Ella Enchanted By Gail Carson Levine

Book Overview:  Some would say she it was a gift, and some would say it was a curse. When Ella was born, she was blessed with obedience. She had to obey every command given to her. Througout the story she is commanded to give away her things, go to finishing school, lose her friends, and not to marry Char. Ella and Char love one another, but her stepsister commands her not to marry her. Read this novel to find out what obstacles Ella goes through to get through the curse and to what she wants!

Teaching Suggestions:

Key Vocabulary:
Curse
Enchanted
Magical
Obedience

Before Reading: This novel, Ella Enchanted, would be another popular book within the classroom library. Children can read this during free time or during IRW (independent reading workshop). When a child chooses this book, ask them:
"Judging by the title, what do you think this book could be about?"
"Does the cover illustrations give any clues to what the story may be about?"

During Reading: Students can make connections to Ella's life and their own. Maybe they've felt bullied around as Ella does with her curse of obedience. Perhaps they have felt love, sadness, desire, etc.

After Reading:  Students will receive the prompt, if you could be blessed with any gift/curse, like Ella's obedience, what would it be? Describe what consequences or benefits this gift/curse may bring to your life.

Extra Resources:
Classroom Discussion Guides for Ella Enchanted
Gail Carson Levine's Blog!

Gail Carson. Ella Enchanted. New York: Avon Books, 2003.