ELLA ENCHANTED Gail Carson Levine BIOGRAPHY OF GAIL

“ELLA ENCHANTED “ Gail Carson Levine

BIOGRAPHY OF GAIL CARSON LEVINE • Gail Carson Levine was born on September 17, 1947 in New York, New York. • She grew up in Washington Heights, Manhattan. • David, her father, grew most of his childhood in an orphanage. He later became the owner of a commercial art studio. Sylvia, her mother was a teacher who wrote plays for her students to perform. • She also has an older sister, Rani, who became a painter. • As a child growing up she loved to read (James M. Barrie's Peter Pan), paint, draw, and even create her own imaginative stories. The interesting thing is even though she loved all of those assets she had no intention, or aspiration in becoming a writer.

BIOGRAPHY OF GAIL CARSON LEVINE CONT. • In 1967, she married David Levine. • She spent the following 27 years working for the government of the state of New York, mainly as a welfare administrator - helping people find jobs.

BIOGRAPHY OF GAIL CARSON LEVINE CONT. • Gail attended New York’s City College majoring in philosophy where she received her B. A. in 1969. • While attending school she found herself enrolled in a class for writing and illustrating. This class opened the door for Gail. She had found her calling, and where her creative spark began. • In 1987 she initially began writing. • For 9 years everything that she had written was turned down (rejected) by publishers, but that did not stop her. • After a prolong time of commitment and hard work she was recognized. Harper. Trophy accepted her work for publication. • Can anyone guess what Gail’s first published novel was…. ?

GAIL’S BIG BREAK • “Ella Enchanted” hit the book stores in 1997, and scored a Newberry Honor Award the following year. • Soon after in 2004 “Ella Enchanted” was produced into a film, which became a cinematic success. • The success of “Ella Enchanted” made it possible for Levine to retire from government work and pursue writing full-time

“You're Only the fairest when your fairest to yourself” ― Gail Carson Levine