The Fairy's Return is a retelling of the golden goose story. Robin and Princess Lark love each other, but King Harrumphrey forbids their marriage. All seems lost until the fairy Ethelinda intervenes. This story is filled with subtle wit and plays on words. If you enjoy humor and fairy tales, read The Fairy's Return!

Rarely does one find a children's book that is as potentially appealing to adults as it is to children. 'Ella Enchanted' kept me up at night till the wee hours of the morning--I wanted to see what would happen!

The first-person narrative is immediately endearing, capturing the personality of the main character in just a few lines. All the major characters are drawn and handled with care. My personal favorite was Ella's father--so heartless, yet so likable at the same time. Such a complex character rarely makes an appearance even in adult fiction.

The romance between Ella and Char made me laugh and sigh by turns. While a deep romance featuring a fifteen-year-old girl is not exactly believable, if one succeeds in suspending disbelief there is a beautiful depiction of the relationship, yet without ever becoming overdone or sappy.

I also liked the way Levine draws on elements from the original fairy tale while giving them a new twist--such as the obedience spell.

The only problem I had with this book were the occasional logical gaps that detracted somewhat from the plot's believability. Yet this is a minor detail, and one that I would probably not have noticed at age nine--which is, after all, the ideal age to read this book. But a teenager or an adult who is interested in fairy tale re-tellings should enjoy this hilarious new spin on 'Cinderella'.

Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine (Dave at Night) is a remarkable rewrite of the Cinderella tale. Thread into the well-known story are make-believe languages, creatures from fantasy fiction, and explanations for magic from a fairy's perspective. The most endearing concept woven into this tale is the idea that Ella and Prince Char get to know one another as friends long before their romance takes root.

Rather than take a radically feminist approach to Cinderella, Levine considers human foibles and magical interventions to explain why the story must progress as it does. We learn where the glass slippers come from, why Char must choose a wife at the ball, and reasons for Ella's everlasting obedience. On a more fantastic level, we learn what elves eat, how ogres lure their victims, and the dreamland offerings "fairy books" provide their readers.

This is a first-rate read for anyone who wishes to believe in fairytales, but hates the sexist, exploitive nature of more traditional Grimm stories.

Ella Enchanted is a wonderful fantasy book by Gail Carson Levine. She puts a twist to the classic fairy tale, Cinderella. I would recommend this book to girls of nine to sixteen years of age. This book has every kind of creature: goblins, elves giants ogres fairy-godmothers, you name it! With a dead mother a kind a kind but misunderstanding father, Ella has a hard time. But on top of that, she has been cursed from the moment she was born. She can't say no! This truly is a fairy tale. It has it's sad parts, but a happy ending, too. I like this book because I can relate to Ella. We are about the same age, and we think similarly. I also like the way the author makes it seem realistic. Ella is learning things ad the book goes on and she gets older. This is a good book for peeole who like Harry Potter books, because they both have magic and strange creatures and a main character that has a speciality. And for those who don't like Harry Potter, or haven't read it and don't plan on reading it, maybe this book will change your mind

In the country of Bamarre there live two Princesses, as different as night and day. One of them Addie is timid and shy but loves no one more than her sister Meryl. Her sister Meryl is strong, stubborn and brave. Meryl's life mission is to one day find the cure for the grey death, a plague that kills people very quickly. Addie only wishes to stay safe inside her palace but her wish is not granted. When her sister is sticken with the grey death she knows she has to do something. But when this something turns out to be leaving her home and finding the cure, facing specters and dragons she finds it hard to deal. Even with the help of a sorceror. Can she save her sister? Or will she be too timid to follow through.

I found this book to be very impressive. It was entertaining to see Addie's transfomration through the book from timid little sister, to something more. I reccomend it to fans of Levine's 1st book Ella Enchanted. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. The only complaint I has was some parts where a tad bit predictable. Other than that it was great. Enjoy!

This book twisted my imagination and kespt me waiting for every new maigical spark. This book started with 2 sisters who had always been extremely close. Addie, shy, fearful of spiders,but with a work of magical embroidery and Myrel the broad outgoing adventouress girl with her blood biter sword.The two princesses of Bamarre would not leave eachother until Addie was wed. When Myrell caught the dangeoures gray death Addie decided to departon an adventure to fiind the gray death cure. She was ready to take on Ogars Spectors gryphons spiders and even a firefill dragon Volleys. Nothing was going to stop her from finding the cure before her sister died after 9 days of sleep and three days of fever. On her journey she uncovers one of hearts deepest desires, the love for the castles young sourcerer Rhys.
An adventurouse love sroey with a mgical ending with a surprising beautiful twist.
a must read for all. I recomend this book for 10+. Some vocabulary that might require help for younger kids.

