Bella at Midnight

Book: Bella at Midnight
Author: Diane Stanley
Audience: Grades 5 to 8
In a Nutshell: girl saves prince and country in this fairy tale style story

Isabela, called Bella, is the daughter of a knight, but since her crotchety widowed father has no interest in raising her, she lives with a loving adoptive family, the blacksmith and his wife Beatrice in the village of Castle Down. It happens that Beatrice was nursemaid to Prince Julian, one of the younger princes, and Julian is constantly spending time in the village visiting them. He and Bella were raised almost as brother and sister, but as you might guess, that relationship changes as they get older, although neither quite realize it at first.

When the father she never knew she had remarries, he calls her back to live with the family (which, of course, includes two stepsisters). She is treated like a servant and actually prefers the comfort of that role, which is more like her peasant upbringing.

Not so long ago, their kingdom had a long and costly war with neighboring Brutanna. To avoid repeating history, Julian is being required by his family to become a hostage in Brutanna, and being a dutiful prince, Julian is willing to go through with it. Even though he snubbed her last time they met, Bella still worries about her friend; even moreso when she hears that his brother, now the king and not the most upright candidate for the job, is planning on attacking Brutanna in secret, even though it will mean the death of his captive brother. Villain! Bella sets out alone on a journey to Brutanna in the hopes of somehow warning or rescuing Julian. To help her, she has a magical emerald ring that shows her people she wants to see. Then there is the legend of the Worthy Knight, a character who is supposed to return and bring peace.

Bits of various folk and fairy tales show up, most obviously Cinderella, but this is more of a mash-up than a cover, an original story that feels very familiar. A lovely tale with lots of heart, honor and bravery, not to mention battle action and romance.