Gail Carson Levine
A Fairytale Ending By Sue Corbett
Once upon a time, Gail Carson Levine worked for the state of New York, helping welfare recipients find jobs. She fancied herself a painter, except for the small problem that she loathed painting.
"I was much too hard on myself," Levine recalls. "If the painting wasn't ready for a museum in the first 15 minutes, it was no good."
She painted for twenty years.
Then she took a class about creating children's picture books which required her to paint AND write. A light bulb went off. Out went the sketchpad. Into her briefcase for the two-hour commute to the city each day went a writing tablet.
Fast forward to 2004 and the imminent release of Ella Enchanted, a film starring Anne Hathaway, based very much on the best-selling, award-winning novel of the same name by . . . Gail Carson Levine.
"I wrote most of that book on the train," Levine said, in a telephone interview from her Putnam County, NY home this week.
Levine, 56, will make two appearances in Miami Thursday to promote the film, which opens April 9, and her Newbery Honor-winning book, a clever and hilarious retelling of the Cinderella story that is already a well-established favorite among pre-teen girls.
Since the publication of Ella in 1997, Levine has proven her impulse to put away her paintbrush was the right one. She's churned out a series of fairy tale retellings under the series title, The Princess Tales; an original fairy tale, The Two Princesses of Bamarre, and a contemporary novel, The Wish. Her novel, Dave At Night, is about a boy in an Harlem orphanage during the 1920s - a story based on the life of her father, a Sephardic Jew who emigrated to the U.S. and loss both parents to illness at an early age.
"It is the one closest to my heart," Levine said. Both her mother and father died before Ella, her first book, was published.
That book instantly made Levine's reputation. Cinderella variants are a dime a dozen, but Ella Enchanted introduced a feisty, feminist, funny and frustrated heroine. "Blessed" at birth by a fairy who gave her the "gift of obedience," Ella must do anything put to her in a declarative sentence. In the movie, Levine says, when someone tells Ella, played by Princess Diaries star' Hathaway, to hold her tongue, she must not just be quiet. She must physically HOLD her tongue. Levine's Cinderella also has to contend with a nasty stepmother and two stepsisters - one dumber than a box of rocks, the other deliciously evil - while she tries to find a way to lift the curse. Plus, she's in love.
The film also stars Cary Elwes and Joanna Lumley. Levine, who spent time on the set in Ireland and who had consulting rights to the screenplay, has already seen it. Many authors are horrified by what Hollywood does to their novels, but Ella Enchanted is a fairy tale, so, appropriately, it has a happy ending for the author.
"The truth is, I like it very much," she said.
Contributor Sue Corbett reviews children's books for Publishers Weekly and the Miami Herald. She is the author of 12 Again (Dutton).
For more information on Gail Carson Levine, please visit her website.
Reviews
Dave at Night
Gail Carson Levine
Dave is an orphan since his father died and his stepmother consigned him to the Hebrew Home for Boys. Unwilling to accept the fact that no one wants him, he escapes from the orphanage one night to discover Solly--an ancient bearded fortune teller--and the excitement of Harlem by night. Dave finds a friend in Irma Lee, a rich little black girl, then must decide where he really belongs--in the jazzy world of Harlem, or with his new "buddies" at the orphanage. Levine's story is based on her own father's adventures in a New York City orphanage during the 1920's. It's a fast, heart-felt read. 1999, HarperCollins, $15.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Best Books for Young Adults, 2000; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2000; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Books in the Middle: Outstanding Books, 1999; Voice of Youth Advocates; United States
Capitol Choices, 1999; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
Capitol Choices, 2000; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
Not Just for Children Anymore!, 2000; Children's Book Council; United States