This book kep t me craving more. I am now ordering every book that Gail Carson Levine has ever written
She is one of the most gifted writers i have ever found. I promise this gboook will do the same for you.

I first read ella enchanted, THEN this book. both i borrowed from my friend, and both are truly great! and i mean it. Gail Levine had did one good creation that really impress me.
basically the book tells us about two princesses that have two really really different characteristics. so different that i see Addie(the little one), as one coward girl. Shes sooo afraid of spiders. save me! But then, her sister (meryl, my best character in the book. the strong girl) caught the gray death, a sickness that kills. so, addie have no choice but to travel (knowing that it brought dangerous on the way)and find the cure. as the story goes on, addie's mold into one strong girl, and finally she have the guts to defeat ogres dragons, etc. So she became my 2nd favourite character in the book. The book just brings you into one other world and spin you in it. giving vivid character and settings, this book have the ability to do that. seriously! +, it tells about rhys the sorcerer that addie falls in love with. It is soooo romantic. especially the part when rhys and addie was going to the river where her sis.... oups, i spoiled too much story. Just read it by yourself...! its soooooo good. it has a really good ending, yet we never expect, but still a happy ending. so go check it out. !!

For Biddle's Sake is a charming yarn with multiple layers of subversive yet entertaining elements.

The story is based on a little known fairytale, Puddocky, with the classic Levine fairy tale elements: silly quests like finding a dog that will fit inside a walnut shell; humorous names like Princess Alyssatissaprincissa (sister of Countess Marianabanessacontessa); silliness such as distinguishing the twins by the size of their nostrils; and, the gratuitous normal-girl-meets-normal-prince through non-normal means.

"For Biddle's Sake" shares several of the same locales (e.g., Snettering-on-Snoakes) and character lineage (e.g, King Humphrey IV) as the Princess Test, which is somewhat comforting as these names can be tongue-twisters. As in the other books in the Princess series, Levine does a great job of portraying unsavory characters as capable of some redemption. For example, in Biddle, Randolph and Rudolph, while the bane of Tansy's daily life, eventually become comfortable with their place in the universe and co-exist with their brother.

Okay, I'll admit it. I am a Gail Carson Levine addict. I'll read anything she's written. But that's because she proves herself over and over and over. For Biddle's Sake, one of two new stories in the Princess Tales, lives up to the other tales in this series. Parsley loves, well, parsley. She won't eat anything else. The only place parsley growns near her parents' home is the garden of a fairy, Bombina, who is in fairy prison for turning too many people into toads (she's only allowed 5 a year). Alas and alack, the fairy is released and catches Parsley's father in mid-steal and ends up taking the parsley-loving mite home with her. As Parsley grows up, she becomes fascinated with the local royalty. The king has three sons, Randolph, Rudolph, and Tansy. Randolph and Rudolph are holy terrors who blame everything they do on their younger brother, Tansy, and get away with it. During the course of all of this, Parsley is accidentally turned into a toad by Bombina, the fairy, and wisked away to live by a stream. When the time comes to select the next heir, the king can't decide between the twins (R&R), and ends up sending all three sons on three quests.

Who will win the quests and become king? What is poor Parsley's fate? Buy the book and read for yourself.

Also recommended: All books in the Princess Tales Series, Robin McKinley, Diana Wynne Jones, R.K. Rowling

The fairy Bombina has found happiness in the form of a small girl. All is well - until the girl is the inadvertant target of a curse.

The book Dave at Night, by Gail Carson Levine, starts out in 1926 as Dale learns that his dad has died, and his stepmother has decided not to keep him. His life is turned around when he is sent to the Hebrew Home for Boys, an orphanage run by the abusive Mr. Bloom.
He quickly makes friends with the other eleven year olds who live in the same room as him. He however hates the teachers and administrators. His only reasons for staying at the House, and not running away, is that he likes the other kids and Mr. Bloom has taken his treasured carving. He does sneak away at night however, and on the first of these adventures he meets Solly, an old "gonif" or fortuneteller.
Dave breaks into Mr. Bloom's office and steals his sentimental carving back. However, on his way out Mr. Bloom finds him and starts to beat him up. Dave manages to slip away and runs to his aunts house. After a series of events, Solly makes plan so that Dave can live at the HHB without having to worry. You should to read this book to find out his plan.
When I read the book Dave at NIght, I had many different opinions about it, but in general I liked it. Although when I chose this book I thought it wouldnt have very much ation, it had a very interesting plot full of action. When Dave sneaks out at night, you never know whether he will get caught. This novel had many different types of personalities, from violent abusivee Mr. Bloom(a.k.a. Mr. Doom) to Mike, the quiet violin drawer. The people he met at night with Solly, including Irma Lee, also added a whole new perspective to this book. Overall, I would not say that this book was my favorite, but it is a good book to read.

