Her young tutor Jed, however, talks with her about serious things that really matter. Worst of all, Ella is beginning to suspect that Charming's beautiful blue eyes and golden hair are attached to a head with nothing in it.

In fact, it's downright boring for a self-reliant and active girl to do needlework all day or listen to instructions on court etiquette from the strict and cold Madame Bisset. But now she is finding that life at the palace as Prince Charming's betrothed is not as great as she thought it was going to be. In her version, Ella (sans 'Cinder') finds her own way to the ball (there was no fairy godmother, despite the rumors) and wins the heart of the prince. In Just Ella, Margaret Peterson Haddix puts a spin on the traditional tale of the glass slippers. 'synopsis' may belong to another edition of this title. And Prince Charming’s beautiful face hides a vacant soul.Įven as her life turns to misery, stories persist that Ella’s fairy godmother sent her to the ball: How else could the poor girl wear a beautiful gown, arrive in a coach, and dance in those glass slippers? But Ella got herself into the castle on her own-and that’s the only way she’s going to get out. Ella’s life becomes a meaningless schedule of protocol, which she fears she will never grasp. Pitiless and cold, the royals try to mold her into their vision of a princess. But after she is chosen to marry the prince-no magic involved-life with the royal family is not the happily ever after that Ella imagined.

The Cinderella legend gets a realistic twist in this enchantingly believable adventure from New York Times bestselling author Margaret Peterson Haddix that Booklist calls “provocative and entertaining.”Įlla dreams of going to the royal ball and marrying Prince Charming, just like every commoner in the kingdom of Fridesia.

Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix