Ella

by Diane Richards

When fifteen-year-old Ella Fitzgerald’s mother dies at the height of the Depression in 1932, the teenager goes to work for the mob to support herself and her family. When the law finally catches up, the “ungovernable” adolescent is incarcerated in the New York Training School for Girls in upstate New York—a wicked prison infamous for its harsh treatment of inmates, especially Black ones. Determined to be free, Ella escapes and makes her way back to Harlem, where she is forced to dance for pennies on the street.

Looking for a break into show business, Ella draws straws to appear at the Apollo Theater’s Amateur Night on November 21, 1934. Rather than perform a dance routine directly after “The World Famous Edwards Sisters” number, the homeless Ella, wearing men’s galoshes a size too big, risks everything when she decides to sing Judy instead. Four years later, at barely twenty-one, Ella Fitzgerald has become the bestselling female vocalist in America.

Diane Richards’ Ella Fitzgerald is inspiring and intriguing—an emotionally rich, psychologically complex character, a flawed mother and wife who struggles with deep emotional scars and trauma and battles racism, sexism, and colorism as she learns to find her voice on the stage. Ella takes us from the brothels, speakeasys, and streets of Depression-era New York City to the grand hotel suites where Ella, now older and wiser, looks back on her life and finally confronts the demons from childhood that torment her.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Music, Coming Of Age, Race, Historical, Poverty

384 pages, Hardcover

First published May 7, 2024

Reviews

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ella written by Diane Richards was truly an inspiring and powerful read. Ella is a work of fiction, even though some characters and events have counterparts in Ella Fitzgerald's life, this story is the authors imagination, it should NOT be read as a biography of Ella Fitzgerald. Despite this book not being Ella's biography, I think everyone needs to read this at some point because it truly is inspirational and eye opening. I knew this story was going to be extremely difficult to read at times, but I didn't think it was going to destroy my soul the way it did. Certain parts of this book were super slow at times, but all in all it was an amazing experience reading Ella. The only thing that kept nagging me was I wanted more of Ella's success. When I saw that beautiful cover, I knew I had to get my hands on this book and I'm so glad I did because it truly opened my eyes to so much I never knew about. Ella wasn't in my time frame, but I've heard her songs from time to time and I heard bits and pieces of her story. Ella Fitzgerald truly is an icon, she's an inspiration to so many across the world, Ella's legacy will continue to live on. I have no words that will give this book the justice it deserves, but all I can say is that everyone needs to read this book immediately.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND AMISTAD FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!

⚠TRIGGER WARNINGS⚠
-Alcoholism
-Death of a Parent
-Gun Violence
-Physical and Emotional Abuse
-Sexual Abuse
-Racism

"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong". -Ella Fitzgerald

At age fifteen, all Ella Fitzgerald wanted to do was dance her heart out, but growing up in the time of poverty and hard times, Ella's mom wanted her to stop dancing and help rack in money for their family, the last thing Ella said to her mom was "I hate you", a few hours later Ella gets picked up from school early because her mom unexpectedly passed away. Ella's mom, Tempie was in a car accident one day when she was trying to move children out of the way from an oncoming car, from that accident Tempie suffered back problems and that made standing for a long time really hard for Tempie, but Tempie didn't die from this car accident. At the height of the Depression in 1932, fifteen year old Ella goes to work for the mob to support her and her family, but the law finally catches up to Ella and she is sent away and incarcerated in the New York Training School for Girls, this training school is a wicked prison infamous for it's harsh treatment of inmates, especially black ones. Ella is determined to be free from this hell hole, so one day she escapes and finds her way back to Harlem where she dances on the street for pennies trying to rack in money so her family has a roof over their heads and food on the table. Ella did everything she could for her family, but her step father was disgusting, where do you get it's okay sexually assaulting a fifteen year old right after her mom died? Absolutely disgusting.

While reading this book, it felt like I was right there by Ella's side as she was facing these hardships, I just wanted to reach into my kindle and give Ella the hug she deserves. Ella Fitzgerald was arguably the greatest singer of the twentieth century, she paved so many ways for millions of female artists and Ella has changed the music industry tremendously. Ella Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". It really broke my heart when Ella said she was scared to preform in a certain crowd of people because of the racial slurs they would throw at her as she was preforming on stage. Although Ella had her flaws, her story was truly inspirational and taught me so much about her life story. Despite the slowly moving parts of this book, in the end it was understandable as to why those parts were extremely slow. after reading the prologue, I had to go watch Ella's CBS interview, it truly broke my heart hearing Ella say she was so scared to preform in front of an all white crowd. Ella is an icon, and she will continue to be an icon in today's world even though she is no longer with us. I waited a bit long to read this book because I was scared of the emotional damage it was going to cause, but I'm so happy I finally read it because it opened my eyes so much. Yes, it really did cause emotional damage after reading, whew, I was expecting it, but it did more damage than I was actually expecting.