Exciting but thoughtful
The book Dave at Night by Gail Carson Levine is an extremely thought provoking story. This is a tale of a mischievous boy named Dave, who is always going on adventures, playing stickball, and running around. But Dave's mischief seems to be a problem for his family and teachers. When Dave is born, his mother dies from giving birth, and when he is eleven his father dies from a tragic accident. This leaves Dave with his intelligent brother Gideon, and his stepmother to which he doesn't like very much. And when their uncle Jack adopts Gideon, and Dave's stepmother can't afford to keep him, Dave is sent to an orphanage. When Dave arrives he is beyond miserable. The food is gross, There are tons of bullies, and the headmaster takes all of his possessions; including the carving that his father made. So Dave decides that he cannot stay at this awful place and try's to escape. So in Dave's plot to escape, he ends up meeting a whole new crowd of people, and is forced to make a decision that will change the rest of his life.

This book should definitely be read, mainly because of two major reasons. One of which being that it really pulls the reader into it. It is so compelling that the reader can picture the characters, places, and even thoughts. And the way that the author explains things in such detail allows the reader to feel like they are in the scene. Especially in the part where Dave attempts to leave the orphanage, it makes the reader feel the cold air, and hear the piano playing, just as Dave does in the story. The second reason why this book is so suspenseful is because all the scenes are so action packed. The fact that the main character Dave is so adventurous really helps make all the chapters exciting. Even a simple moment like when the bully eats Dave's food, is made exciting. The way that Dave explains his thinking also helps the reader catch on. For instance, when Dave is put in the orphanage, the book shows why he tried to escape. So these are just some of the many reasons why this book is a good read.

Some people might not think this book is interesting because they don't like to read action stories. But even though this story is about a boy on an adventure to escape from an orphanage, it can relate to all kinds of people. This is because the plot itself is so interesting and new. So despite the fact that on the outside, this book seems only appealing to one type of reader, it actually does reach out to everybody, and should be read!

A Gail Carson Levine success! This book is a compelling read and will have you finish it quickly. Dave Caros is a Jewish rascal living in New York city with his father, Abraham Caros, his brother, Gideon, and his father's wife ,Ida, who doesn't care beans about Gideon or Dave. Out of the blue one day Abraham Caros breaks his neck when he is out. After the funeral processing Ida begins to complain and make relatives have sympathy for her by saying out loud, "How can I raise these 2 kids. I can't take them. Somebody take them." Gideon is lucky and his uncle takes him, but no one claims Dave. Dave is instead sent to HHB Hebrew Home For Boys also known as Hell Hole for Brats. Dave takes a special carving that his father gave him with him and it is taken away by Mr.Meltzer, the mean, money lover, who takes care of the elevens. Dave doesn't hesitate on plans to get his carving and run away. During this book Dave finds friends who are loyal to death, a lovely girl who he becomes friends with, a mad superintendent who will even kill students for all he cares if they insult him, and how to forgive relatives who should have been forgiven a while back. This is a good read.

"On her eighth birthday, Betsy took the Shepherds' Oath. She was going to be the best shepherd in Bray Valley history. And any wolf who tried to eat her sheep had better watch out!" Well Zimmo, the last wolf on the mountain, had other ideas. He was very hungry and he had a plan to outwit this new shepherd. The next day, just as Betsy was getting started, Zimmo appeared. Quickly, she blew her whistle and cried wolf, and the townspeople came running. But when they arrived, all they saw was Betsy and the sheep. Zimmo had cleverly disappeared. Betsy got a lecture. Later in the day, the whole episode repeated itself, and this time, Betsy was sent back to Shepherd School for a little refresher course. The next morning, the town decided to give her one last chance. She took the sheep up to the pasture and there was the wolf again. But this time, Betsy takes matters into her own hands..... Gail Carson Levine's comical twist on the old, Boy Who Cried Wolf folktale, stars a feisty and endearing heroine, but the story is a bit too pat and predictable, lacks the drama of the original, and concludes with a silly ending that just doesn't ring true. The real star of this book is illustrator, Scott Nash. His bold, bright, and hilarious, cartoon-like illustrations, complete with witty, sheep asides and thought balloons are engaging, expressive, and filled with eye-catching detail. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, Betsy Who Cried Wolf is not the best of the fractured folktale/fairy tale genre, but it's worth a read, if only for a peek at Nash's wonderful artwork.

