It’s not often a first novel is recognized with a prestigious award, but that’s what happened when Ella Enchanted won a Newbery Honor Citation in 1998. Gail Carson Levine wrote this take-off on the “Cinderella” story because she thought the original character was too much of a “goody two-shoes,” so she developed a humorous twist on Ella’s nice behavior.

Since then, Levine has published many other adaptations of fairy tale themes, in the “Princess Tales” series and a novel called The Two Princesses of Bamarre. Her latest story is Fairest, a new version of the “Snow White” tale. She is also the author of a historical fiction novel, Dave at Night, about the Harlem Renaissance, based in part on her father’s childhood spent in a Jewish orphan’s home in Harlem.

After 25 years in the field of social work, Levine now writes full-time. A native of New York City, she lives today with her husband in Brewster, NY, where she has conducted writing workshops for kids. In her newest book, Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly, she shares some of her writing tips with young authors.

last updated 7-13-07