Ella Enchanted

At birth, Ella of Frell was given the gift of obedience by a fairy. Ella soon realizes that this gift is little better than a curse, for how can she truly be herself if at any time anyone can order her to hop on one foot, or cut off her hand, or betray her kingdom — and she'll have to obey? Spunky Ella does not tamely accept her fate and embarks on a quest to break this curse once and for all. Ella's quest to break the curse and discover who she really is, is both funny and poignant. "Plenty of humorous twists."— Kirkus 1998 Newbery Honor Book ALA 1998 Best Book for Young Adults.