ByGailCarsonLevine | Storyfulls

A Tale of Two Castles

Author: Gail Carson Levine Genre: Fantasy Fiction Illustrator: Greg Call

Newbery Honor author of Ella Enchanted Gail Carson Levine weaves a spellbinding tale about a clever heroine, a dragon detective, and a shape-shifting ogre. Newly arrived in the town of Two Castles, Elodie unexpectedly becomes the assistant to a brilliant dragon named Meenore--and together, they begin to solve mysteries. Their most important case concerns the town’s shape-shifting ogre, Count Jonty Um, who believes someone is plotting against him. Elodie must disguise herself to discover the source of the threat amid a cast of characters that includes a greedy king, a giddy princess, and a handsome cat trainer. Readers who loved Ella Enchanted and Fairest will delight in this tale of a spirited heroine who finds friendship where she least expects it and discovers that goodness comes in all shapes and sizes. Read more

Ella Enchanted

Author: Gail Carson Levine Genre: Fantasy Fiction

That fool of a fairy Lucinda did not intend to lay a curse on me. She meant to bestow a gift. When I cried inconsolably through my first hour of life, my tears were her inspiration. Shaking her head sympathetically at Mother, the fairy touched my nose. "My gift is obedience. Ella will always be obedient. Now stop crying, child." I stopped. So begins this richly entertaining story of Ella of Frell, who wants nothing more than to be free of Lucinda's gift and feel that she belongs to herself. For how can she truly belong to herself if she knows that at any time, anyone can order her to hop on one foot, cut off her hand, or betray her kingdom--and she'll have to obey? Against a bold tapestry of princes, ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, and fairy godmothers, Ella's spirited account of her quest to break the curse is a funny, poignant, and enchanting tale about an unforgettable heroine who is determined to be herself. Eden Riegel provided the voice of Young Miriam in the animated feature film Prince of Egypt, and has appeared in the film Into the Woods. Her television credits include recurring roles on New York Undercover, As the World Turns and Guiding Light. On Broadway, she was one of the original cast members of Les Miserables and performed in The Will Rogers Follies. Read more

Ella Enchanted: A Newbery Honor Award Winner

Author: Gail Carson Levine Genre: Fantasy Fiction

This beloved Newbery Honor-winning story about a feisty heroine is sure to enchant readers new and old. At her birth, Ella of Frell receives a foolish fairy's gift—the “gift” of obedience. Ella must obey any order, whether it's to hop on one foot for a day and a half, or to chop off her own head! But strong-willed Ella does not accept her fate... Against a bold backdrop of princes, ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, and fairy godmothers, Ella goes on a quest to break the curse forever. A tween favorite for 25 years—now shared with today's young readers by moms, teachers, and other adults who remember the pleasure of discovering this fun fairy-tale retelling themselves! What happens when the "gift" of obedience is the one thing that makes you a rebel? A Classic Fairy Tale Retelling: With a clever twist on the classic Cinderella story, this tale features wicked stepsisters, a fairy godmother, and a prince, but a heroine who is determined to save herself. A Strong and Feisty Heroine: Cursed with obedience, Ella of Frell is clever, defiant, and on a quest to reclaim her own free will from a foolish fairy’s "gift." Magic and Adventure: Journey through a kingdom filled with charming princes, dangerous ogres, friendly giants, and enchanting magic at every turn. A Sweet Fantasy Romance: A blossoming friendship with the handsome Prince Charmont gives Ella another powerful reason to fight her curse—and another secret to protect. Read more

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Books

A Tale of Two Castles

Ella Enchanted

Ella Enchanted: A Newbery Honor Award Winner