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Ella Enchanted

(1997, Fiction - Fairy Tale, Written by Gail Levine)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Highly imaginative twists on an old tale.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 11 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    To escape the cruelty of her stepsister, Ella runs away from boarding school.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    The heroine is captured by a group of people-eating ogres. Ella's mother dies and an evil stepmother takes her place.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Ella Enchanted

Parents need to know that highly imaginative twists on an old tale and a fast pace will keep readers turning the page. This spunky heroine keeps you rooting for her until the end.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • 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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Our Members Say

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See all 28 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    Perfect for everybody!!!

    LOVE IT

  2. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Such a powerful message to little girls. Save yourself!

  3. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Such a powerful message to little girls. Save yourself!

  4. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0

    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.

  5. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    What a fantastic book! A must-read for parents and children over the age of 10

    What a wonderful book! Written again by the fame-struck Gail Carson Levine. My kids both loved it and they are 8 and 11. I think it was a little too violent for my 8 year old, but she liked it anyway! She's a toughie and was trembling at the violent parts, so I'd say this book is better for 9 or 10 year olds...

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