This beloved Newbery Honor-winning story about a feisty heroine is sure to enchant readers new and old. 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.