Children's Books Too Cool for School

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (A "Top 50 Post")

You've already caught me singing the praises of Shannon Hale. Well, now it is time to talk about the fairy godmother of re-imagined fairy tales, Gale Carson Levine. 

Ella Enchanted re imagines the Cinderella story as the tale of a young girl blessed with (or cursed with) the fairy gift of obedience. This, you see, is why Ella is such a compliant servant to her stepsisters. But a chance meeting with a charming prince changes Ella's life forever, and puts her and the prince in danger!

Obviously, the tale of Cinderella has been told a million times, but this one is a retelling worth reading--truly original.