[Meagan✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨"Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” -Ella Fitzgerald✨

🎷Ella is a work of historical fiction. While some characters and events portrayed have counterparts in the life of Ella Fitzgerald. This story is of the authors imagination and is not a biography of Ella Fitzgerald. 🎷

Brief Summary-
This is Ella’s origin story. Ella is 15 years old when her mother dies. Living in the depression in 1932, Ella needs a way to support herself and her family so she starts to work for the mob. Unfortunately Ella gets caught and end up incarcerated in NYC Training School For Girls. Ella ends up escaping and making her way to Harlem. You follow Ella as you takes on every trial and tribulation that is thrown at her.

Content Warning-
🎺Racism
🎺 Death Of A Parent
🎺Emotional & Physical Abuse
🎺Gun Violence
🎺Alcoholism


My Thoughts-
I love Ella Fitzgerald, her music, her voice, she is a beautiful singer. She has paved the way for so many female artist and changed the music industry. I love the music from this timeframe. So I had to read this book when I saw it available or NetGalley. A quick read which I devoured this story in one day…

Bravo 👏This story focuses around Ella’s teenage life. This was such a heartbreaking and beautiful story. Knowing all the hardship she endured to become the successful woman we all know and love was truly an incredible experience to read. She’s is such an inspirational woman.

The prologue really stood out to me. It shows Ella in CBS studio in 1948 discussing her concerns of performing in front of an all white audience. It really sets the tone for this story. When I think of Ella I see her success and her music and how much the music industry loved her. It wasn’t even a thought that she was worried to perform, in front of a certain audience. It shows you the battles of racism, sexism, Ella endured to becomes the superstar we know. Truly eye opening.

This writing was breathtaking. I felt like I was walking the streets in NYC in the height go the Depression Era. I walked along Ella as she was incarcerated. I was at every speakeasy, brothel and street corner. There are definitely areas where it is very slow moving but after finishing it, I understand why the these parts were moving slowly.

I was very impressed with this book. A little different from what I was expecting. I wished it showed more of Ella successful career. But overall a fantastic book.

I highly recommend giving this a read! If you love Ella’s music or just like reading historical fiction novels this will be a great read for you.

“And then she stepped forward, even further into the light. Microphone at her lips, Ella Fitzgerald began, again, to sing.”

Playlist-
🎶Night & Day- Ella
🎶Dream A Little Dream- Ella
🎶You Do Something to Me- Ella
🎶The Nearness Of You- Ella & Louis Armstrong
🎶Cheek to Cheek- Ella
🎶Summertime- Ella
🎶 Moonlight Serende- Ella
🎶Love Is Here To Stay- Ella
🎶Lets Fall In Love- Ella
🎶All Of Me- Ella
🎶Misty- Ella
🎶 I Get a Kick Out Of You- Ella
🎶Cry Me A River- Ella
🎶Gee, Baby, Aint I Good To You?- Ella & Louis Armstrong
🎶 I Got My Love To Keep Me Warm- Ella & Louis Armstrong
🎶My Romance- Ella

✨Thanks to NetGalley, Amistad Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review✨

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Ella Fitzgerald is concentrated on three years of her life, starting in 1932 when she is fifteen. After the death of her mother, her stepfather shows his abusive side, which takes about 25% of the story. With descriptive writing, it’s painful to read it.

After one incident, she runs away to her aunt. In Yonkers, she had a partner to practice dancing. Now, in Harlem, she searches for a place where she could dance. This leads her to the wrong crowd.

With the encouraging words of her mother in mind that she’s got the talent and needs to use it to make something of herself. And that if she wants something bad, she can do it. Thus, she persists in her pursuit of her dream to become a dancer. Later, she becomes more than that.

As the story is concentrated on three years of her youth, we mostly learn about her hardships. It is a heartbreaking story, which has a slow progression. I wished the story involved also her successes, and showed her growth from dancing to singing. Thus, becoming more of an uplifting story.

Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Michelle Skelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Diane Richards’ "Ella" is a novel that tells a story but more than that, it sings.

Like a jazz riff winding through a smoky Harlem club, it captures both the brilliance and the heartbreak of Ella Fitzgerald’s early years.

The book doesn’t follow her entire career; instead, it immerses us in the pivotal three years that shaped her. From poverty in Yonkers to the electrifying energy of 1930s Harlem, "Ella" is a deeply evocative portrait of a girl fighting to survive in a world that gave her nothing.

This is not the Ella of glamour and success. This is the teenage girl who lost her mother, escaped an abusive stepfather, & scraped by in a city that could be both exhilarating and merciless.

Racism lurks at every corner, opportunity is scarce, and even in the thriving music scene, the odds are stacked against her. And yet, she perseveres. She dreams. She dances. She finds a way forward, even when the world tells her to stay in her place.

Richards’ prose is straightforward yet beautiful, with a rhythm that mirrors Ella’s eventual rise. The historical detail is impeccable, you feel the pulse of the Harlem Renaissance, the desperation of poverty, and the weight of a society unwilling to make room for a young Black girl with talent. The supporting characters leap off the page, their voices adding richness to Ella’s journey.

If you loved "The Paris Wife", this book delivers that same immersive historical experience, but instead of literary salons in 1920s Paris, you’re in the heart of Harlem, where jazz, pain, and resilience intertwine.

"Ella" is a song of survival, a story of finding one’s voice against impossible odds. And like the best music, it lingers in your heart and mind as the last note fades away.

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t know anything about Ella Fitzgerald’s childhood or back story, and found this vivid biographical fiction fascinating and heartrending.

How she found the tenacity to endure not just being orphaned and homeless but also the horrors of a reform school/youth prison with echoes of The Nickel Boys — and mustered the fortitude to keep auditioning and entering dance competitions, believing it to be her only path to survival — would be hard to believe if it wasn’t such well-established history.

3.5-4 stars — I didn’t find the writing as compelling as the story itself. the audiobook narration was pretty good except for the couple of sung passages which didn’t have the quality or soulfulness to do justice to Ella’s voice and story. I’m glad I stumbled upon it, and would recommend it for sure.

[Nya Jae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to say thank you Amistad for sharing this ARC with me. However, this book was unfortunately not for me.
I really wanted to dive into the life of Ella Fitzgerald with this one but it was a bit of a struggle given that I found the language and character dialogue to be inauthentic.

[Jennyl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The King County Library System will always hold a special place in my heart. As a child, it was a magical world where my love for books first took flight. It was also where I found comfort after school, where I could print Yahoo Maps to get to Seattle when skipping school, or just wanted to explore beyond the limits of what I had access to growing up.

The library wasn’t just about books for me. It was where I blindly pulled DVDs off the shelf and fell in love with classic films, especially musicals—so much so that librarians started recommending them to me. One even introduced me to The Music Man, now my favorite. It’s where I judged CD albums by their covers and, in doing so, discovered Sunny Day Real Estate, Rilo Kiley, Pedro the Lion, and Death Cab for Cutie. It’s also where my fascination with swing, old standards, blues, and jazz—genres my dad introduced me to—deepened and took on a life of its own. It was there that I truly discovered Ella Fitzgerald, an artist who would become one of my all-time favorites.

And let’s be honest: I wasn’t always the most responsible library patron. I racked up plenty of late fees, but the librarians often waived them—not because they had to, but because they understood. They knew that for a kid like me, the power of art, music, and stories mattered more than a few overdue fines.

Reading this book, even in its fictionalized form, reminded me of the raw truth of Ella’s life—the hardship, the Depression era Harlem, and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles she overcame to become one of the greatest artists of all time. And the reality is, I might never have known her, never have discovered her brilliance, without the power of a library.

I don’t normally write reviews this long, but I feel compelled to now. Because libraries—the very institutions that made my world bigger—are under attack. The current administration is gutting their funding. Across the country, we’ll see access being restricted, entire systems are at risk, and communities that need these resources the most will be the first to lose them. If we let them disappear, we won’t just lose books. We’ll lose discovery. We’ll lose connection. We’ll lose the chance for future generations to find their own Ella Fitzgerald.

And that? That would be a tragedy.

