Fairest

This is by the same author as Ella Enchanted and written in the same world.  It even has cameos from some of the characters introduced in the first visit to Ayortha and Frell.  This is an adaptation of Snow White.  This time the queen is not a step-mother but a mistress and the kind of friend we all probably remember from middle school-so insecure they only ever tore others down.  Aza, the main character has grown up knowing she is ugly, despite her family's protestations to the contrary.  When she gets work at the royal palace her insecurities constantly get in her way as she struggles to remain unnoticed and yet speak for what is right when the queen seems determined to destroy the values she holds dear.  Her one strength is that she has a beautiful singing voice in a culture that values song above almost all else.  Then one day she looks into the queen's mirror and sees what she hopes might be and has to decide what she is willing to sacrifice to get it.

Audience

I'd go a little older with this one than Ella Enchanted, as it is darker.  Depending on the child, and what they can bring to the story I'd say about 3rd grade, though I would not have been ready for it before 4th.  This is very much a girls book.  I think teens will find more power in it, as it's all about overcoming one's own insecurities. 

Why I Love This Book

There is a political side to this that goes hand in hand with standing up for what you believe in, and I feel it is a good addition to the fairy tale.  The love story is cute and is about finding the person who is perfect for you. The setting is captivating and the characters all face moral dilemmas and find their own boundaries.  My favorite thing about this book (SPOILER ALERT!!!!) is that in the end, Aza realizes she teaches those around her to view her as ugly by her carriage, and by her attitude when she talks about herself.  The "dwarves" in this book are actually gnomes, and one in particular is a major character.  I like reading about the gnomes and about the perspective they give to Aza.

Cautions

1) The villain in this story is truly evil, not just selfish.  He's also a spider which is more than enough to creep me out

2) This is told by a very unreliable narrator who focuses most of her attention on her body image.

3) Much of the text is lyrics to songs.  When I read it I skipped over many of the songs.  When I listened to it, they were somewhat easier to get through, but I did not like how often the same melodies were repeated.