This book is great, both the book and the movie!
Ella Enchanted
(1997, Fiction - Fairy Tale, Written by Gail Levine)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Highly imaginative twists on an old tale.
Themes in this book include: imagination, teamwork / cooperation
updated 02.09.10
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 11 and Up
The good stuff
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Role models:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Ella Enchanted was written by Stephany Aulenback
Parents need to know that highly imaginative twists on an old tale and a fast pace will keep readers turning the page.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about fairy tales.
- How is Ella different from Cinderella?
- What kind of lessons did you learn from the story of Cinderella?
- What do you learn from this reinvention of the story?
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More on Ella Enchanted
Book Summary
When Ella was an hour old, the fairy Lucinda "blessed" her with obedience. Whenever Ella is told to do something, she must do it, including promising never to reveal her terrible secret.
After her mother dies, Ella is sent to finishing school with her nasty stepsisters, Hattie and Olive. Hattie soon discovers the curse and takes advantage of Ella. Running away, Ella finds Lucinda and begs her to lift the curse, but the fairy refuses. Ella must go home and resign herself to a life of drudgery.
Her friend, Prince Charmont, is in love with her, but Ella knows she can never marry him--her curse would put him in grave danger. When he commands her to marry him, she struggles not to obey, cries out "No"-and breaks the curse! At last the liberated Ella and her beloved prince can truly live happily ever after.
Is It Any Good?
ELLA ENCHANTED is a rich and imaginative retelling of the Cinderella story as a young adult novel. At last readers get a reasonable explanation for Cinderella's meek behavior. Poor Ella isn't a doormat; she is literally cursed with obedience. But she is a strong and intelligent role model -- instead of taking her misfortune sitting down, she marches off to rid herself of the troublesome curse.
Learning her worries and dreams gives readers a reason to root for her. Prince Charmant becomes more than a name as we read the letters he and Ella write to each other. A cast of fantastic and familiar fairy-tale figures includes the foolish fairy who bestows gifts nobody wants, a wise fairy godmother who refuses to use magic for anything important, and a gnome toddler with a baby beard. Gail Carson Levine casts a spell and manages to remake a classic tale into something completely new.
Publisher’s Details
Publisher: HarperTrophy, Publication date: 1/1/1997
Number of pages: 232, Price: $6.50 (paperback)
Read Aloud: 11+, Read Alone: 11+
Number of pages: 232, Price: $6.50 (paperback)
Read Aloud: 11+, Read Alone: 11+
Our Members Say
See all 29 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Yay for Ella Enchanted!
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
Perfect for everybody!!!
LOVE IT
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Such a powerful message to little girls. Save yourself!
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Such a powerful message to little girls. Save yourself!
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Gail Carson Levine brings this enchanting book to life in Ella Enchanted!
What a wonderful book! I have a 2 year old and an 8 year old, and the 8 year old read it with me. We just finished it today. I think it was geared towards the older ones, so if your child is a bit scared of violence like mine, wait until he/she's at least 10. I am going to wait until my 2 year old is at least 10 because the 8 year old was very scared at parts. Overall, a great book! I am very pleased with my purchase and think Gail Carson Levine is a fabulous writer with a big imagination.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 40% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 40% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 40% | of parents say it's educational |
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