Books like Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix
In Just Ella, Margaret Peterson Haddix revives the classic fairy tale with a contemporary twist. As a soon‑to‑be princess, Ella is thrust into royal etiquette, needlepoint, and the expectations of a proper lady—only to find the prince she’s engaged to is far from charming. Determined to assert her independence, Ella navigates palace politics, develops a romantic interest in another boy, and devises a bold plan to escape her royal destiny. With wit, determination, and an unapologetic refusal of ladylike behavior, she challenges traditional gender roles while exploring love, ambition, and the meaning of true royalty.
First publish date: 1999
Genre: Young Adult Fiction/YA Fantasy
Authors: Margaret Peterson Haddix
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