Notable Books for Children, 2000; American Library Association-ALSC; United States
Parent's Guide to Children's Media, 1999; Parent's Guide to Children's Media, Inc.; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, August 1999; Cahners; United States
Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002; California Department of Education; California
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, September 1999; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal: Best Books, 1999; Cahners; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
ABC Children's Booksellers Choices Award Winner 2000 Middle Grade Readers United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Garden State Children's Book Award, 2002; Nominee; Fiction; New Jersey
Great Stone Face Award, 2000-2001; Nominee; New Hampshire
Great Stone Face Award, 2001-2002; Nominee; New Hampshire
Mark Twain Award, 2001; Nominee; Missouri
Massachusetts Children's Book Award, 2002; Nominee; Massachusetts
The Nene Award, 2005; Nominee; Hawaii
Nutmeg Children's Book Award, 2003; Nominee; Connecticut
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award, 2001-2002; Nominee; Grades 6-8; Pennslyvania
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award, 2002; Nominee; Illinois
The Sasquatch Reading Award, 2003; Nominee; Washington
South Carolina Book Awards, 2001-2002; Nominee; Junior Book; South Carolina
Virginia Young Readers Program, 2000-2001; Nominee; Middle School; Virginia
Volunteer State Book Award, 2001-2002; Nominee; Young Adult; Tennessee
Young Hoosier Book Award, 2001-2002; Nominee; Grades 6-8; Indiana
Curriculum Tools:
Link to Reading Guides at HarperCollins
ISBN: 0-06-028154-5
ISBN: 0-06-028153-7
ISBN: 0-06-440747-0
Ella Enchanted
Gail Carson Levine
Gail Levine, who won a well-deserved Newbery honor award in for Ella Enchanted, may have inspired some recent Cinderella stories. This story, which is new in paperback, seems to be the retelling response of an author who loves fairy tales, but hates Cinderella's wimpy character. Levine's Ella is compliant because she lives under the curse of a fairy who's given her a birth "gift" of obedience. As the plot unwinds, it explains all the traditional elements in an untraditional way, as Ella, an adventuresome linguist, takes us around her world of ogres, giants, and magical creatures. She uses wit and humor that win her the heart of the hero, Prince Charm, and lots of new reading fans, too! 1999, HarperTrophy, $5.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Susie Wilde (Children's Literature).
When the fairy Lucinda bestows the "gift" of obedience on Ella at birth, she had not foreseen the horror that would be Ella's life. Imagine having to follow every command. "Jump off the cliff!" "EAT!" She could even be made to betray her kingdom. Ella is a take charge heroine who weaves her own magic spell as she confronts ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, and a charming prince with cleverness and determination. This deserves book of the year with its winning combination of humor and adventure. 1997, HarperCollins, $14.95, $14.89 and $4.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman (Children's Literature).
In a world populated with elves, gnomes and ogres, a young girl lives under the spell of the fairy Lucinda. The spell decrees that Ella must always be obedient. Lucinda meant it to be a gift, but it is a curse. As Ella grows up, she is forced to obey, not merely just orders, but any order put to her directly. This leads to dreadful consequences after her mother's death and her father's remarriage. Enter the evil stepmother, two unattractive, crude stepsisters and a handsome prince. In a take off on Cinderella, Ella dances the night away in glass slippers and finally finds the strength to break the spell. The underlying message is that little girls are told from birth to be nice and obedient, but at some point, women must take control of their own lives. Written for ages 8 and up, the vocabulary level is a bit high and the death of the mother in the beginning of the book could be troubling to a child of 8 or 9. 1997, HarperCollins, $14.95 and $14.89. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford (Children's Literature).
Obedience. That was her curse. Upon birth, the fairy Lucinda bestowed the gift of obedience on Ella, which very nearly wrecked her life. Fortunately for her, two-chinned, frizzy-haired Mandy was more than the housekeeper, cook and nanny. While Mandy couldn't prevent problems for Ella, she was able to give her fairy gifts that enabled Ella to help herself. This "expansion" of the classic Cinderella tale will delight middle school readers with its magic, action, humor, drama, and hint of romance. 1997, HarperCollins, $14.95 and $14.89. Ages 9 to 14. Reviewer: Mary Sue Preissner (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K--Grade 6, 12th Edition, 1999; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Best Books for Young Adults, 1998; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
Best Children's Books of the Year, 1997; Bank Street College of Education; United States
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 1998; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Best Fantasy for Youth, 1998; American Library Association-Booklist-Booklist; United States
Best First Novels for Youth, 1998; American Library Association-Booklist; United States
Booklist Book Review Stars, 1997; United States
Books for You: An Annotated Booklist for Senior High, Fourteenth Edition, 2001; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Books in the Middle: Outstanding Books, 1997; Voice of Youth Advocates; United States
Capitol Choices, 1997; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
The Children's Literature Choice List, 1998; Children's Literature; United States
Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 1997; American Library Association-Booklist; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, 1997; United States
Los Angeles' 100 Best Books, 1997; IRA Children's Literature and Reading SIG and the Los Angeles Unified School District; United States
Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000; H.W. Wilson; United States
Notable Books for Children, 1998; American Library Association-ALSC; United States
Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts, 1998; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, March 1997; Cahners; United States
Publishers Weekly, The Cuffies: Children's Booksellers Choose Their Favorite (and not-so-favorite) Books of the Year, 1997; Cahners; United States
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 1998; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002; California Department of Education; California
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, April 1997; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal: Best Books, 1997; Cahners; United States
Young Adults' Choices, 1999; International Reading Association; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
ABC Children's Booksellers Choices Award Winner 1998 Middle Grade Readers United States
Arizona Young Readers' Award Winner 1999 Middle School Arizona
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Winner 2000 Gr. 6-9 Maryland
California Young Reader Medal Winner 2000 Middle School California
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award Winner 1999 Vermont
Emphasis on Reading Winner 1999 Grades 3-5 Alabama
Iowa Teen Award Winner 2000 Iowa
John Newbery Medal Honor Book 1998 United States
Maine Student Book Award Winner 1999 Maine
Massachusetts Children's Book Award Honor Book 2000 Massachusetts
Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature Finalist 1999 Children's Literature United States
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award Winner 2000 Illinois
Young Hoosier Book Award Winner 2000 Gr. 6-8 Indiana
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
California Young Reader Medal, 2000; Nominee; Middle School/Junior High; California
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, 1999-2000; Nominee; Grades 6-9; Maryland
Buckeye Children's Book Award, 2001; Nominee; Grades 6-8; Ohio
California Young Reader Medal, 2000; Nominee; Middle School; California
Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award Reading List, 1999-2000; Nominee; Arkansas
Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award, 2001; Nominee; Colorado
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, 1999; Nominee; Vermont
Evergreen Young Adult Book Award, 2000; Nominee; Washington
Georgia Children's Literature Awards, 1999; Nominee; Grades 4-8; Georgia
The Golden Archer Award, 2000-2001; Nominee; Middle/Junior High; Wisconsin
Great Stone Face Award, 1998-1999; Nominee; New Hampshire
Indian Paintbrush Book Award, 2002; Nominee; Wyoming
Iowa Children's Choice Award, 1999-2000; Nominee; Iowa
Maine Student Book Award, 1998-1999; Nominee; Maine
Mark Twain Award, 1999-2000; Nominee; Missouri
Massachusetts Children's Book Award, 2000; Nominee; Massachusetts
Michigan Reader's Choice Award, 2000; Nominee; Grades 3-5; Michigan
The Nene Award, 2002; Nominee; Hawaii
The Nene Award, 2003; Nominee; Hawaii
Nevada Young Readers' Award, 1999; Nominee; Intermediate; Nevada
Nutmeg Children's Book Award, 2000; Nominee; Connecticut
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award, 1999-2000; Nominee; Pennsylvania
Prairie Pasque Award, 2000; Nominee; South Dakota
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award, 2000; Nominee; Illinois
