Just Ella
by Margaret Peterson Haddix

“And they lived happily ever after.” So ends the classic tale of Cinderella. But what if they didn’t live happily ever after? What if it wasn’t a fairy godmother, but her own determination to make her own way into the world, that got Ella to the ball? And what if it wasn’t true love, but short-lived infatuation, that made swept the misused orphan girl into Prince Charming’s arms? What if he wasn’t so charming...what if, in fact, Ella changed her mind about wanting to marry him?

That’s what this story is about. Instead of magic, you have the grit of one girl who is determined not to be stifled by the “proper place for women” in the manners of a medieval castle. Instead of the rags-to-riches story of the cinder-girl who becomes the prince’s bride, you have the riches-to-rags story of a reluctant princess whose dream turns into a nightmare. And instead of a coach turning into a pumpkin at the stroke of midnight, you have a long, desperate journey under cover of night.

For a truly original take on the Cinderella story, with a modern heroine struggling against medieval constraints, enjoy this brief novel from the author of Running Out of Time.

Robbie Fischer
USA

Recommended Age: 13+

If you would like to contact Robbie, you may do so here.