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Title: Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix, Rene Milot ISBN: 0-689-83128-5 Publisher: Aladdin Library Pub. Date: 10 July, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.02 (136 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: An entertaining retelling of Cinderella
Comment: More adult and reality-driven than Ella Enchanted, Just Ella is an interesting look at the "happily-ever-after" ending of the original fairy tale. Ella Brown in this story is fleshed out to become a realistic heroine forced to fit into the fragile and uncomfortable glass slippers of a princess. She shows herself to be resourceful and clever; however, for some reason, I never liked her as much as Ella of Frell from Ella Enchanted. Haddix, while very cleverly explaining the matters of the glass slippers and dress (think Ever After for the dress), never develops the characters enough to make them anything more than sketches of potential never fully realized. And I agree with a previous reviewer that the romance seemed a little predictable. (One of two eligible male characters in the book, the other of which is the insipid prince.) An interesting undercurrent in Just Ella was the true meaning of True Love, often mentioned so flippantly in fairy tales.
Just Ella didn't quite satisfy me-- it was neither as charming as Ella Enchanted, nor as psychologically intense as Donna Jo Napoli's retellings. What it did provide was an often ironic, imaginative and creatively rewritten Cinderella that was a definite departure from the usual fairy tale. For another Cinderella retelling, I highly recommend Silver Woven in my Hair, in which magic is inherent, though not implicitly stated. If you liked the court setting, The Crown and Court Duet by Sherwood Smith provides a more realistic (and less mocking) description of court life.
Rating: 4
Summary: Spicy and charming fairy tale
Comment: Just Ella is a "can't-put-it-down" sequel to the Cinderella fairy tale that finally answers some of the questions modern readers want to know. How could Cinderella manage to live happily ever after with a guy she only met once? If Cinderella had a fairy god mother, why didn't Snow White have one, too? Why was Prince Charming so entranced by a commoner? Why would anyone want to wear glass slippers, and how did Cinderella manage to dance in them all night without ending up with shards in her feet? I have a few seventh graders in my classes who will read this book and never forget it. But beware: there is language that will make some readers uncomfortable. Realists who like a spunky young woman for their heroine will love Just Ella
Rating: 5
Summary: Wonderful Retelling and Continuation of 'Cinderella'
Comment: Ella knows that she is beautiful, even though she is merely skin and bones thanks to her wicked stepmother and evil stepsister's mistreatment of her, but she still plans on going to the ball, and sweeping Prince Charming off of his feet. The plan goes perfectly, and soon Ella is living in the beautiful palace, planning her wedding to Prince Charming. But the palace isn't what she expected. She is unable to do anything for herself, and when she does, she is harshly reprimanded; she is unable to go outside, for fear that her pale skin will tan, and she is unable to have any friends, except for the ladies-in-waiting, whom Ella finds dreadfully boring. So she plans to break her engagement to the Prince, and go back to living outside of the palace walls. But when that plan goes awry, Ella decides that she must do something far more drastic. Escape.
I've read quite a few retelling's of the story of CINDERELLA, as well as many other fairytales, and I found this one to be quite exciting. Margaret Peterson Haddix has placed the most original spin on the tale so far, and, by doing that, has created a story that will please readers young and old. Ella is a spirited and bright young character, who is quite a role-model for girls, as she shows that females don't have to wait for their Prince Charming to come along, but rather they can take things into their own hands, and do whatever they please. Fans of fairytales will enjoy this one greatly.
Erika Sorocco
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Title: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine ISBN: 0064407055 Publisher: HarperTrophy Pub. Date: 30 August, 1998 List Price(USD): $6.50 |
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Title: The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine ISBN: 006440966X Publisher: HarperTrophy Pub. Date: 15 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: Zel by Donna Jo Napoli ISBN: 0141301163 Publisher: Puffin Pub. Date: November, 1998 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: The Wish by Gail Carson Levine ISBN: 0064473619 Publisher: HarperTrophy Pub. Date: 01 September, 2001 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: Sirena by Donna Jo Napoli ISBN: 0590383892 Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks Pub. Date: 01 November, 2000 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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