[Gracie Kunik · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW!!!!! Ella Fitzgerald’s life before getting famous, fictionalized. I don’t know how much is fact versus fiction but it read like an incredible memoir.
This was truly beautiful and so moving. Some things to know BEFORE reading:
- this is an origin story!!!! I was expecting it to have more of her success and fame but it was just her origins and how she climbed the ladder and earned her success!!
- check content warnings! This story was at times very disturbing and triggering

BUT it was wonderful to read and really is a testament to the greatness of Ella Fitzgerald and also the awful racial inequities that happened (and are still happening) less than 100 years ago.

Definitely read it if you like history and stories about strength and resilience!!!
4 stars 💌

[Rebekah Kersting · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to read a story about Ella's life, the good and the bad. I feel like we missed out on a lot. The book focused so much on the bad things in her life and in the end didn't quite finish sharing the good things. What happened to her sister? How did she get from amateur night to the Ed Sullivan show. So, like I said, 95% of the book focuses on the bad and then bam. Some good stuff and then quickly the end. I still enjoyed it, but it left me feeling like I didn't get the whole story.

[Jordan]

DNF @ 20% , I was really disappointed I love Ella Fitzgerald she had a voice of liquid gold. Unfortunately this book missed the mark for me it’s a novel based on a certain part of her life from age 15-17. The author had an intriguing writing style however I wanted to read a novel encompassing her entire life and which would focus heavily on her music instead of just her early life.

[Rosi Zlatarska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Страхотна! Много увлекателно написана история.

[Jessica Milliner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovingly written novel written by Diane Richards. This is the fictionalized version of Ella Fitzgerald’s story. Feels more than a memoir than a novel. The book is read through the publishers at
Amistad and NetGalley.

[Selene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is a fictional retelling of the early life of legendary jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald. The book focuses on her life as a young teenager in Yonkers, and later Harlem. Ella had to face a great deal of hardships and obstacles, especially after the death of her mother, when she was forced to escape the clutches of her stepfather and move to Harlem.

In order to avoid retelling the story, I will stop narrating the plot. I wish that I could give a more favorable review, but this novel missed the mark for me. The writing seemed a bit heavy-handed and one-sided; it was written more like narrative nonfiction. It wasn't what I was expecting.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for an advance e-reader copy of this book.

[Rachel Rosenbloom · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars - This novel follows the events of Ella Fitzgerald’s life from age 15-17, until the moment she first sings in front of a crowd. I was not aware of the hardships she faced in youth, and while I now have an idea of the facts, I felt that this book lacked heart, emotional depth and connection; it didn’t build upon the information I can glean just scanning her Wikipedia page, or extend into her massive career at all.

[Anneliese White · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 3.5 for me. Richard’s writing is so descriptive and she gives Ella such a beautiful narration in this story. I was just disappointed that the novel ends right when she starts to become a singer, and it is a very heavy novel because of all the verbal, physical, and sexual abuse Ella endures. I would have loved to have less chapters on her youth, and more on her adulthood.

[Debbie Westphal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugghhhh…Grudgingly finished this book. It certainly was not what I expected. The book went on and on, chapter after chapter about Ella’s teenage years trying to be a dancer and barely even made mention of the incredible singer she became.

[Theresa (bookbliss925) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - 3.6 🌟

[Rachel Skay · Rating 3 out of 5]

great story, but not great writing

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella Fitzgerald never talked about this time in her life making the horrors in this well researched (fictionalized) book very believable.

[Rachelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ella (thank you #gifted @bibliolifestyle @amistad) made me appreciate the music of Ella Fitzgerald, the ways she hoped for more and overcame so much.

Ella takes place in the years before she became famous, focusing on three crucial years in her mid to late teens. Her life was life filled with so much turmoil, from grief and abuse and even torture (check the trigger warnings). I've always admired her voice, and the depths she sings from, and Diane Richards illustrates for us all where all that anguish comes from.

Despite the hardships, Ella is always striving for more, to find the light after the darkness. There's still hope, from the dance halls to the love of her sister. Most of all, though, from the music that brings her comfort even when she's at her lowest.

It's a book filled with dance and music (I definitely dell down a google rabbit hole of all the different dance moves), jazz and Lindy hops and snakehips. The joyousness provides a sharp contrast to the poverty and pain.

