Ella Enchanted

• Genre: Fiction; Fantasy; Middle Grade
• Originally Published: 1997
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 670L; Grades 3-7
• Structure/Length: Divided into 29 chapters and an epilogue; approximately 240 pages; approximately 5 hours and 43 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The protagonist, Ella, is cursed with the “gift” of obedience, which forces her to obey any command given to her. The central conflict revolves around Ella’s quest to find a fairy named Lucinda and get her to remove the curse, all while navigating a world filled with ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, and a prince she may or may not want to save.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of coercion and lack of autonomy; mild fantasy violence; elements of emotional manipulation

Gail Carson Levine, Author

• Bio: Born in 1947; American author best known for her children’s and young adult books; celebrated for her strong female protagonists, humor, and imaginative reinterpretations of classic tales
• Other Works: The Two Princesses of Bamarre (2001); Ever (2008); Fairest (2016)
• Awards: Newbery Honor for Ella Enchanted (2010)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Magic
• Romantic Love
• The Power of Family and Friendship

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Develop an understanding of the literary and sociological contexts related to the structure of classic fairy tales, which connects to Levine’s readaptation of the Cinderella story.