The Rough-Face Girl

Apr 03, 2009 Kathryn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: childrens-picture-books

An interesting, beautifully illustrated Algonquin tale reminiscent of Cinderella. The ending is fascinating and I'm still trying to figure out all of the possible endings besides the obvious "happily ever after" with her "prince." It's so intriguing that she "sees his face everywhere" even though no one else can see him. I wonder if this is to reflect that, when we love someone, they are always present with us. Whether there is a deeper Spiritual meaning here (is the marriage in someway symbolic...more

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Dec 11, 2012 Eva Leger rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-with-julia

I forget just how I came to borrow this from the library. I either found it there and the cover caught my eye or its somewhere on a children's lit list here on GR. either way Julia and I read this tonight and I'm impressed. I'm in the - slow - process of removing Julia's books from my page here and adding then to her own. My goal there is two-fold, one, I want my page back. Two, I want her to have her own page. There will be few, a very few, children's books left on my page after all is said and...more

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Nov 20, 2012 I Heart Corgis rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Grade/interest level: 3-5th
Lexile level: 540L
Genre: Fable
Characters: The rough faced girl, her family, the invisible being and his sister
Setting: a village by the shores of Lake Ontario
POV: omniscient

This book is an Algonquin folklore best described as a Native American Cinderella. In a village by Lake Ontario lived a poor man and his three daughters. The older sisters abused the youngest, forcing her to sit by the wigwam’s fire and feed the flame. As a result, she became scarred and burnt. All...more

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Nov 04, 2012 Rebecca Thomas rated it 5 of 5 stars

1.) Genre- Traditional Picture book

2.) Summary- Vaguely reminiscent of a Cinderella story, a young girl is forced by her sisters to sit close to and feed wood to the fire every night. The result is that her face, hands, and hair are badly burned and scarred. The sisters, being full of themselves, believe that they will marry the gorgeous but Invisible Man in their village. After a failed attempt to 'win' the Invisible Man, the sisters are punished for their wicked ways. The Rough Face Girl, humb...more

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Oct 10, 2012 Nicole Lamb rated it 5 of 5 stars

Picture Book Critique #12

The Rough-Face Girl
Adapted by: Rafe Martin
Illustrated by: David Shannon

1. Picture Book Genre: Traditional Literature

2. Brief Summary: Recommended in the textbook The Joy of Children’s Literature, The Rough-Face Girl tells the story of a kind, gentle young woman who is tortured by her two older sisters and forced to sit by and feed the nightly fire burning her hair, skin and face with the bursting embers. In her Indian village near the shores of Lake Ontario there lives a...more Picture Book Critique #12

The Rough-Face Girl
Adapted by: Rafe Martin
Illustrated by: David Shannon

1. Picture Book Genre: Traditional Literature

2. Brief Summary: Recommended in the textbook The Joy of Children’s Literature, The Rough-Face Girl tells the story of a kind, gentle young woman who is tortured by her two older sisters and forced to sit by and feed the nightly fire burning her hair, skin and face with the bursting embers. In her Indian village near the shores of Lake Ontario there lives a rich, powerful and handsome Invisible Being that all of the woman hope to marry. The Rough-Face girl’s two older sisters dress in the finest buckskin dresses, elaborate necklaces and beautifully beaded necklaces and walk through the village to meet the sister of the Invisible Being and convince her to let them marry him; however, in order to marry the Invisible Being you must have first seen him. The wise sister of the Invisible Being asks the two mean sisters what the Being’s bow is made of and what the runner of his sled is made of and while the two sisters lie, the wise sister of the Invisible Being knows that these are not the women for the Invisible Being. The two sisters returned to their wigwam ashamed and finally the Rough Face girl makes an attempt to marry the Invisible Being. After being laughed at and mocked by the village the Rough Face girl is confident that she is the one for the Invisible Being and the wise sister can see the goodness and beauty in the girl’s heart and after answering all of the wise sister’s questions she allows them to finally marry!

3.
A. Area for comment: There is no question that the best element of this book is the moral of the story itself – the true beauty is found within someone’s heart and not their outer appearance.

B. Professional Evaluation: This traditional tale is both compelling and inspirational as it shows that beauty is only skin deep and that true beauty comes from within. While the two older, nasty sisters were beautiful on the outside they were cold and mean-spirited on the inside and the rough face girl was kind, caring and spiritual; these examples help illustrate to students that it is their personality and spirit that counts the most! While the moral of this story is truly the most compelling it is also noteworthy to discuss the elaborate and beautiful pictures that assist in illustrating the wonderful theme and moral. Overall, I found this book to be a delightful tale of true beauty and love.
C. Specific Example: There are a number of great examples of true beauty throughout this book but the most compelling can be read on page 21 in which the narrator talks about the wise sister in stating: “The sister of the Invisible Being was a wise woman. When she looked at you she didn’t see just your face or your hair or clothes. No. When she looked at you she would look you right in the eyes and she could see all the way down to your heart. And she could tell is you had a good, kind heart or a cold, hard, cruel one.” Also, on page 28 after the Rough Face Girl bathed and her scars fell off the narrator states “Now anyone could see that she was, indeed, beautiful. But the Invisible Being and his sister had seen that from the start.” It is with these examples of true beauty that the moral of the story is truly conveyed!

4. Curriculum Connection: It is imperative for students to understand the moral of this story in order to assist in anti-bullying campaigns, accepting one’s own appearance and appreciating the appearances and personalities of others. Teachers and students alike can learn to appreciate the moral of this story in order for them to truly begin to gain an appreciation for both themselves and others. The book can also be used to highlight traditional literature as well as Indian traditions. It is with the expose to these other cultures that students can further gain an appreciation for those around them!
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Oct 02, 2012 Sophia Kanoon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Grade/interest level: Upper Elementary (3rd-5th grade)
Reading level: Guided Reading Level S
Genre: Traditional Literature

Main Characters: The Rough Faced Girl, The Invisible Being, The Sister of the Invisible Being
Setting: Long Ago in an Algonquin village by the shores of Lake Ontario
POV: Omniscient third person narrator

Summary:
The Rough Faced Girl by Rafe Martin and David Shannon is an Algonquin version of the classic fairytale, Cinderella. In this particular village off the shores of Lake Onta...more Grade/interest level: Upper Elementary (3rd-5th grade)
Reading level: Guided Reading Level S
Genre: Traditional Literature

Main Characters: The Rough Faced Girl, The Invisible Being, The Sister of the Invisible Being
Setting: Long Ago in an Algonquin village by the shores of Lake Ontario
POV: Omniscient third person narrator

Summary:
The Rough Faced Girl by Rafe Martin and David Shannon is an Algonquin version of the classic fairytale, Cinderella. In this particular village off the shores of Lake Ontario there is a very eligible bachelor, the Invisible Being. All of the young women want to marry him, but in order to get his hand in marriage you have to be able to see him. The Invisible Being’s Sister entertains the women who come to meet the Invisible Being, but only the purest hearted girl will be able to see him. Girls from the village put on their best clothes in the hopes of marrying him, but they are never able to see him. One day The Rough Faced Girl, who is scarred and wears unflattering clothes decides that she is going to try and marry the Invisible Being. She is the only one who is able to see him, because she has a pure heart. The Invisible Being instructs her to take a bath in the special water to remove all of her scars. They get married and live happily ever after. This book is also noteworthy for its beautiful pictures illustrated by David Shannon that depict the Algonquin village vividly.

