Author Highlights Eight: Gail Carson Levine

The eighth month of Author Highlights is upon us.  Last month we looked at the author Shannon Hale who wrote Princess Academy.  Today we will once again be looking at an author whose books are focused on a younger audience.  The author for Author Highlights Eight is…

Gail Carson Levine

Gail has written over twenty books mostly focused on fairy tales.  I have read about twelve of her books and I greatly enjoyed them.  My favorites are Ella Enchanted, Fairest, The Two Princesses of Bamarre, The Tale of Two Castles, Stolen Magic, and Ever.

 

Ella Enchanted is her most well-known tale.  It retells the age-old tale of Cinderella in a new and unique light.  Ella is accidentally cursed by the fairy Lucinda with the ‘gift’ of obedience.  She must obey what anyone tells her to do.  But with a fiery spirit, she doesn’t crumble under the ‘gift’ or her evil stepmother and stepsisters.  Her intelligence and saucy nature keep her in good stead as she sets out on a quest for freedom and self-discovery as she tries to track down Lucinda to undo the curse, fending off ogres, befriending elves, and falling in love with a prince along the way.

Gail also wrote a series of short chapter books that are a retelling or expanding on fairy tales.  The first story is called 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!

She also contributed to the Disney’s Fairies series by writing the book that launched it all off, Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg.  The story basically explores Never land’s fairies in more detail.  Fairy Haven is abuzz with news about its latest arrival, Prilla. Prilla is heartbroken that she does not seem to fit in. She desperately needs help from Mother Dove, the most important creature in Neverland, who created and cares for the magical egg that prevents all who live in Neverland from growing old and dying. But tragedy strikes as the island is hit by a hurricane, and the Never egg is destroyed. Mother Dove must pick three fairies to set out on a dangerous quest to repair the egg. She chooses Rani, the best water-talent fairy; Vidia, the most selfish, but fastest fast-flying-talent fairy; and, to everyone’s surprise-Prilla. The three embark on a journey filled with danger, sacrifice, and adventure. The fate of Neverland-and their world as they know it rests on their shoulders.

For more information on Gail Carson Levine visit her website and blog.

 

 

 

 

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