Left with a wet nurse by her arrogant knight of a father after her mother’s death, Bella knows nothing of who she really is until the age of thirteen. As far as she knows, she is the happy daughter of a peasant family and is dear friends with Prince Julian who was once discarded and sent for his first three years to live with the same peasant family.
When Bella’s father wants her back, everything she knows collapses as she leaves her loving foster family to live with a miserable stepmother. Driven by loyalty and integrity, Bella later sets out on a dangerous journey when she learns of a plot to threaten the kingdom and of the terrible trouble laying ahead for her once faithful friend Julian. Stanley rounds out the story through the eyes of nine different characters each telling a part of the tale, but keeping the focus on the heroine, Bella. The vitality of this new Cinderella story engages the reader in adventure and chivalry through magical gifts and stellar descriptions. Belle at Midnight is a superb boot fit for teaching point of view and values.