Classroom Uses/Themes: I would use this book in my future classroom during a Native American unit in Social Studies. Students will be studying different tribes of the Great Lakes Regions and heir culture and history. This book will be used as a read aloud to teach students about the Algonquin culture and their traditional stories. I could also use this book during a fairytale unit of study and introduce students to different forms of traditional literature and fairytales. Students can become familiar with fairytale structures. Students can compare and contrast between different kinds of fairytales.
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Jul 20, 2012 Cariegreer rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Rough-Face Girl is considered a fractured tale of the Cinderella story. It is about a handsome invisible being who lives in a wigwam and women wish to marry. There are three sisters- two of which are mean to the other sister and make her do all the work. The work consists of tending to the fire; therefore, this sister is scarred from the fire and her hair is tattered. The handsome invisible one is close to his own sister and she is the one who speaks with the women who wish to marry her brot...more

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Jul 17, 2012 Lamar Sanders rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was an awesome Native American spin on Cinderella. The story takes place in a village near Lake Ontario. A poor man has three daughters, the two oldest are fairly attractive, but very mean spirited. The youngest is forced to tend the fire, which as disfigured her face and skin, making her an outcast in the village. In the village there is huge wigwam that houses the Invisible Man who is said to be very big and handsome, but no has seen him except for his sister who lives with him. The...more

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Mar 21, 2012 Kelly Tessitore rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is a beautiful tale of a young Native American girl. This book shares a similar story line with Cinderella. This girl had two sisters who are mean to her and make her work by the fire, where the cinders burn her face and singe her hair. Her mean sisters try to marry the Invisible One but they can only marry him if they can see him. They lie to his sister about being able to see him and are disgraced. Then their sister goes to try and marry him. She seeos his bow and sled in the beauty...more

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Feb 27, 2012 Bari Coslow rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: folk-tale, juvenile

This is a Algonquin Indian version of Cinderella. This book is meant for older children.

"From School Library Journal
Grade 3 Up-- Simply, in the words of an oral storyteller, Martin retells an Algonquin folktale. The youngest of three sisters is forced by the other two to sit by the fire and feed the flames, which results in the burning and scarring of her hair and skin. Desirous of marriage to an Invisible Being who lives in a huge wigwam across the village, these cruel siblings must prove to h...more

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Feb 19, 2012 Bethany Erickson rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-s, 2012, multicultural, picture, traditional

I was not impressed with Martin’s Algonquin retelling of Cinderella. Just like the many criticisms of the accuracies of multicultural tales and “fakelore,” this story felt devoid of any true culture or folklore. The reader learns nothing about the Algonquin Indians except that they lived on the shores of Lake Ontario in artfully decorated wigwams. Cinderella in this adaptation is the youngest of three daughters, the elder two treating her poorly, making her tend to the fire, which burns and scar...more

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Sep 27, 2011 Cher rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: picture-book, multicultural, traditional-myth-folk-fairytale

I love Cinderella stories and am always looking for new variations. This one comes from the Algonquin Indians and I was immediately excited by its departure from the traditional Cinderella formula. The heroine is not oppressed by a stepmother, in fact no mother is ever mentioned. However the abusive older sisters are present and force the youngest daughter to tend to the fire causing her hands and face to scar with burns and her hair to singe and fray. Already we are presented with a girl who is...more

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Sep 20, 2011 Ronyell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-want-to-own, children-books, cult-classic, david-shannon, drama, fairy-tales-folktales, family-situations, fantasy, favorites, mystery, native-american, picture-books, read-in-2010, reviewed-books, ronyell-s-epinions-reviews, surreal

I have read many versions of this classic Native American “Cinderella” story, but never have I read a version with such dramatic illustrations. “The Rough-Face Girl” is a Native American tale retold by Rafe Martin along with illustrations by David Shannon and it details about how a young miserable girl realizes that having a pure heart can set her free. “The Rough-Face Girl” is a truly brilliant tale for children to enjoy for many years!

In a village near Lake Ontario, there lived a poor man who...more I have read many versions of this classic Native American “Cinderella” story, but never have I read a version with such dramatic illustrations. “The Rough-Face Girl” is a Native American tale retold by Rafe Martin along with illustrations by David Shannon and it details about how a young miserable girl realizes that having a pure heart can set her free. “The Rough-Face Girl” is a truly brilliant tale for children to enjoy for many years!

In a village near Lake Ontario, there lived a poor man who had three daughters. The two older daughters were vain and cruel and they treated their youngest sister cruelly by making her do all the housework to the point where the younger sister was charred and looked hideous. One day, the invisible being who was a rich and powerful man wanted to have a wife and he would only marry the woman who could see him.

