anne Hathaway as Ella. The movie was spectacular, and the book was just as good.

Ella was bestowed ...moreUnicorns. Fairies. Castles. Most of all, Prince Charming.

Ella Enchanted made me want to revert back to being a little girl, where it's easy to believe that happily ever afters do exist. And yes, it reminded me that, despite my bitter self now, I at one point, believed in happily ever afters.

Who doesn't know Ella? I sure caught the craze when this was a movie with Anne Hathaway as Ella. The movie was spectacular, and the book was just as good.

Ella was bestowed the gift of obedience. Well, to the fairy who dared to give it, it was a gift. But to the other end who received it, it was definitely a curse. Ella made me laugh. But she also made my heart break. I could not imagine myself doing everything someone ordered me to do. Even the simple task of following parents seemed Herculean, when your heart had no desire to do it. But Ella had to do every blasted thing. Whether, she liked it or not, she had to obey. She could try delaying tactics, but in the end, the curse will always get the best of her.

But despite the crazed obedience, Ella was still a girl. Charming. Humorous. Intellectual. Unselfish. Patient. And courageous. And a prince could not help but notice her.

Prince Char, after having friendship with Ella, proposes. But Ella could not risk being the Prince's downfall. Once enemies knew of her affliction, one could not help but to take advantage. So Ella tricked the prince into thinking she had married another.

But true love could not be stopped.

As the town was to hold series of balls, where rumor has it, the prince would choose a bride, Ella could not help but rush off, and maybe see the prince once more. She poses as Lela, and again, she has caught the eye of the prince.

But just as Cinderella did, Ella had to leave, as soon as the prince found her true identity.

Ella could not even consider harming the prince, despite all the love she had in her heart for him. The prince orders her to marry him, but with the thought of his imminent danger, she manages to fight of the curse with an extreme amount of disobedience.

Well, of course, now that she's no threat to the prince anymore, evidently, they could now have their happily ever after.

This book makes me want to believe in happily ever afters once more. Maybe I will, but I would rather wait for it to come, and see for myself ♥(less)

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Jun 27, 2008

Sara rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: favorite-books

I was looking for a fun easy read that could help me escape reality and this one did it for me. I really enjoyed the book. It is, however, very different from the movie and in many respects I feel that the movie screenplay was sharper witted, tighter and more entertaining. I liked the book enough to read Fairest, a companion book, which I enjoyed even more. If you liked Ella check out Fairest.

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Apr 07, 2009

Jjen rated it

· review of another edition

I got this book free with a magazine to promote the film version that was coming out around that time, so I thought it would be terrible. It looked terrible. But I read it anyway because I hate to judge, and I was wrong about it. Although it was not exactly a work of literary genius, I really connected with the main character Ella - she wasn't the sappy, needy pwincess we usually associate with fairy stories but an independent, strong young woman. She is put under a curse as a young child - she ...more

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Jan 19, 2011

Jillian -always aspiring- rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Every girl anywhere because it is just that good of a book

Shelves: favorite-books, childhood-reads, best-characters, best-endings, retellings, will-love-it-until-i-die, ultimate-favorites, comfort-reads, swoon-worthy-book-crushes, heroines-i-love-and-or-admire

I've lost count of how many times I've read this wonderful book. I remember the first time vividly, though. I wouldn't have picked up this book had I not been on a fifth grade field trip, had some pocket money, and wandered over to the book section of the gift shop. While everyone else was chattering and looking at all the other shinier things offered, I was discovering Ella.

Ella is the type of girl I wanted to be when I was eleven -- adventurous, loyal, brave, honest, clever, wit...more

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Jul 08, 2009

Jacki rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult-fiction

I felt like the author said to herself: "I'm going to really revamp the Cinderella classic! I'm gonna give the girl a backstory like you wouldn't believe! and it's going to be cute, and funny, and there will be all kinds of mythical creatures in it! It's going to be wholly other-worldly! And she's going to go on this awesome journey that's going to be epic and life changing!"

All that ended halfway through the book: The journey, the special creatures, the seemingly important...more

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Feb 05, 2009

Laura Spaulding rated it

· review of another edition

This was my absolute favorite book when I was a kid. I still have my first copy of it; the poor thing is so tattered and yellowed. It's a story about a girl placed under a spell by a fairy at birth and the journey she goes on to rid herself of the curse. Fairies, trolls, evil step mothers, magic-you name it, this book has it. I refuse to see the disney movie version. The book (although a fairy tale) was rather dark (death, curses, evil people, ect), and i'm sure disney completely butchered that.