Rhode Island Children's Book Award, 1999; Nominee; Rhode Island
South Carolina Book Awards, 2000; Nominee; Junior Book; South Carolina
South Carolina Book Awards, 2000; Nominee; Children's Book; South Carolina
Texas Bluebonnet Award, 1998-1999; Nominee; N/A; Texas
Utah Children's Book Awards, 1999; Nominee; Children's Fiction; Utah
William Allen White Children's Book Award, 1999-2000; Nominee; Kansas
Curriculum Tools:
Link to Reading Guides at HarperCollins
ISBN: 0-06-027510-3
ISBN: 0-06-027511-1
The Fairy's Mistake
Gail Carson Levine
Illustrated by Mark Elliott
In this new "Princess Tale," good twin Rosella goes to the well for the 4,088th time and gives water to a fairy disguised as a thirsty old woman. Rosella's reward? Precious gems cascade from her mouth with every word. But when evil twin Myrtle heads for the well to find the old lady and reap a similar reward, she finds a knight and refuses to help him. Instead of gems, reptiles and insects fall from her mouth. But alas, no good deed goes unpunished. Rosella accepts the marriage proposal of a greedy prince, who makes her talk past the point of exhaustion to produce the jewels that will finance a new palace. Meanwhile, Myrtle gets whatever she wants by threatening to speak unless the town merchants give her gowns and other finery. Mortified, the fairy threatens to take away Myrtle's punishment-turned-reward unless she agrees to help Rosella out of the predicament created by her reward-turned-punishment. The sisters momentarily trade places, the prince thinks his betrothed spits snakes when she is angry, the fairy becomes more careful when dispensing justice, and everyone lives happily ever after. Clever writing and a witty rendition of the "Toads and Diamonds" fairy tale make this book hard to put down. Levine is the author of Ella Enchanted, a Newberry Honor Book. 1999, HarperCollins, $8.95. Ages 7 to 12. Reviewer: Julie Steinberg, J.D. (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
The Children's Literature Choice List, 2000; Children's Literature; United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Garden State Children's Book Award, 2002; Nominee; Fiction; New Jersey
ISBN: 0-06-028060-3
ISBN: 0-06-028061-1
The Fairy's Return
Gail Carson Levine
Illustrated by Mark Elliott
This is a story that deals with fairies, a princess named Lark, and a baker's son named Robin. In a typical plot, the princess cannot marry a commoner. The princess is the first person to laugh at Robin's jokes, and he is the only one who can make Lark laugh. The entertaining plot is woven so the two find their love for each other and eventually marry. Some readers might find the made-up words the king uses to be distracting, but it is a book that girls will find particularly appealing. (Princess Tales) Nonfiction (398.2). Grades 4-6. 2002, HarperCollins, 104p., $14.89. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Virginia Gleaton (Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 15, No. 3)).
Best Books:
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2003; H.W. Wilson; United States
Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts, 2003; NCTE Children's Literature Assembly; United States
ISBN: 0-06-623800-5
ISBN: 0-06-623801-3
For Biddle's Sake
Gail Carson Levine
Illustrated by Mark Elliott
Levine adds another chapter to "The Princess Tales" series with this retelling of Andrew Lang's Puddocky. Parsley, a young girl with a beautiful green smile, will eat nothing but parsley that only grows in the garden of Bombina, a fairy. All is well until Bombina is released from the fairy queen's dungeon for turning humans into toads. Meanwhile, at Biddle Castle, twin princes Randolph and Rudolph cause all kinds of trouble and blame everything on their younger brother, Tansy. Rudolph, Randolph and Tansy are out one day and meet Parsley at Bombina's fairy home. Tansy and Parsley are immediately enchanted with each other but Bombina becomes jealous and zaps a spell on Tansy to turn him in to a toad. Unfortunately, Parsley jumps in the way of the spell and becomes the frog. The only way for Parsley to return to human form is if a young man proposes marriage to her of his own free will. As in all fairy tales, the evil twin princes get what they deserve and Parsley returns to human form after Tansy falls in love with the frog. Teens enthralled by fairy tales by the author of Ella Enchanted will fall in love with her latest story. 2003, G. P. Putnam's Sons/Penguin Putnam Books, $16.99. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Terri L. Lent (Children's Literature).
This story revolves around a fairy and a young girl named Parsley, so named because she only eats parsley. The young girl is given to a fairy named Bombina. Parsley takes up for the youngest prince, Tansy, over his twin brothers. Bombina turns the girl into a toad, which is the fairy's on-going problem--turning people into toads! Finally, Parsley helps Tansy, and they are married. This is a reversed princess kissing a toad story--this time a prince must kiss a toad. (Princess Tales) Fiction. Grades 4-6. 2002, HarperCollins, 104p., $14.89. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Virginia Gleaton (Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 15, No. 3)).