Before I have read this book, I had read another version of the popular “Cinderella” Native American tale called “Sootface” which was written by Robert D. San Souci. Well by this time, I have already known this story and it was no surprise that it was once again about a young girl who was mistreated by her sisters, however her pure heart wins her the man of her dreams. Rafe Martin’s writing is extremely dramatic and uplifting and I loved the way that the youngest daughter did everything she could to win the prince’s heart including making her own clothes despite being ridiculed by her village and her sisters. It was also nice how Rafe Martin showed the sisters’ cruelness to their youngest sister as something so undesirable and how their wicked ways caused their undoing towards the end. David Shannon’s illustrations are extremely marvelous in this book as all the characters look extremely beautiful, especially of the artwork of the blue skies and I really loved the image of the invisible man being shown as some kind of symbol in the sky as his eyes are shown as birds and a rainbow expresses his nose and it blends so well with the sky that I did not recognize this image until I look closer. Probably my favorite image of the invisible being was when he was riding through the Milky Way that was made of stars. I also loved the Native American clothing the characters wear as they all look so stunning, especially of the cruel sisters’ clothing as they have beaded moccasins and gorgeous necklaces that make them sparkle through the illustrations.

Parents should know that there are some scary images in this book such as how some characters are shown in shadows and their faces are darken and look a little menacing. While these images might scare smaller children, the images that might scare smaller children the most would be when the youngest daughter meets the invisible man and his large appearance in the dark might look a bit frightening. Parents might want to read this book first before they read it to their child to see if they do not mind scary images.

Overall, “The Rough-Face Girl” is a truly memorizing book for children who are interested in Native American folktales and who love “Cinderella” styled tales. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since there are some images that might scare smaller children.

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Sep 16, 2011 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fairy-tales, folklore, fantasy, native-americans, nature, picture-books, children

The Rough-Face Girl's cruel sisters caused her to be scarred by forcing her to tend the fire.

All of the women in the village want to marry the Invisible Being, who has the largest tent painted with bright symbols. However, the Invisible Being's sister first asks them questions to determine whether or not they'd seen him. The Rough Face Girl's sisters fail miserably at answering, but the Rough Face Girl herself tries and answers that she has seen him in various ways in the natural world around h...more

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Jan 10, 2011 Jessica Loper rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: childrens-lit

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Martin, Rafe. (1992). The Rough-Face Girl. Ill. David Shannon. New York: Putnam.

Rafe Martin's expressive storytelling and David Shannon's intricate illustrations combine to form a beautiful retelling of the Algonquin Cinderella fairytale in The Rough-Face Girl, an illustrated book appropriate for established readers in late elementary school. Martin explains in the author's note that the story is actually part of a longer traditional tale. Even so, he has done a wonderful job of making it stand...more Martin, Rafe. (1992). The Rough-Face Girl. Ill. David Shannon. New York: Putnam.

Rafe Martin's expressive storytelling and David Shannon's intricate illustrations combine to form a beautiful retelling of the Algonquin Cinderella fairytale in The Rough-Face Girl, an illustrated book appropriate for established readers in late elementary school. Martin explains in the author's note that the story is actually part of a longer traditional tale. Even so, he has done a wonderful job of making it stand on its own. He gives a firm beginning (with the oft-used “Once, long ago...”) and uses a simple story format with two parallel climaxes and a distinct end. The reader takes two trips to the wigwam of the Invisible Being and twice follows through the rhythmic test of the Invisible Being's sister. The parallel experiences allow the reader to contrast them, especially with the aid of Shannon's detailed, ochre illustrations. The illustrations show much more than the words in this respect, making palpable the shallow wickedness of the two beautiful sisters and the deep goodness of the flame-marred Rough-Face Girl as they face the same task (see the smug facial expressions of the sisters on pages 9 and 13). The illustrations show what the other Algonquin tribe members feel about each journey to the Invisible Being's wigwam (contrast their awe on page 8 with their jeering on page 19). When the Rough-Face Girl is rewarded in the end, an important Cinderella motif, it feels as if justice has truly been served and a firm end has been reached.

