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Bella at Midnight | 
 enlarge | Author: Diane Stanley
Creator: Bagram Ibatoulline
Publisher: HarperTrophy
Category: Book
List Price: $6.99
Buy New: $2.96
You Save: $4.03 (58%)
New (47) Used (15) from $1.98
Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 60857
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Pages: 304
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.8
ISBN: 0060775750
EAN: 9780060775759
ASIN: 0060775750
Publication Date: January 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: New & Unread Book with Remainder Marked- May Have Slight Handling Wear From Bookstore Shelf- Instock For Immediate Shipping
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Product Description
Bella has grown up thinking that she was just a simple peasant girl. But suddenly, Bella's world collapses. First, her best friend, Julian, betrays her. Then she finds out that she is, in fact, Isabel, the daughter of a knight who abandoned her in infancy. And now he wants her back. Bella is torn from her beloved foster family and tries to accept her new life with her deranged father and his resentful wife. But when she finds out about a terrible plot that threatens the kingdom, she sets out on a journey that will lead her to a destiny far greater than she could have imagined.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
 A Cinderella story worth sharing September 3, 2008
G. Marlow (Arkansas)
I never especially liked Cinderella. She seemed a little too self-pitying, and her way out of her miserable situation was to become beautiful (thanks to a fairy godmother's magic) and "catch" a man with that beauty. But I love what Diane Stanley has done with the old story.
For one thing, Bella has much more going for her than beauty. Let me take that back - Bella has more going for her than external beauty. She has to be one of the most pure-hearted characters I've encountered in my reading, yet Stanley doesn't allow her to slip into a stereotype of perfection. I think this is especially clear in her relationship with Julian. She is deeply hurt by his betrayal, yet she is able to put those hurt feelings aside in order to undertake a mission to save his life. How many of us would say, "He's getting what he deserves, the snob!"
I think that's my favorite thing about the book. Stanley does well at weaving in the contrast between the self-centered characters and those who think about the welfare of others. I don't often tear up while reading (not all that sentimental), but the conclusion Bella draws while looking at the glass slippers (made by the boy who was hopelessly in love with her aunt) made me do it this time. We don't always have to get something in return; sometimes simply loving someone is reward enough.
After a wonderful build-up, though, the ending fell a bit flat, in my opinion. I had a feeling the Worthy Knight would make an appearance and that I knew who it would be (I was right!), but that revelation didn't have quite the impact I had expected. The last two chapters of the book are narrated by minor characters, and I'm not sure I entirely agree with Stanley's choice to do that, or maybe her choice of the particular characters who do the narration. However, the story ended the way it needed to so we as readers would be satisfied; I just felt a little distant from the action compared to other points in the book.
All in all, this fairy tale is one I will encourage my daughter to read, as one in which the "princess" succeeds because of her strength of character and by giving of herself.
 My daughter loves this book! August 27, 2008
Classical Mom (California)
Once Upon a time there was a book review (written by my 12 year old)...
Bella at Midnight is a fictional story set in the medieval time period in the country of Moranmoor. The main character of the book, Bella, was cast aside as a baby by her father, a knight. Her aunt took her to a peasant family where she grew up with no knowledge of her noble birth.
She had a happy childhood, playing with her foster brother and sister and her best friend Prince Julian of Moranmoor. When she was older she was taken back from her foster family and sent to live with her father and new step-mother and sisters. Bella's new step-family was unkind, and there was a dismal air about the house.
One day, Bella heard a secret from the royal court that Prince Julian's life was in danger. Consequently, she set out on a quest to save him.
In my opinion this story is a must read. I finished it within three days of checking it out at the library. The plot is ever so slightly slow in the middle, but it quickens in the end!
I would recommend this book particularly to girls about nine to thirteen who enjoy fantasy.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I would give this book 4 stars!
Creative fairy tale retelling with a butt-kicking heroine July 2, 2008
D. Williams (Wisconsin USA)
A reimagining of Cinderella that departs from the original in some interesting ways.
When Bella is born, her mother dies. Her father, a cruel and unpleasant knight, can't bear to look at Bella and sends her to a wet nurse. He abandons her there for many years, until he remarries.
Bella is raised by peasants to be good and hardworking and her closest childhood friend is Prince Julian, who is fostered with the same wet nurse.
When Bella is finally summoned to her father's house, she finds out that the loving family who raised her are not related to her. Her new stepmother doesn't want her around and her father has not mellowed over the years.
When Bella finds out that the life of Prince Julian is in danger, she sets out to save him, and to avert a war if she can. I loved Bella because she doesn't sit around waiting to be rescued--she rescues herself and many others along the way.
Hooray for girl power!
Mix and Match the Fairytales March 22, 2008
Lizzie Cameron (Atlanta, GA USA)
I thought that this was an excellant book! It was sort of like a mix of several stories, put together in a unique way. I especially like the part when the "Worthy Knight" (or was it the knight?) came riding out onto the battlefield and...
Sweet Story January 5, 2008
T. McBride
A clean fairytale inspired book with heros driven by their faith and integrity. A great read for girls, middle school to 99, maybe younger for advanced readers.
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