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Garden State Children's Book Award, 2005; Nominee; Juvenile Fiction; New Jersey
ISBN: 0-06-000094-5
ISBN: 0-06-000095-3
Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep
Gail Carson Levine
Illustrated by Mark Elliott
Gail Carson Levine has carved out a niche in her spirited retellings of familiar folktales. From Ella Enchanted, The Fairy's Mistake, and The Princess Test to her latest Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep, we are treated to heroines who are smart and feisty. At Princess Sonora's birth, one fairy blesses her with being ten times smarter than anyone else. At this point, baby Sonora understands everything that is happening, even the pronouncement of the uninvited Fairy Belladonna that Sonora will prick herself with a spindle and die. Fortunately, the last fairy wishes her sleep for one hundred years. To avoid the inevitable, Sonora hides the spindle in her own toy chest so she can choose when to prick herself. Nothing goes as planned. The outcome is something out of a French farce with Sonora still having the last word. 1999, HarperCollins, $8.95. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman (Children's Literature).
This is a lovely tale from the Newbery honor-winning author of Ella Enchanted. A twist on Sleeping Beauty, this novel focuses on Princess Sonora, who at her birth receives many special gifts from fairies including supreme intelligence, beauty, and grace. Unfortunately, one of the fairies, miffed at being left out, dooms Sonora to a hundred-year sleep. Unhappy with the young prince, who comes to marry her, Sonora must decide whether to begin her hundred-year sleep or make a life with the prince. Much happens during the 100 years she and her entire castle are asleep including the introduction of a new much more pleasing prince. Sonora must then decide between the old and new princes. This is a worthy sequel to Ella Enchanted. 1999, HarperCollings, $8.95. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Rebecca Joseph (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-06-028064-6
ISBN: 0-06-028065-4
The Princess Test
Gail Carson Levine
Illustrated by Mark Elliott
Lorelei doesn't seem to fit in very well with her own family but she does seem to have all the attributes of a real princess. So when a bride search begins for Prince Nicholas, Lorelei is very lucky indeed to find herself at the castle gates. Prince Nicholas is immediately smitten by Lorelei and would like to see here become his wife. The royal parents have quite an array of tests that she must pass before they are satisfied she is the right woman for their son. This fractured fairy tale is a fun read and gives the reader another version of Han Christian Anderson's, Princess and the Pea story. 1999, Harper Collins Publishers, $8.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Barbara Youngblood (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000; H.W. Wilson; United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
The Sasquatch Reading Award, 2002; Nominee; Washington
Volunteer State Book Award, 2001-2002; Nominee; Intermediate; Tennessee
ISBN: 0-06-028062-X
ISBN: 0-06-028063-8
The Princess Tales: Volume Two
Gail Carson Levine
Illustrations by Mark Elliott
Author Gail Carson Levine adds three more humorous retellings to the latest volume of "The Princess Tales" series. In Cinderellis and the Glass Hill, an update on Andrew Lang's The Princess and the Glass Hill, Ellis, a lonely inventor, acquires three magical steeds, Chasam, Shasam and Ghasam, which allow him to win the heart of Princess Marigold, who is stuck on a glass hill until a suitor reaches her. In For Biddle's Sake, a retelling of Andrew Lang's Puddocky, beautiful Parsley lives with the fairy Bombina, who when angered, transforms humans into toads. When Prince Tansy smiles at Parsley, the jealous fairy rages and transforms her ward into a toad, whose fate will only be reversed when she receives a marriage proposal. In The Fairy's Return, based on the Grimm Brother's Golden Goose, Robin, son of a humorless baker and bad poet ("I forbid the marriage with Princess Lark. I would rather see the boy wed a barracuda") secretly meets Princess Lark, daughter of King Harrumphrey. Their union, opposed by both families, is challenged but ultimately won by Robin's humor. In Levine's hysterical fairy world, Kings are fools consumed with foolish quests and princesses do not passively sit around awaiting their fate. These short stories are sure to amuse readers and would make a nice choice for students studying adaptations of fairy and folktales. 2003, HarperTrophy, $6.99. Ages 7 to 12. Reviewer: Hillary Homzie (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-06-056043-6
The Two Princesses of Bamarre
Gail Carson Levine
Two sisters grow up in the fantasy world of Bamarre. Addie is shy and timid and even scared of spiders while Meryl welds the sword and proclaims she will conquer the evil forces of the land. When Meryl becomes sick with the Grey Death, Addie fulfills the legend of Bamarre and finds the courage to leave the protection of the castle to find the cure. Addie encounters one obstacle after another. She kills an ogre, overfeeds gryphons and tricks a dragon. She learns she must take her sister to the healing waters, but will she make it in time? The ending is both sad and happy, and full of hope. In dying, Meryl becomes a fairy and, although she cannot be with her sister, she can fulfill her own dreams of fighting the foe and finding love. Addie also accepts the loss knowing that life goes on. The "Legend of Bamarre" is interspersed throughout the text and is written in lyrical prose. Girls will identify with the heroine in their own quest of growing up and of being brave in times of adversity. "Step follows step. Hope follows courage. Set your face toward danger. Set your heart on victory." 2001, HarperCollins, $15.95 and $15.89. Ages 10 to 15. Reviewer: Janet L. Rose (Children's Literature).