Hands down, this is my daughter's FAVORITE bedtime book. She loves it and demands it every single night. The pace is great, and it's a really fun book to read aloud. Despite having read this book about 36 gazillion times, I still enjoy reading it. The illustrations are wonderful and really make the book.

I'm quite certain that after all the attention received by the previous book "Ella Enchanted", this story would have no choice but to be compared to it. Sadly, if that is done, all the reader will find is a silly, shallow novel void of all the depth and plot of Ella.

So the obvious thing to do is not compare "The Princess Test". "The Princess Test" is just not Ella Enchanted. If the reader is expecting another Ella and obstinatly refuses to settle for anything else, he/she will be very disappointed, as compared to if the reader will just sit down with this book and read it for its own sake.

Now on to the actual review.

Again, Ms. Levine takes a familiar fairy tale and gives it her own unique twist. In this case it is "The Princess and the Pea." Levine gives a quick-yet-delightful retelling of an extremely sensitive blacksmith's daughter who becomes a princess.

The story is done in third person, giving it the sense of an actual fairy tale. I believe that is entirely what Levine was trying to do: write a fairy tale, not a novel. Instead of a spunky heroine, we have a carbon-copy of the average fairy tale princess. Instead of a normally-evolving relationship, we have love-at-first-sight. I found that even though I wanted to smack Lorelei at times for being such a ditz, she was just as charming as Ella in her own way. The total lack of depth simply makes the story light-hearted. And even though the reader might roll her eyes at the romance, she'll no doubt do it with a smile on her face.

Delightfully picture-book characters, a fairy tale setting, and humor. Who cares if it's not Ella? Pick it up and enjoy a quick read!

The Princess Test, by Gail Carson Levine, was a well thought-out and carefully expounded version of Hans Christian Anderson's The Princess and the Pea. It made a good read, but was rather short, giving slight room for those important 'little' details such as character development. Levine told her tale in true Anderson style, much like the original story, but with Levine's humor and clever twists to the plot. Those who have enjoyed Levine's previous book Ella Enchanted will finish The Princess Test and clamor for more, but if you are not familiar with Levine, you may wonder what all the fuss is about.

Wonderful version of the classic The Princess and the Pea. It is a story about a young girl whose name is Lorelei. She is the daughter of a local blacksmith. The only problem is, is that she is so spoiled that she is the only child in in the village to have satin sheets and so on. Also she can not wash dishes without getting a rash and when she tried spinning she pricked her finger and could have bled to death. In fact the only house chores Lorelei is good at is making beds and hanging clothes. But there is one thing Lorelei is very good at it is embroidery, she embroiders the clothes and the linen. One day she meets a prince and they fall in love. That would have been perfect for each other except there is one problem. The prince has to marry a real princess. The queen makes a test for the princesses that come and Lorelei gets wound up in it by mistake. Will the pince get to marry her or not? Read the book to find out. It is a totally thrilling book although I found it was too short. Also I would recommend the book The Fairy's Mistake.

Gail Carson Levine continues to write great books, though she should write a few more long books, I am perfectly happy to have these short humorous books about girl power integrated with commen fairy tales. These books have motivated my cousin to read when she would not read anything else but these books. If you have a stubborn little girl at home that won't read, but loves fairy tales, give her one of the prinncess tales or read one together. I hope that they will love this book as much as I did. I loved Cinderellis and the Glass Hill and Prinncess Sonora and the Long Sleep the best, but the others were great too.

I must agree with Anthony Burgarino that Cinderellis and the Glass Hill does not compare with Ella Enchanted--IT ISN'T SUPPOSED TO BE COMPARED WITH IT! It should be compared with the other three Princess Tales by Gail Carson Levine. While all were lovely, Cinderellis and the Glass Hill was THE BEST! They are not supposed to have depth--they are supposed to be fun (and they are incredible when read aloud!). My daughters would love to have Gail Carson Levine write more fairy tails like Ella Enchanted that let you get to know the characters better, but for now we can be happy with wonderful short hillarious stories!

