Throwback Thursday: Ella Enchanted

Lesley Anne and I (Jenny) are life-long readers; that is, we have loved reading our whole lives. Sure, we played football at recess with the boys, but we also had at least 4 books checked out from our school library at all times. We thought it would be fun to showcase some of the books that solidified our love of literature. If you, too, started your love affair with books as soon as you learned to read, you will probably recognize a lot of these. If your love of reading was something acquired later in life, you might have missed these gems. These books are near and dear to our hearts in a special way; it is through them we first learned the hidden power of words and imagination. The beauty of these books is that they remain just as wonderful to re-read as an adult. Ahh, the power of nostalgia :)

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Release Date: 1 January 1997

Pages: 240

Genre: Fantasy

Target Audience: Children, Middle Grades

Source and Format: Library; Softcover 

Summary (from Goodreads): 

At birth, Ella is inadvertently cursed by an imprudent young fairy named Lucinda, who bestows on her the "gift" of obedience. Anything anyone tells her to do, Ella must obey. Another girl might have been cowed by this affliction, but not feisty Ella: "Instead of making me docile, Lucinda's curse made a rebel of me. Or perhaps I was that way naturally." When her beloved mother dies, leaving her in the care of a mostly absent and avaricious father, and later, a loathsome stepmother and two treacherous stepsisters, Ella's life and well-being seem to be in grave peril. But her intelligence and saucy nature keep her in good stead as she sets out on a quest for freedom and self-discovery as she tries to track down Lucinda to undo the curse, fending off ogres, befriending elves, and falling in love with a prince along the way. Yes, there is a pumpkin coach, a glass slipper, and a happily ever after, but this is the most remarkable, delightful, and profound version of Cinderella you'll ever read.

Thoughts on Ella Enchanted:
I love Ella. She is spunky and true to herself. She does not try to conform to others' expectations. True to the Cinderella story, Ella is mistreated by her father, stepmother, and stepsisters. What I love (now that I'm old and can see these things more clearly) is how Ella fights her way through all of the challenges and obstacles life throws at her. She bears her burdens and does not complain (well, she only complains a little and only to her fairy godmother. That is what they are for, after all). She takes what life gives her and does not try to avoid living, even though her curse is really terrible. Instead of running away from her problems, she confronts them with a grit and determination that helps shape her into a very strong heroine. The best part? It is Elle herself who solves her problems. What a novel thought!

This book was my first taste of "love". The relationship between Prince Char and Ella is really, impossibly cute. You will be rooting for them more than any YA love triangle. (Did I mention I hate love triangles?). The way Gail Carson Levine works out what true love is will bring a tear to your eye, even if you would rather die than admit that.

Memorable Quote: 

“It is helpful to know the proper way to behave, so one can decide whether or not to be proper.” 

Yes, I am aware I am talking about a book for children/preteens. If you have not read it yourself, go do so. You will see I am 100% right and will probably thank me for introducing (or reintroducing) you to this wonderful young lady.  What about you? What books from your younger years did you absolutely fall in love with?