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Sep 09, 2008

Dawn Michelle rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: books-read-in-2008

Well. I have never seen a movie AND then read a book that was SO different from the movie EVER!!!! In reading this, I had the movie in mind and was really confused as I was reading! The only thing from this book that was in the movie---ok, there are three things: 1. Ella has to obey, 2. her father travels (but in the movie they are close unlike the book), and 3. he marries someone YUCKY. Otherwise, it is ALL different. OH, and she does travel around looking for Lucinda (who is beautiful in the m...more

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Sep 01, 2008

Danielle rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Everyone :)

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, all-time-favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 18, 2009

Enna Moon rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: to-reread, i-own-it, high-fantasy, fantasty

I love this book so much! It is absolutely my favorite book! If you havn't read it you've got to! I have the audiobook on my iPod and practically have it memorized. I think anyone one can enjoy this book, but I would especially reccomend it to fantasy lovers. It is set in the same world as Fairest.

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Aug 12, 2011

Pamela(AllHoney) rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: children-ya-fiction, fantasy-paranormal, fairy-tale-retellings, 1st-pov

I'm not sure if I'm letting the movie influence my rating but the book and the movie have almost nothing in common except for a few names and the infamous curse. The book was okay for me. I could easily tell it was written for children. There wasn't much time spent on developing the characters or plot or the setting. I think I would have liked to see a little more time setting the stage and understanding the world in which the story takes place in. I would definitely recommend it to the younger ...more

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May 23, 2008

Kendra rated it

· review of another edition

If you've seen the movie without reading the book, YOU ARE MISSING OUT! If you haven't seen the movie, make sure you read the book before you do, and I hope you do (well, at least read the book). The book explores the life of a girl growing up in the times of fairies and ogres, giants and elves, and let's not forget the evil stepmother and stepsister! Ella is a smart girl with a curse. At her birth a fairy gave Ella the "gift" of obedience. Immediately, this proves to be a bad gift. If...more

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May 05, 2007

Heather rated it

Shelves: j-books, remade-fairy-tales, supernatural-fantasy

One of my very favorite young adult books! When Ella of Frell was born she received the gift of obedience from a fairy. But it is not really a gift at all! Ella must be obedient to whatever anyone tells her to do! If someone tell her to hop on one foot for a day she has to do it! Ella decides to set out and find this fairy and change her destiny. This book is charming and humorous and enriches the original "Cinderella" tale. Ogres, witches, fairy godmothers, giants, and wicked s...more

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Sep 14, 2009

Skyler Rowan rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 25-books-for-ela

The book was fantastic the way they incorporated magic into it was hilarious.I found out that love has no bounds and that you have to always believe in yourself and not listen to what others say about you

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Apr 09, 2008

Barbara rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Grades 5-8

Shelves: fantasy

CIP summary: In this novel based on the story of Cinderella, Ella struggles against the childhood curse that forces her to obey any order given to her.

Pithy Review: This funny, lively, and welcome reexamination of the Cinderella theme has many new twists and a spunky heroine who creatively fights to overcome her ‘gift’ of obedience.

Kirkus Reviews: Starred review. "..refreshing take on one of the world's most popular fairy tales..."
School Library Journa...more

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Oct 04, 2008

Jackie "the Librarian" rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: ages 11 and up

Shelves: fantasy, fairytalesretold, youngadult, awardwinners

I love the little twist to this story of Cinderella - that she was given the gift of perfect obedience by her fairy godmother. Just imagine if you had to do anything anyone told you to! And you got stuck with that evil stepmother and stepsisters.
Ella has GOT to get rid of her fairy godmother's gift, not just because of the steps, but also because she's fallen in love with the prince. She doesn't trust herself not to endanger him in her current condition.
So off Ella goes to track down...more

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Dec 27, 2010

Joyzi rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Girls

Recommended to Joyzi by: Just pick it on booksale

Shelves: watched-it, own, fairytale-retelling, books-to-movies, didn-t-finish-skimmed, disappointing-books, don-t-judge-me, fantasy, fiction, reviewed

I didn't really know what's wrong with this book since I really love the movie version of this one undoubtedly. Of course the movie has Anne Hathaway and it has a musical/fairy tale theme but the book is really boring IMO and the exposition just bored me to death.

The book sucks I didn't even finish it.

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Feb 28, 2009

Diana rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 9th-advisory

Ella Enchanted
By Gail Carson Levine
232 pgs.
Scholastic Inc., 555 Broadway, New York, NY10012
Scholastic Inc. $3.99
ISBN 0-590-64608-7

Ella Frellan in Ella Enchanted is a girl who grew up with a spell as a gift. This spell was "the gift of obedience", as her god-mother Lucinda names it. As a young girl, Ella was a baby who kept on crying. After a while when Lucinda got annoyed and couldn't take it anymore, she cast this uncontrollable spell on Ella....moreElla Enchanted
By Gail Carson Levine
232 pgs.
Scholastic Inc., 555 Broadway, New York, NY10012
Scholastic Inc. $3.99
ISBN 0-590-64608-7

Ella Frellan in Ella Enchanted is a girl who grew up with a spell as a gift. This spell was "the gift of obedience", as her god-mother Lucinda names it. As a young girl, Ella was a baby who kept on crying. After a while when Lucinda got annoyed and couldn't take it anymore, she cast this uncontrollable spell on Ella. From then on, Ella was a girl who had to obey everyone's commands. Although if people were just joking around and didn't mean for her to do any harm, she still takes it seriously and does it. Every time when a command is said, her body "responds" and "lightens up" to a straight sitting or standing position, as if she is a soldier in the army.

