Just Ella (Margaret Peterson Haddix)

Author Biography

Margaret Peterson Haddix is a prolific, award-winning author of children’s and young adult literature, best known for the two series Shadow Children and The Missing. She lives in Columbus, Ohio

Published By: Simon & Schuster

Year: 1999

ISBN: 978-0-7614-5536-3

Reading Level: Grades 6 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

What if the story of Cinderella wasn’t really the fairy tale we’ve been told? And what if Ella’s “happily ever after” wasn’t so happy?

Ella Enchanted (Gail Carson Levine)

Author Biography

Gail Carson Levine is the award-winning author of numerous books for children and young adults, mostly inspired by fairy-tales. She lives in New York’s Hudson Valley.

Published By: HarperCollins

Year: 1997

ISBN: 978-0-06-440705-2

Reading Level: Grades 6 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

In this inventive “Cinderella” variation, a fairy’s spell forces Ella to obey every command she hears. But her inner strength, sharp wits, and love for Prince Char just might prove stronger than magic.

Mechanica (Betsy Cornwell)

Author Biography

Betsy Cornwell has written two YA fantasy novels, served as columnist and editor at Teen Ink, and taught multiple subjects at Notre Dame. She currently lives in Ireland.

Published By: Clarion Books

Year: 2015

ISBN: 978-0-547-92771-8

Reading Level: Grades 8 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

In this steampunk “Cinderella” retelling, mistreated stepdaughter Nick secretly hones her mechanical skills in her mother’s workshop. With the help of good friends and a little magic, will she invent her own happily ever after?

Bound (Donna Jo Napoli)

Author Biography

Donna Jo Napoli is head of the linguistics department at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. She has written dozens of books for children, tweens and young adults alike.

Published By: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Year: 2004

ISBN: 0-689-86175-3

Reading Level: Grades 9 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

In this Chinese-flavored “Cinderella” retelling, Xing Xing is an unwanted stepdaughter in a society where girls are worthless. But will she be bound by oppression forever?

Ash (Malinda Lo)

Author Biography:
Malinda Lo has written four LGBTQ-themed novels for young adults and is the former managing editor of AfterEllen.com, the largest entertainment news website for lesbians and bisexual women.

Published By: Little Brown and Co.

Year: 2009

ISBN: 978-0-316-04009-9

Reading Level: Grades 8 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

In this unique “Cinderella” retelling, Ash longs to escape from her stepmother’s house into the fairy world. Until she meets Kaisa, who gives her life new purpose and teaches her what it means to love.