Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Details: 

Published in 1997 by Harper Trophy

Best guess, I read it circa 1998.

Awards:

Newbury Medal of Honor

From the Publisher:

How can a fairy's blessing be such a curse?


At her birth, Ella of Frell was given a foolish fairy's gift—the "gift" of obedience. Ella must obey any order given to her, whether it's hopping on one foot for a day or chopping off her own head!


But strong-willed Ella does not tamely accept her fate. She goes on a quest, encountering ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, fairy godmothers, and handsome princes, determined to break the curse—and live happily ever after.

First Line:

That fool of a fairy Lucinda did not intend to lay a curse on me.