It took me a minute to get into the book. Maybe because I was waiting for Ella to realize she wants to be a singer, which doesn't happen until the end of the book? She pursues her "Tiffany lamp" dreams, but for basically the entire book she wants to be a dancer.

Once she meets Zukie, though, I felt like the story took off. And the ending, why she chose to sing instead of dance, is both heartbreaking and fascinating.

[Shell (booksbythecup)]

Thank you Amistad Books for the gifted ARC.

Who doesn’t know the beautiful instrument that is the vocal artistry, Ella Fitzgerald. Admittedly I don’t know the depth and breath of her work. But after finishing Ella, by Diane Richards, I’m inspired to make it my music project for the summer.

This historical fiction account of Ella’s teenage year after losing her mother unexpectedly in death was hard to read about. In the span of a few short years, the life Ella is enduring is not anything she’d ever imagined. After leaving the home she’d known when her mother was alive, she goes to live with her Aunt Virginia. That arrangement left Ella giving all she could and more. She quickly learns more about how hard it is to make ends meet. Ella ever ambitious and dedicated to realizing her dreams as a dancer, she begins to skip school and runs numbers for a gambling ring.

Young Ella’s story was relatable in many ways. There was nothing easy for her but she would not be defeated, she would not give up. My heart hurt to contemplate life at 15, from foot loose and fancy free, the unexpected death of her mother, a stepfather who drank and was abusive, culminating in an incident that forced her to flee to her aunts. She took on the responsibility of caring for herself, her aunt, her cousin and later, Ella’s sister Frannie.

Her time in the reform school was revolting. I was appalled and disgusted at the way the Black girls were treated. The abuse was horrific. But I had hope when she befriended Uncle Clyde. I couldn’t wait for her to get out of there, but life still was no cake walk. A night at the Apollo changes her life forever.

I’ve already placed a hold at the library for a nonfiction book about Ella Fitzgerald. I can’t wait to learn more about her life and legacy.

[Sue Kozlowski]

I listened to this book as an audio book. Although it is based on Ella Fitzgerald's life, it is written as a novel.

I really enjoyed learning about Ella's background, although it certainly wasn't an easy road for her! Ella grew up with her mom and step-dad, living in Yonkers NY. Her mom died when she was 15 from a car accident (in the book she dies suddenly while washing laundry). She has a dream of being a dancer and she moves to Harlem to live with her aunt so she can be closer to the Savoy dance club.

Ella and her family are always struggling with little money and she even becomes a numbers runner in the streets. She is caught skipping school and is sent to the New York Training School for Girls, a reformatory school in Hudson New York. Here she experiences extreme punishment and racial intolerance.

Ella was such a strong, persistent young lady - She never gave up on her dreams despite repeated setbacks and hardships. The book ends when she wins a singing content at the Apollo and the reader is left to imagine the beginning of her famous career.

I admire her for her strength and courage - It made me wish I could have helped her, to find support for her.

[Kim McGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ella Fitzgerald is a well known name beloved for her talent but this is the little known story of what led up to that incredible career. Her mother died when she was a young leaving her to care for her little sister and under the roof of her abusive stepfather. Ella was set on becoming a dancer and worked hard to get noticed in Harlem but dancing didn't make enough so she began working for the mob as a numbers runner. When she was sent to a horrific reform school it looked like she would never get the chance to show the world what she was capable of. What some would call a lucky break was just another example of how quick thinking and hard working she was.
Just like that the dancer became the singer and the rest was history. An incredible and emotional portrait of discrimination, abuse, hard work and a young girl who was determined to make it big.
This story would be perfect in tandem with CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS by Eliza Knight which showcases the friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

[Tamara York]

DNF at 14%. Got this book for a gift and really like Ella Fitzgerald’s singing, but this book is a downer. I don’t like the writing, especially the cave man speech of the abusive stepfather (who is supposed to be Portuguese but speaks in one syllable words). The reviews say this is three years of her younger years that are filled with hardship. That doesn’t sound promising enough for me to continue. I’m out.

[Anthony Millspaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a NetGalley selection and throughly enjoyed it. I hope it does well and isn’t hampered by the success of the fictionalization of Ella’s friendship with Marilyn Monroe.

[Emaleigh Nichelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll be back later with my thoughts

[Mary Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely fictional account of Ella Fitzgerald's life story.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible was good.

[Lolz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully told. There was music woven into the story from the first sentence and I listened to every song 🎶

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I just wish it told more about her life after the Apollo performance.