Compared to her bold and adventurous sister, Princess Addie wants nothing more than to stay in the castle, work on her embroidery and get married some day. When Princess Meryl falls ill with the Grey Death, however, Princess Addie must overcome her fear to save her sister and the kingdom. She sets out armed with a masking cloak, a magic tablecloth and maps from the castle sorcerer, Rhys, and special gifts from Meryl and their late mother. During her quest for the cure, she faces specters, ogres, gryphons and, most terrifying of all, the dragon Vollys, who imprisons her as the precious days her sister has left diminish. Finding bravery she did not know she had, Princess Addie breaks free from the dragon and races to bring the secret of the cure home. Satisfying and well-told fantasy, this moving tale of two sisters and their love for one another will linger long with readers. 2001, HarperCollins, $15.95 and $15.89. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Valerie O. Patterson (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Children's Book Sense 76 Picks, Fall 2001; Book Sense 76; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States
Children's Choices, 2002; International Reading Association; United States
Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Beehive Award Winner 2003 Grades 3-6 Utah
Great Lakes Great Books Award Honor Book 2004 Grades 6-7-8 Michigan
Massachusetts Children's Book Award Honor Book 2004 Massachusetts
Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature Finalist 2002 Children's Literature United States
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Winner 2003 Grades 6-8 Pennsylvania
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Blue Spruce Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; Colorado
Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; Colorado
Great Lakes Great Book Award, 2003-2004; Nominee; Grades 6-8; Michigan
Lone Star Reading List, 2002-2003; Texas
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award, 2002-2003; Nominee; Pennsylvania
Utah Children's Book Awards, 2003; Nominee; Children's Fiction; Utah
Young Hoosier Book Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; Grades 4-6; Indiana
ISBN: 0-06-029315-2
ISBN: 0-06-029316-0
The Wish
Gail Carson Levine
Wilma Sturtz is a real girl in a fairy tale predicament. If only she'd worded her wish differently to the feeble old lady on the bus, she would've been popular forever. Instead, time is running out. The second she graduates from middle school, she's fated to be laughed at and lonely once again. Levine (author of Ella Enchanted and four volumes of The Princess Tales) has a real gift for making once-upon-a-time conventions fresh and contemporary. Readers will warm immediately to Wilma's humor, spirit, and occasional cluelessness. They'll also cheer her instant success--a dozen best friends, forty dates to the graduation dance, and the power to say and do totally uncool things without losing her appeal. Even more gratifying is the wit and wisdom that almost makes this novel into a guidebook for decoding the quirky criteria for popularity. Insightful readers will discover how to be themselves, laugh at themselves, and still have friends. 2000, HarperCollins, $15.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Betty Hicks (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Children's Choices, 2001; International Reading Association; United States
Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
Young Adults' Choices, 2002; International Reading Association; United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, 2001-2002; Nominee; Grades 6-9; Maryland
Garden State Children's Book Award, 2003; Nominee; Children's Fiction; New Jersey
Sequoyah Book Award, 2003; Nominee; Young Adult; Oklahoma
ISBN: 0-06-027900-1
ISBN: 0-06-027901-X
Added 02/01/05
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