Age: 8-12 years
part of a series
Read-alike: Ella Enchanted

Following along the fairy tale, Rapunzel has been raised by Gothel, a woman with what appear to be magical powers. When Rapunzel finds out that a dismal and strife-ridden world exists just beyond the wall of her sheltered life, she meets her birth mother who is now part of Gothel's indentured labor. Upon refusal to follow in Gothel's footsteps, Rapunzel is locked in a tower until she submits. Rapunzel finally escapes and journey's across the land with her partner Jack to defeat Gothel.

With a touch of realism (Gothel has harnessed a growth-inducing plant which causes Rapunzel's hair to grow), this classic retelling adds a new dimension that is not contrite and overstrung. Sure she's a fairytale-girl-turned-tomboy, but she's also a cowgirl. Pretty sweet.