I would have given Cinderellis and the Glass Hill 10 stars if I could! IT IS WONDERFUL! In my opinion it's is even better than Ella Enchanted! It is a great book with a terrific sense of humor! Cinderellis and the Glass Hill is hillarious (especially when first read)!This book is Gail Carson Levine's best book yet! (and thats saying something because she writes REALLY good books). I (in case you havn't noticed) highly recomend this book.

This book was pretty good, but I think the stories should have extended longer. The three stories, The Fairy's Mistake, The Princess Test, and Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep, tell about girls back in time when fairies were real. Since I like these sort of things, I loved this book pretty much. The Fairy's Mistake kind of reminded me of Ella Enchanted, which is an excellent book. The Princess Test is a different tale of the Princess and the Pea, with a twist to it. Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep also is like another story, Sleeping Beauty, but also has a twist to it. These three stories are some I would recommend to anyone who likes pretty much all of Gail Carson Levine's books!!

Gail Carson Levine is best known for "Ella Enchanted," a smart retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale. But she's also penned a series of short novellas, the Princess Tales. Now three of these cute stories are available in a three-for-one paperback, that fans of retold fairy tales will enjoy.

"The Princess Test" is tried on Lorelei when she stumbles onto a castle. There, all the girls who try out are tested as to whether they are "real" princesses, and the girl who is deemed most worthy will marry Prince Nicholas. But Nicholas wants a girl he loves!

"The Fairy's Mistake" is a definite problem. Two girls encounter the fairy Ethelinda, and she gives them what they deserve: Sweet Rosella has jewels and flowers fall from her mouth, while nasty Myrtle has snakes and toads. The mistake? Now Rosella is held captive by a greedy prince, and Myrtle is using her "gift" as blackmail.

"Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep" is a twist on a familiar tale -- spinning wheel, enchanted sleep, fairy gifts and curses. But there are a few elements that weren't there before -- balding sheep, a prince who doesn't work out, and fairies who are getting a little competitive.

These stories don't have the length to develop the depth of "Princesses of Bamarre" or "Ella Enchanted," but they're nice twists on the old fairy-tales. Her heroines are endearingly smart and independant, the love interests are likeable, and the twists on the stories are cute. (Such as the "Fairy's Mistake," where the blessing turns out to be more trouble than the curse)

If you like retold fables or smart heroines, then the three-pack "Princess Tales" are a good light read, especially for those who like a humorous ending.

Gail Carson Levine has taken some of the classic tales of princesses and endowed them with her own magical imagination.
These stories of many generations of princesses of Biddle are
enchanting and delightful. Even though you may recognize the
basic stories of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Frog Prince and other tales, you will still enjoy the new twists. The narrator of this audiobook does an aadmirable job with voices and sound effects which add to the listener's enjoyment. These

stories are funny and endearing and are recommended for princesses and fairy tale lovers of all ages.

It was just like the book the talking eggs. But I liked it. I liked the part when Myrtle plays the trick on the Prince Harold. I didn't like the way the people took advantage of rosella. she should have taken all her jewels back from prince Harold and given all the jewels to the poor people like she wanted instead of having the palace built. She should have taken charge of the situation! Inspite of how similar the story was to the talking eggs, I found it a fun, enjoyable read. Also, like in the book Ella Enchanted I felt empathy for the main character Rosella or Ella. With Ella you felt sorry for her how she always had to tell the truth, and with Rosella how people were using her for her jewels that came out of her mouth.

I agree with the first review for this book, "A GOOD SHORT READ". It is better than "The Princess Test" because Rosella doesn't get so lucky with her prince like Laurelei (the heroine of "Princess Test"). I don't think Rosella lets people walk all over her. She's just nice, and has a kind heart. And she DOES stand up for herself in the end. If you like funny, twisted fairy tales, when the bad guys REALLY get what they deserve, read this book.

Rosella is a girl that has a twin sister named Myrtle who makes Rosella do all the work. One day while Rosella is getting some water, a fairy spots her and decides to tranform herself into an old woman. When Rosella saw her, she gave the woman some water to drink. When the fairy discovers the kindness of Rosella she decides to cast a spell on her. The spell makes jewels come out of Rosella's mouth when she talks. This spell soon creates a few conflits. I thought this was a great book because there are lots of funny parts and I was really surprised at the end.