Ella Enchanted
by Gail Carson Levine
Grades 4-7; Genre - Fantasy; GRL U; AR pts. 8.0
In this novel based on Cinderella, Ella struggles against the childhood curse that forces her to obey any order given.
Comprehension Questions
Chapter 1
- What’s Ella’s curse and why can’t she get cured of it? To be obedient to commands; the fairy that cast it on her won’t remove it and she’s the only one who can p.3
Chapter 2
- Describe Char. The prince; friendly; smart; curly hair; polite; kind; sense of humor p.10
- Describe Ella and her father’s relationship. He likes formality, Ella doesn’t; he didn’t want her around and be in the way; she doesn’t want to be near him and was always glad when he was away p.10
Chapter 3
- Summarize this chapter. There was a wake for Ella’s mother’s death; Dane Olga and her daughters came to pay their respects; Ella gave her daughters a tour and invited them to eat; Ella learned that Mandy was her fairy godmother p.16
Chapter 4
- What did Ella learn about fairies in this chapter? They don’t like to do magic in front of people; people only like the idea of fairies; they shouldn’t do big magic, it could have bad consequences; she’s of the Friends of Fairies line p.24
- Why is Ella and her father uncomfortable around each other? They don’t know each other very well; they haven’t spent a lot of time together p.30
Chapter 5
- What warning did Mandy give Ella in this chapter? To make sure her father never learns of the curse p.37
Chapter 6
- What danger is Ella and the little gnome in? The ogre commanded her to bring the child to him and he will hurt them p.44
Chapter 7
- How did Hattie figure out the curse on Ella? She and Olive were fighting over Ella’s necklace, and she saw Ella’s predicament of sharing it when she didn’t want to p.51
Chapter 8
- Describe the book Mandy gave Ella. It’s magic; shows scenes of what’s happening in real life; if someone else looks at it, it’s a boring book p.57
Chapter 9
- List three things that happened to Ella on her first day at finishing school. They arrived being chased by ogres; she hadn’t eaten for three days; the girls were all embroidering but Ella had never touched a needle; she met a friend named Areida and learned her language; the Sewing Mistress got angry at her for not sewing and sent her to her room without supper and breakfast the next morning p.60
Chapter 10
- Why did Ella thrive in each subject except penmanship? The mistresses of each subject would order her what to do except in penmanship p.72
Chapter 11
- What unfair command did Hattie give Ella? To end her friendship with Areida p.80
- Why is it unfair? Areida is Ella’s only real friend and comfort
Chapter 12
- What’s Hattie’s weakness? She wears a wig p.83
- What decision did Ella make that night? To leave finishing school and hopefully find Lucinda, the fairy who gave her the curse p.86
Chapter 13
- Who helped Ella in her journey? The elves p.90
- Describe Ella’s visit with the elves. They were kind to her and saw who she really was; she showed them her fairy book and they showed her some treasures; they gave her the wolf treasure, put her on a pony with food and sent her on her way p.91
Chapter 14
- How did Ella stop the ogres from eating her? She used their language on them and soothed them to sleep p.102
Chapter 15
- How did Ella and Char help each other in this chapter? He and his knights saved her from getting eaten by the ogres and she helped tame them so the soldiers wouldn’t get hurt p.103
Chapter 16
- Why is Ella excited to make it to the wedding on time? Lucinda will still be there to hopefully break her curse p.117
Chapter 17
- List two ways Ella knew she had seen Lucinda at the party. Her tiny feet; she bestowed a gift the giants didn’t look happy about; she disappeared and reappeared in front of people p.121
Chapter 18
- What command did Lucinda give to change Ella’s attitude? To be happy with her gift, so now she’s ecstatic to obey p.127
- What’s Ella’s father going to do with her? Marry her off so he can be rich again p.129
Chapter 19
- What snapped Ella out of being happy to obey? Mandy commanded her not to be p.140
- Why is Ella’s father marrying Dame Olga? The Earl lost much of his wealth in a fire so he is marrying Dame Olga for her money p.141
Chapter 20
- Do you agree or disagree that Lucinda’s gift was actually positive? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p147
Chapter 21
- Summarize this chapter. Char and Ella spent the evening together exploring the castle, dancing and sliding down the stair rail p.148
- Why would Hattie make Ella pay? She’s jealous Ella spent time and had fun with the prince p.156
Chapter 22
- How did the fairy book help Ella? It showed a journal entry from Char so she knew what he was thinking p.160
Chapter 23
- List two ways this story parallels Cinderella? Ella was sent to her room so she couldn’t see the prince; she became a servant to her stepmother and sisters; she had to cook and scrub the floor
Chapter 24
- Why are Char and Ella writing to each other in this chapter? Char has gone to Ayorthaian to live for a year p.172
- What did Char tell Ella in his letters? His strengths, weaknesses, that he loves her and wants to marry her p.173
Chapter 25
- What helped Lucinda learn her gifts were horrible? Having to be obedient and be a squirrel p.193
Chapter 26
- Why couldn’t Lucinda take back Ella’s curse? She renounced big magic p.196
- How did Lucinda help Ella in this chapter? She provided a coach with footmen and horses to go to the ball; gave her a necklace and tiara p.203
Chapter 27
- What’s the purpose of Ella going to the balls? To see and hear Char p.207
- What did Ella do that caught his attention? She spoke in Ayorthaian and sang with him; she was familiar to him p.208
Chapter 28
- Why has Char promised to never marry? He was so hurt by Ella p.219
Chapter 29
- How did Ella break the curse? Her determination to protect Char and her country; she loved them enough p.228
Epilogue
- What did you like about the ending of this story? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer