Bella at Midnight facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Bella at Midnight

First edition, 2006
Author	Diane Stanley
Cover artist	Bagram Ibatoulline (illustrator)
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre	Fantasy novel
Publisher	HarperCollins
Publication date	March 28, 2006
Media type	Print (hardback)
Pages	278
ISBN	0-06-077573-4
OCLC	58432209
LC Class	PZ7.S7869 Bel 2006

Bella at Midnight is an exciting fantasy novel written by Diane Stanley. It's a story for young readers, first published in 2006. The book takes inspiration from the classic fairy tale of Cinderella, but with its own unique twists and turns.

Story of Bella at Midnight

The story begins with Maud's sister, Catherine, who has just married Sir Edward of Burning Wood. Sadly, Sir Edward forbids Catherine from seeing her family again. Three years later, Maud gets an urgent message. Sir Edward needs her help because Catherine is having a baby. The baby is born safely, but Catherine becomes very ill and passes away. Edward is furious and tells Maud to get rid of the newborn child.

Maud names the baby Isabel, after her grandmother. She gives Isabel to a kind blacksmith named Martin and his wife, Beatrice. Beatrice had recently been a wet nurse for Prince Julian, the king's fourth son. As Julian grows up, he often visits the blacksmith's family. He and Isabel, who everyone calls "Bella," become very good friends.

A Prince's Betrayal and a New Journey

One day, when Julian is older, Bella approaches him in front of his friends. But Julian pretends not to know her, which hurts Bella deeply. Later, as Julian is on his way to apologize, a messenger stops him. Julian learns he must go to Brutanna, a neighboring kingdom, as a hostage. This is to ensure peace after a long war between their kingdoms.

Some time later, Maud returns to Bella's village. She brings a message from Bella's father, who has remarried. Bella is sad to leave her adoptive family. She travels with her aunt to meet her father. When she arrives, she finds him still cold and unkind. Her stepmother, Matilda, and stepsister, Marianne, are also not very nice. Her other stepsister, Alice, has been quiet since her own father passed away.

A Dangerous Secret and a Daring Escape

Marianne becomes a lady-in-waiting to the queen. This means she hears many royal secrets. When she comes home, she gossips about a plan to attack Brutanna. This plan would put Prince Julian's life in danger. Bella cries out, saying she will save him. But her stepmother, wanting to protect Marianne's position at court, locks Bella in the storeroom.

Alice secretly goes to the storeroom. She gives Bella a hairpin to pick the lock. Once Bella is free, Alice gives her a special ring. This ring shows Bella the person she wants to see. Bella then escapes to Maud's house. Maud helps her prepare for her quest to save Julian. She gives Bella a beautiful gown and glass slippers.

The Worthy Knight and a Happy Ending

Bella rides quickly to Brutanna. She warns Julian about the king's dangerous plan. Julian rides out to convince his brother to stop the attack, but he is captured. A battle begins between the two kingdoms. Suddenly, a mysterious figure called the Worthy Knight appears. The Knight stops the battle and even blinds King Gilbert.

Julian searches for Bella but only finds her belongings. Sadly, he returns home to rule in his brother's place. He visits Sir Edward's family, where Alice shows him how to use her special ring. He sees the Worthy Knight in the ring. Julian asks Alice to come with him to find the Knight.

They return to Brutanna and discover that the Worthy Knight is actually Bella! She is badly wounded but recovering with the help of a kind man and his son. Julian brings Bella back to Moranmoor. He takes her to visit her adoptive family. Julian then asks Martin for Bella's hand in marriage. After talking with Bella and getting her happy "yes," Martin agrees.

Main Characters

Bella's Journey

Bella is the daughter of Catherine and Sir Edward. After her mother dies, her father tells her aunt Maud to get rid of her. Bella is raised by Martin the blacksmith and his family. She becomes very close friends with Prince Julian. Later, Julian snubs her in front of his friends. He is then sent to Brutanna as a hostage. Soon after, her father calls her to live with him. She meets her new stepfamily there.

One day, her stepsister Marianne shares news of a plan to attack Brutanna, which endangers Prince Julian. Bella decides to warn him. Her stepmother locks her away, but Alice helps her escape. Bella warns Julian in time to save him. She then becomes the Worthy Knight, stopping the war. She is badly hurt but rescued by Prince Julian. He takes her back to her adoptive family and asks her to marry him. She says yes!

Prince Julian's Role

Prince Julian is the fourth son of King Raymond. He lived with Beatrice until he was three. He often returned to visit and became great friends with Bella. However, he once ignored her in front of his friends.

He was on his way to apologize when he was sent to Brutanna as a hostage. Bella warns him of his brother's plot. He tries to stop the attack but is captured. The Worthy Knight stops the battle. Julian can't find Bella and returns home to rule for his brother, who was blinded. Alice shows him the Worthy Knight in her ring. They find out the Knight is Bella. Julian brings her home and asks her to marry him.

Maud, the Helpful Aunt

Maud is Bella's aunt and godmother. She always tries her best to help Bella. She gives Bella important supplies for her journey to rescue Prince Julian.

Matilda, the Stepmother

Matilda is Bella's stepmother. She became unhappy after her husband died and they lost their money. She often takes out her anger on her new husband and stepdaughter.

Marianne, the Gossiping Stepsister

Marianne is Bella's older stepsister. Her aunt Basilia helps her get a job as the queen's lady-in-waiting. Marianne is often rude to Bella. She gossips about King Gilbert's plans, which leads to Bella's quest to save Prince Julian.

Alice, the Quiet Stepsister

Alice is Bella's younger stepsister. Before her father left on his last trip, he gave her a special ring. This ring lets her see where anyone is. After her father died, she rarely spoke. Bella helps her feel better, and in return, Alice gives Bella the magical ring.

Lord Percy and Basilia

Lord Percy is Basilia's husband. He is very rich but doesn't like to help Matilda and her daughters. He only does so because he feels it's his duty. Basilia is Matilda's sister. They had a disagreement when they got married. Basilia enjoys seeing her sister's troubles. However, she does help Marianne get a job at court.

King Harry of Brutanna

King Harry is the ruler of Brutanna. His kingdom had been at war with Moranmoor for over a hundred years. When a peace treaty is signed, Prince Julian becomes a hostage. King Harry treats Julian very kindly. He is at his daughter Princess Marguerite's wedding when King Gilbert attacks.

Bella's Adoptive Family

• Martin: Bella's adoptive father. He is a blacksmith who cared for Bella, Prince Julian, Will, and Margaret when they were babies.
• Beatrice: Bella's adoptive mother. She was a wet nurse for Prince Julian and also cared for Bella, Will, and Margaret.
• Will and Margaret: Beatrice and Martin's son and daughter. Bella grew up thinking they were her siblings, but later learns they are not her birth family.

Family Connections

Awards and Recognition

Bella at Midnight has received several notable awards and recognitions:

• Texas Bluebonnet Award (nominee)
• New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
• School Library Journal Best Book
• ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice