This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Gail Carson Levine is a favorite author of many, including myself. Not only did I love reading her books in middle school, but as a teacher, I’ve seen lots of young readers still falling in love with her books 20 years later. Furthermore, all the Gail Carson Levine books I’ve read or returned to as an adult really hold up. She is known for fantasy writing and fairytale retellings. These stories are full of bold heroines, who are both aspirational and relatable. And the plots of her books have an ideal balance of humor and danger, with a sprinkling of romance mixed in.
If you haven’t read any of her books or you only know her from the movie adaptation of Ella Enchanted, you are missing out! Here are three places you can start reading her books so you can rectify this situation. I’ve included two of the fantasy stories she’s known for (which are so delightful). And I’ve also highlighted a newer historical fiction middle grade novel that explores the experience of a Jewish girl living in 15th-century Spain. From reluctant tween readers to adults looking for new stories, everyone can gain something from reading her beautiful books.
Ella Enchanted
Of course, I’m suggesting you start with Ella Enchanted. It is Levine’s most famous book, a Newberry Honor Book, and my first and forever favorite. I even credit the book with teaching me to read. And I’m not alone in loving this Cinderella retelling. Other Rioters have called the book a feminist masterpiece and the most perfect book ever. A fairy “gifted” Ella with the obedience as a child. But it’s turned into more of a curse. She literally must follow any order that’s given to her. This becomes even more dangerous after the death of her mother. In order to control her own fate, she will have to survive ogres, giants, snobby finishing school girls, and a very selfish new stepfamily. Ugh…it’s just so perfect. I could gush about it forever. Just trust me and read it. Whether you are nine or ninety, I think you will fall in love with this book too.
The Two Princesses of Bamarre
After you’ve finished Ella Enchanted or if you just want to be contrary and start somewhere else, I would stay in Levine’s fantasy world with The Two Princeses of Bamarre. Addie and Meryl are sisters who love each other deeply but are nothing alike. Meryl is bold and brave, with dreams to fight gryphons and ogres with her sword fighting skills. Addie looks up to her big sister but is quieter and shy. But when Meryl falls ill, Addie must be the brave one to venture beyond the castle walls to find a cure. With the help of a dreamy young sorcerer named Rhys, Addie faces dragons, spiders, and more to help her sister. I love, love, love that this is a sister story. And it’s also very fun to see how Levine builds a fairytale when she’s not constrained by the structure of a retelling.
A Ceiling Made of Eggshells
If you want to keep reading Levine’s fantasy novels, there are so many more good ones to choose from. But if you want to try something different, this is a beautiful historical fiction story about a Jewish girl named Paloma living in 15th-century Spain. She travels the country with her grandfather, who has influence with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Paloma even meets Christopher Columbus at one point in the story. Over time, she realizes how dangerous life is for Jews in Spain. Her grandfather is trying to help keep life safe for their people, but the risk of forced conversion, imprisonment, torture, and expulsion still lurks behind the decisions of the Catholic majority. This book is very different from Levine’s fantasy stories, but it is filled with the same vivid world-building and attention to detail. It’s an important story that isn’t told very much—especially in middle grade fiction!
There’s no wrong place to start with the books of Gail Carson Levine. But here are three entry points that I think will turn readers of any age into devoted fans. Happy reading! If you want to check out reading pathways for other children’s book authors, I suggest taking a look at Frances Hardinge, Kate DiCamillo, or Jason Reynolds.