Trying to keep her safety from her stepmother and stepsisters after her mother's death, she tries to hide the fact about the uncontrollable spell. If it is known, then they would do many things to harm Ella, since they never had such a great relationship. As time passed by, Ella finally had the courage to go and find Lucinda. As she is on her way, she meets Prince Char, the guy whom she falls in love with. Despite the fact that this book is similar to Cinderella, Ella must use her intelligence and depend on herself to find her godmother to release the spell.

A reason why I like this book is because of the themes within it. Intelligence, Love, Family, and others. Ella, on her own with no body she knows of, goes on a far away journey. Dangerously, she goes to many places when she doesn't even know where she is. She hasn't been any where around this place and to me, that is just crazy. Family was one important theme in this book because her step-sisters and step-mother doesn't treat her in any good way. Everything nice that Ella has, those "sisters" of hers would want, which leads to them taking all of Ella's things. With that, Ella is left with all the old and dirty clothes there are when her step-family has the best of everything.

I also like this book because of its plot. Using her determination and knowledge, she finally finds her god mother and is released from that uncontrollable spell. For me, I like books with happy endings; especially the ones when it starts out to be bad and ends up being good. This is because I like seeing these people happy, especially after what has been their past.

I would recommend this book to anyone because I really liked it, but this book is really for ones who are from ages 9-14. I hope that everyone is able to pick up this book anywhere and will have a chance to read it. I know that when people are reading this book, they wouldn't want to put it down. This is especially when there is a movie to this book. People can compare the similarities and differences between both of these, just like what I did. I believe that they would also be able to realize the similarities and differences.
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Feb 06, 2009

Lauren rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: fantasy fans, fairytale lovers

Recommended to Lauren by: a friend

Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi, children

One of the best children's fantasy fiction books of the last decade, Ella Enchanted is a gripping, whimsical though sometimes eerie, and lovable story.
Ella is different than most girls. When she was born, she was cursed to do everything she's commanded to do. Extreme obedience, if you will. So, she sets out looking for the faerie who bestowed the "gift" on her, unsupported, really, by her negligent father and cruel stepmother/siblings, who have sent her to a private schoo...more

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Jan 31, 2009

Sella Thorne rated it

· review of another edition

This book was so good that I literally couldn't put it down- I read it all in one evening. The story and plot is so captivating, and Levine has an amazing writing style. Every page I turned, I needed to know more. And the beginning was so intriguing, it drew me right in! The ending made me smile. Levine knows how to grab you and hold you steadfast, and she has a way of words. This was very creative!

I especially love how Arieida, a character from Levine's Fairest, was in here. And it'...more

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Jan 08, 2009

Melanie rated it

· review of another edition

This is Gail Carson Levine's first and best book as well as one of the best fairy tale retellings by a current author. Levine tells the story of Ella, the fifteen-year-old daughter of a lord and lady in Frell, an imaginary, sort-of-Renaissance-y place. Ella loses her mother, finds her fairy godmother, acquires an evil stepfamily, and is shipped off to finishing school all within the first few fast-paced chapters. All of these events are made incredibly difficult by Ella's curse: she is forced...more

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hollywood ruined the movie	147	416	Jan 28, 2012 12:15pm
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About Gail Carson Levine

Gail Carson Levine grew up in New York City and has been writing all her life. Her first book for children, Ella Enchanted, was a 1998 Newbery Honor Book. Levine's other books include Fairest; Dave at Night, an ALA Notable Book and Best Book for Young Adults; The Wish; The Two Princesses of Bamarre; and the six Princess Tales books. She is also the author of the nonfiction book Writing Magic: Crea...more

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Trivia About Ella Enchanted

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Quotes from Ella Enchanted

“I wished she’d never stop squeezing me. I wished I could spend the rest of my life as a child, being slightly crushed by someone who loved me.” — 165 people liked it

“Do you like to slide?" His voice was eager.
Stair rails! Did he suspect me? I forced a sigh. "No, Majesty. I'm terrified of heights."
"Oh." His polite tone had returned.
"I wish I could enjoy it. This fear of heights is an affliction."
He nodded, a show of sympathy but not much interest. I was losing him.
"Especially," I added, "as I've grown taller.” — 103 people liked it

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Ella Enchanted

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