Aside from their use in contrasting wickedness and good in the characters, Shannon's illustrations add many other facets to the story as well. The color palette is reminiscent of Native American artwork, with deep rust reds and shining blues and orange clay browns. The expressiveness of this palette can be seen particularly well on page 13, with the smug sisters decked out in Algonquin finery, whispering to each other. The artwork also adds a dimension of scale to the story. When Martin says the Rough-Face girl saw the “great beauty of the earth and skies spreading before her,” on the stunning double-page spread on pages 20 and 21, it is this accompanying illustration that awes the reader, drawing out the meaning of the word “spreading” as the girl is dwarfed by the overwhelming magnitude of the trees, clouds, and rocks of her home. She is also dwarfed by the “sweet yet awesome face of the Invisible Being,” which is formed from the nature around her. This is a good example of the text focusing what should be searched for in the illustration, for the face is subtle enough to miss at a quick glance. Pages 25 and 26 are also stunning examples of the sense of scale provided by the illustrations, where Shannon brings to life the awe-inspiring concept of the Invisible Being having a rainbow as a bow and the stars as his sled runners.

The way the story is told is also highly important. The simple sentences flow when read aloud, reminiscent of the tale's oral history. Onomatopoeia adds to this in some sentences, as in the description of the sound of the Rough-Face Girl's too-big moccasins as they “flap flap flopped.” Many sentences have an authentic Native American ring to them. Instead of the “and they lived happily ever after” of many European fairytales, Martin chooses the more appropriate “they lived together in great gladness and were never parted.” The motifs typical of many formerly-oral tales provide structure for easy remembering, such as the sister's repetitive questioning techniques. The typography enhances the oral history of the tale, as words and sentences meant to be emphasized are scripted in all caps. A good example of this is the Invisible Being's sister's speech when she questions the girls: “Tell me,” she says, “WHAT'S HIS BOW MADE OF?” The capital letters enhance the ferocity and determination in her voice and cue how the story should be read aloud.

In the end though, what truly captures the reader is not the text alone, or the illustrations alone, but the synergy between them. This is a hard task for an illustrated book with many words, but Shannon and Martin make it look effortless.
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Oct 06, 2010 Becca Noelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is a story about a tribe on the shore of Lake Ontario. In this tribe, there was a great wigwam where an invisible being and his sister lived. The women of the tribe all strive to marry this powerful invisible being. Also in this village, lived a poor man and his three daughters. The two older daughters were "cruel", "hard-hearted", spoiled, and evil to their younger sister, the rough-face girl. They forced her to feed the fire. "When the burning branches popped, the sparks fell on her." Bec...more

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Oct 06, 2010 Kelsey Carroll added it

Most of us have read, watched, or heard of the European version of Cinderella. Well "The Rough-Face Girl" is a Native American version of Cinderella. It has a very similar plot. The Rough-Face Girl has been disfigured from all of her working with fire. Her two older sisters treated the Rough-Face Girl with much cruelty. There is an Invisible Man in their village is desired as a husband by all of the girls. He is looking for a wife, but his future wife must be able to see him. Her two older siste...more

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Feb 15, 2010 Molly Magro rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: childrens, favorites

My Children's & Young Adult Lit. grad class enabled me to re-discover this book tonight, and oh my goodness, it's just so so good I had to add it here. Here's the review I wrote for my class:

The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin, with David Shannon's truly beautiful illustrations, has always been my very favorite interpretation of the classic Cinderella tale. I used to read it over and over again when I was younger; not only is it sweepingly romantic, but it celebrates the beauty of the earth a...more My Children's & Young Adult Lit. grad class enabled me to re-discover this book tonight, and oh my goodness, it's just so so good I had to add it here. Here's the review I wrote for my class:

The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin, with David Shannon's truly beautiful illustrations, has always been my very favorite interpretation of the classic Cinderella tale. I used to read it over and over again when I was younger; not only is it sweepingly romantic, but it celebrates the beauty of the earth as well as the beauty beneath one's own skin. An Algonquin Indian Cinderella, the story takes place in a small village on the shores of Lake Ontario, where one may find the wigwam of the wealthy, powerful, and supposedly very handsome Invisible Being and his sister, who lives with him and is the only one able to see him. It is said that "only the one who can see him can marry him", and so, although many young women in the village would like to be his wife, none of them have passed his sister's test. Also in this village lives a poor man and his three daughters. The eldest two daughters, greedy and selfish, are mean to the youngest and force her to feed the flames of the fire that keeps them warm all by herself, so that her hands, arms, and face become rough and scarred, and her hair hangs ragged. One day the two oldest sisters determine that one of them will marry the Invisible Being, and they go to their father and ask him for fine clothes and pretty beads. He gives them what they wish, and they make their way to the Invisible Being's wigwam, where his sister calmly states that if they want to marry him, they must have seen him. She asks them what his bow is made of, and what the runner of his sled is made of, and when they cannot answer either question, they insist on being led inside to try their luck anyway. They spend an entire night in the wigwam without ever being able to see the great Invisible Being. Some days later, their youngest sister, Rough-Face Girl, goes to their father and says she is going to marry the Invisible Being because she sees his face everywhere. However, her father has nothing left to give her but a pair of worn-out moccasins and broken shells. Rough-Face Girl makes the shells into a necklace and crafts an outfit for herself out of birch bark, and though she is laughed at on her way to the wigwam, sure enough, when she arrives, she correctly answers the sister's questions. His bow is made of the rainbow, she says, and his sled runner of the Milky Way. The Invisible Being is glad to have found her, and exclaims over her great beauty. She is given fine things and a bath, and does become truly beautiful, but the Invisible Being had known that to be true all along. I love the celebration of nature found in this story, as well as the moving way that Rough-Face Girl determines she must marry the Invisible Being and carries on because she has faith in herself and courage, despite the mockery of others and the cruelty of her sisters. The ending is romantic and beautifully told, and Rafe Martin has certainly created something magical in this particular re-telling.(less)

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Oct 09, 2009 (NS) Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: traditional-literature

In this Algonquin Indian version of the Cinderella story, a poor man has three daughters. The two older daughters are cruel and hard-hearted and make their younger sister sit by the fire and feed the flames. As the young girl tends the fire, branches pop, and sparks hit her hands and face causing them to become burnt and scarred. In the village lives a very great, rich, powerful, and supposedly handsome Invisible Being. However, no one can see him except for his sister. Many women want to marry...more

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Feb 12, 2011 Leane rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: folktales-native-stories, fairy-tales, native-american, multicultural, picture-books

Although this book is based on a more complicated story from traditional Algonquin folklore, I would consider it to be more of a Cinderella story. The Rough-Face Girl lives a life of shame as her two stepsisters force her to work close to the flames which cause her skin to be burnt and scarred. The handsome prince is replaced by The Invisible Man, who will only marry the girl who can see him. Despite the stepsisters attempts to impress The Invisible Man's sister, they cannot see him as their sca...more

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Oct 30, 2012 Cindy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ece-3601

I really enjoyed this book. This story reminded me a lot of Cinderella. However, the Rafe Martin, the author added a Native American twist to this story. This story takes place in a village by Lake Ontario. This story involves three sisters and the Invisible Man. The youngest of three girls, Rough-Face Girl was awfully scarred and hurt by the fire because of the actions of her older sisters. The two older sisters go off to marry the Invisible Man but fail miserably because of their non pure hear...more

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Feb 09, 2011 L11_Page rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: traditional_lit

This traditional tale ia a haunting Native-American version of the Cinderella story. In order to marry the much-desired invisible being, you must be able to see him and prove it to his sister. Nobody was able to do that until the Rough-Face girl - whose body is scarred from feeding the fire under orders from her two sisters. She is able to see the invisible being with a bow made from a rainbow's curve and his sled from the Milky Way's stars. Recognizing the true kindness in her heart, the invisi...more

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Oct 05, 2010 Lauren rated it 5 of 5 stars

