Gail Carson Levine is a Newberry Honor Author who writes predominately fairytale-retelling novels, although some are mythology retellings! The majority of her stories have female protagonists who have to deal with magic of some sort. Those of all ages are sure to enjoy her books, as they usually have a message of kindness, having courage, and being yourself.
Ella Enchanted
Likely the book that everyone has in mind when Gail Carson Levine's name come up in conversation. Hollywood even made it into a movie!
At her birth, Ella of Frell receives a foolish fairy's gift—the “gift” of obedience. Ella must obey any order, whether it's to hop on one foot for a day and a half, or to chop off her own head! But strong-willed Ella does not 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 forever.
A tween favorite for 25 years—now shared with today's young readers by moms, teachers, and other adults who remember the pleasure of discovering this fun fairy-tale retelling themselves! - Amazon
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The Fairy's Mistake
A shorter story, but just as witty as Ella Enchanted!
In The Fairy's Mistake, two very different sisters have two very different encounters with the fairy Ethelinda. Rosella is kind and helpful. Her reward: Jewels and gems tumble out of her mouth whenever she speaks. Myrtle is rude and spiteful. Her punishment: Bugs and vipers slither out of her mouth. The fairy Ethelinda feels she's meted out justice just right - until she discovers Rosella has been locked up by a greedy prince and Myrtle is having the time of her life! - Amazon
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The Princess Test
Another shorter twisted classic for an easy read.
In The Princess Test, King Humphrey has decided its time for his son, Prince Nicholas, to marry. But he must make sure the bride is a real princess. So he devises a series of princess tests, designed to weed out the phonies and the fakes. Meanwhile, Nicholas has fallen in love with Lorelei, a mere blacksmith's daughter. She's no princess, but he wants to marry her all the same - but how will she ever pass the terrible tests? - Amazon
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Ogre Enchanted
A more recent tale set in Ella Enchanted's world, this time involving everyone's favorite monster, an ogre!
Evie is happiest when she is healing people, diagnosing symptoms and prescribing medications, with the help of her devoted friend (and test subject) Wormy. So when Wormy unexpectedly proposes to her, she kindly turns him down; she has far too much to do to be marrying anyone. And besides, she simply isn’t in love with him.
But a certain meddling fairy named Lucinda has been listening in, and she doesn’t approve of Evie’s rejection. Suddenly, Evie finds herself transformed from a girl into a hideous, hungry ogre!
Stuck in this new and confusing form, Evie now has only 62 days to accept another proposal - or else be stuck as an ogre forever. - Amazon
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Sparrows in the Wind
Instead of retelling a fairy tale, this is a retelling of Greek Mythology.
Cassandra, a princess of Troy and follower of Apollo, is delighted when the god himself appears to her. Apollo asks to love her in exchange for giving her future sight, and she agrees—but recoils when he kisses her. Enraged, the god transforms his gift into a curse: Cassandra’s visions will never be believed.
After horrifying images of coming war and death pour into her mind, and with no one to heed her warnings, Cassandra risks her safety again and again to avert the disaster awaiting Troy.
But it will take years—and the friendship of an Amazon warrior princess named Rin—for Cassandra to find hope of success in reversing the course of the war. - Amazon
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About the Author
Rachel is the Youth Services Assistant. She loves to read science fiction and romance novels. She also loves to watch terrible B-movies that no one likes.