Just Ella

Just Ella

Margaret Peterson Haddix
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Copyright 1991

240 pages

Reading Level: 10 - 14 years 
Genre: Romance, Speculative fiction

Summary:

Just Ella is about Cinderella, only her name is Princess Cynthiana Eleanora, Ella for short. The book starts with Ella living in Prince Charming's Castle before their wedding and learning about the life and responsibilities of a princess. She gets fed up with the nothingness of being a princess until she gets a new tutor for religion. Jed Reston takes over that responsibility for his father, Lord Reston, and falls in love with the princess to be. Ella tells Jed her story of how she met the prince because she is shocked about the story of "Cinderella" and her fairy godmother. Jed leaves the castle to start a refugee camp for all those who have lost their homes in the war. Ella realizes that she is no longer in love with the prince and tells him that she is leaving. She ends up in the dungeon and has to dig her way out. When she is free, she goes home to get supplies so she can find Jed. On her journey, she hears that Prince Charming has married Cinderella and that they had a beautiful wedding. When Ella gets to Jed's camp, he proposes to her. Ella tells him that she needs time to think about her feelings because she thought she was in love with the prince. Jed's father dies and Jed has to go back to the castle to be the king's adviser. Ella stays in the camp and waits for Jed to come back so she can tell him that she wants to marry him.
Recommendations and Conflicts:
I would recommend this book to girls who love Cinderella. One problem with this book is that we briefly meet a character who is a rapist.
Reaction:
This is a good book for showing a twist on traditional fairy tales. It en engrossing and entertaining.