I just wanted to thank you for writing Ella Enchanted. I'm 27 now, but when I was a child, I was diagnosed (possibly mistakenly) with Oppositional Defiant Disorder. My teachers told my parents that it seemed like I physically couldn't obey them, rather than simply that I didn't want to.

I started taking medication in fourth grade, and eventually grew out of this disorder in high school. But as a fiercely independent little girl who struggled with obedience, had a natural tendency to question authority, felt misunderstood, and was socially isolated by my peers, Ella’s story of choosing love and rising above her pain to break the curse, this label that felt like a part of her, but wasn’t her, made me feel like I wasn’t alone. It felt like I, too could break my own curse, even if it was just through a fictional character.

Seeing myself in Ella, and getting to slip into her skin, gave me strength and courage when I desperately needed it.

Thank you for giving me that. Thank you for writing Ella into existence, and helping me to find joy and peace and beauty when I didn’t have much of those things in my life.

God Bless,
Sarah

Hi Ms. Levine, my name is Mixie and I love your books! My sister introduced me to Ella Enchanted when I was about ten and it's been my favorite ever since. I've also read a tale of two castles, fairest, Ever, and two princesses of bamarre and I've loved them all. Also I've just finished reading Writing Magic and it has really helped me realize what a great writer I could be. Anyways, thank you, Ms. Levine! Keep writing ;)

Stephanie--Oh, my! What an honor! Happy birthday, Ella, when she arrives!

Scott--Happy birthday to your girlfriend! Thanks for letting me know--and for passing my books along to young readers!

Susanna--Thank you! I can't take credit for the Princess Academy series, though, since I didn't write those books. My college major had nothing to do with writing, and I didn't start writing until many years later. Writers take many paths, so I'm not sure how to advise you, except that you should keep writing.

Christie--Thanks for letting me know. I'm so glad that TWO PRINCESSES helped you through your difficult times. And I'm delighted you're passing along your love of reading to your children. Just saying, if you don't already know, my prequel to TWO PRINCESSES, THE LOST KINGDOM OF BAMARRE, just came out in May.

When I was 7 years old I had learned how to read but I was still struggling. I enjoyed reading to get out of my own head space for a while because at home I was at the mercy of a single mother who was a severely abusive alcoholic.

One year at school during our annual book fair I picked up your book "The Two Princesses of Bamarre" and was catapulted out of my abused childhood and into a world of adventure and magic.
During my 7th grade year we started learning about poetry...I looked back to your story of the two princesses and used Drault as my inspiration to write my first poem that later was published online and I began to use writing along with reading to escape the traumas of my home life.
Now I am a 25 year old woman, happily married with children of my own who are learning to read and my 8 year old daughter eats up every chapter book she can get her hands on. I look at her now at the age I was when I found your book on the shelf and hand her the same book that I carried with me from the time I was 7 years old.
Your books inspired me and kept me going through my troubled childhood and I am proud to pass your stories onto my children now as they begin to read and explore the world around them.

I have always wanted to speak to you and let you know that I hope you know that your writing inspires people of many stages in life. I Keep on my bookshelf the exact same copy with me today that I purchased as a child. The pages are falling apart from being read over and over again for the last 18 years but the words always remain the same.
"Step follows step
Hope follows courage
Set your face towards danger
Set your heart on victory."

Christie

I really like your books and I have read Ella Enchanted, A tale of 2 Castles, Stolen Magic, Fairest, The 2 Princesses of Bamarre, and The Princess Academy series. Can you tell me the best college course you think is best to take? I want to be an author. (even though I'm only 10)And can you send me your autograph? And can you write another book about Ella Enchanted? I would really like it if you did. I really like fantasy.