Buckeye Children's Book Award
2001 · Grades 6-8 · Nominee
About This Book
How can a fairy's blessing be such a curse?
At her birth, Ella of Frell was the unfortunate recipient of a foolish fairy's gift--the "gift' of obedience. Ella must obey any order given to her, whether it's hopping on one foot for a day and a half, or chopping off her own head! But strong-willed Ella does not tamely 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--once and for all.
In this incredible debut novel comes the richly entertaining story of Ella of Frell, who at birth was given the gift of obedience by a fairy. Ella soon realizes that this gift is little better than a curse, for how can she truly be herself if at anytime anyone can order her to hop on one foot, or 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 quest to break the curse once and for all and discover who she really is is as sharply funny as Catherine, Called Birdyand as richly poignant as Beauty, and has all the marks of a classic in the making.
At her birth, Ella of Frell was the unfortunate recipient of a foolish fairy's gift--the "gift' of obedience. Ella must obey any order given to her, whether it's hopping on one foot for a day and a half, or chopping off her own head! But strong-willed Ella does not tamely 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--once and for all.
In this incredible debut novel comes the richly entertaining story of Ella of Frell, who at birth was given the gift of obedience by a fairy. Ella soon realizes that this gift is little better than a curse, for how can she truly be herself if at anytime anyone can order her to hop on one foot, or 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 quest to break the curse once and for all and discover who she really is is as sharply funny as Catherine, Called Birdyand as richly poignant as Beauty, and has all the marks of a classic in the making.
Series Placement
Awards
Colorado Blue Spruce Award
2001 · Young Adult · Nominee
California Young Reader Medal
2000 · Middle School · Winner
Iowa Teen Award
2000 · Young Adult · Winner
Nutmeg Book Award
2000 · Grades 4-6 · Nominee
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award
2000 · Grades 4-8 · Winner
Sasquatch Award
2000 · Children/Young Adult · Nominee
Young Hoosier Book Award
2000 · Grades 6-8 · Winner
Young Reader's Choice Award
2000 · Grades 4-8 · Nominee
Black-Eyed Susan Award
1999 · Grades 6-9 · Winner
Grand Canyon Reader Award
1999 · Teen · Winner
Iowa Children's Choice (ICCA) Award
1999 · Children's · Nominee
Maine Student Book Award
1999 · Grades 4-8 · Winner
Bookseller's Choice
1998 · Middle Readers · Winner
Newbery Medal
1998 · Children's · Honor Book
Genres & Themes
Genres
Subgenres
Themes
Characters & Occupations
Age Level
Buy This Book
Formats & Editions
Browse the different covers, formats, and publication history for this title.
Paperback
Audio
Large Print
Hardcover
Buy