"The Rough-Faced Girl" is an Algonquin Indian version of the classic fairytale, Cinderella. Much like the Cinderella most of us grew up with, this story focuses on the youngest of three sisters who is badly burned and scared from tending the fire. The older two sisters both desire to marry an Invisible Being who lives in a big wigwam in their village. To be worthy of such an honorable marraige, the sisters must prove to the Being's sister that they can see him. They try and fail miserably. Howev...more

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Mar 09, 2011 Esther rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: native-american

Published in 1998 by Putnam Juvenile
Interest Level: 5th-8th Grade

This is a Native American version of Cinderella. I thought that it was charming, interesting, authentic, and touching. The story was what drove this book. The illustrations were well done, but not in a style that was reminiscent of Native American culture. The characters could have been mistaken as another ethnic group from another country very easily. I thought that they depicted the events of the text well, but did not do the st...more

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Apr 03, 2012 Meli rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

I want to read this again, because I remember being read aloud in my second or first grade class in a library trip. The story was so pretty :(

A Native American Cinderella ~ dressed in rags, hardly pretty (she was plain and rough-faced), and she had to cook and do everything for her family. The best things went to her sisters, and, yeah. It's such a lovely tale, really, when she decides to go and see if she can find the god in different places. To see his eyes, his brows, and his smile. I may not...more

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Jun 30, 2011 Ginger Stepp rated it 5 of 5 stars

The tale of Cinderella has been told in numerous ways over the years. This particular Cinderella story is a Native American version of the tale which keeps the traditional story ’s theme intact but is told through different characters that relate to the Native American culture. The young girl with the rough face does not even try to win the affections of the Invisible Being Instead she helps her sisters in their quest to win him. Of course, the sisters are evil figures who treat the girl badly a...more

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Oct 16, 2012 Glenna rated it 5 of 5 stars

The fantasy story provides the perfect cultural twist to the typical Cinderella story average American children are exposed to. The story is about a girl (a Cinderella figure) telling the truth which earns her true love that is not based on appearance, but on virtue. The illustrations are vivid and bold that creates a perfect parallel to the imagery the author provides. Unlike the Disney version of Cinderella, the main virtues themes of duty and truth are not contradicted by the fantasy elements...more

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Jun 17, 2011 Mary Lou Carolan rated it 3 of 5 stars

As is the custom with many good pieces of traditional literature, the Cinderella story is one where good is rewarded and evil is punished. Rafe Martin tells the Algonquin Indian folklore version of this classic tale with: The Rough-Face girl. This mystical story features rich but haunting illustrations that may be frightening to young children. Based on the dark theme and intense imagery, a second grade or older audience may be best.
The story is replete with evil sisters, jeering villagers and...more

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Feb 12, 2010 Katina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: traditional

The illustrations in this book speak for themselves. Although the story is great depiction children may find the plot challenging to follow. The Native American version of the story of Cinderella takes place near Lake Ontario. Cinderella lives in a tepee. The story focuses on Cinderella's physical features. Her face is scared. She plans to meet and marry the Invisible Man but she also does not want him to see her scared face. When her father gives her his best clothes, she takes a bath in the ri...more

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Oct 29, 2011 Theresa Reifon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ci-546-wide-reading, classic-literature, multicultural-book, picture-book, theme-good-vs-evil, theme-nature, use-writing-instruction, middle-school-classroom-library, age-level-ms, age-level-i, age-level-p, age-level-pre

Format/Length: Picture book; 32 pages

Theme(s): Good vs. Evil, nature

Review:

Follows the Cinderella plot, of good being rewarded and evil being cursed/punished. In this variation, the main character is a rough face Algonquin Indian girl who has burns and scars on her face and body. Like Cinderella, she has mean relatives who mistreat her. Everyone wants to marry the Invisible Being, but only the woman who truly sees him can. The rough face girl is the only one who can- she sees him everywhere in n...more

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/280313.The_Rough_Face_Girl?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348496950l/280313.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/280313.The_Rough_Face_Girl?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin[/url]

The Rough-Face Girl

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