Review Detail

Reader reviewed by LJK

With Just Ella, Margaret Peterson Haddix joins the ranks of the many authors who have recently rewritten the Cinderella story. The difference here is that Haddix begins her story after Ella has won the heart of Prince Charming; the only problem is that he isn't so charming, and Ella isn't living a fairy tale life. Life in the castle is stiffling (she can't even go outside!) and Ella soon discovers that little exists behind Charming's pretty face. The question is: can she do anything about it?

Although there were times in this book when I had Ella Enchanted and Ever After in my head, Haddix does a nice job of telling what comes after the fairy tale. Ella needs more strength and courage to escape the palace than she did to get into it in the first place. There are some fairly scary moments (a rapist for a jailer?) that make this book inappropriate for very young children, but others will enjoy the mix of adventure and romance.