SOLVED. heroine was a young woman whose face was so stiff that she couldn't form expressions. The people in her village made fun of her, calling her some variation of Stoneface or Stonejaw [s]

[Kim]

This is an old fantasy novel---published before 1995, although I'm afraid I can't narrow it more than that---and it was written for a teen or pre-teen audience. I don't remember much about the plot, but the heroine was a young woman whose face was so stiff that she couldn't form expressions. The people in her village made fun of her, calling her some variation of Stoneface or Stonejaw, and I believe the reason for her ailment was some sort of spell. She may have been a changeling, but it's also possible that the people in her village simply thought she was a changeling. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

Thanks!

ETA: Found! It's "The Stone Face, the Giant, and the Paradox" by Vera Nazarian (from Sword and Sorceress XII)

[Her Royal Orangeness]

The first title that popped into my mind was The Sleep of Stone by Louise Cooper. It's been ages since I read it, so I don't recall if it fits all your criteria though.

[Kim]

I don't think that's the book I'm looking for---at least, the details in the summary don't seem familiar---but it looks interesting! I think I'm going to have to read it. :)

[April Ann]

The Rough-Face Girlbegs for comparison with Princess Furball (Greenwillow, 1989), Tattercoats (Putnam, 1989), Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters (Lothrop, 1987), Moss Gown (Clarion, 1987), etc., and will provide both entertainment and a cultural lesson.

One of these

[Kim]

Those all look like lovely picture books, but the book I'm having trouble remembering is a novel of 100 pages or more. Thanks, though.

[Her Royal Orangeness]

Kim wrote: "I don't think that's the book I'm looking for---at least, the details in the summary don't seem familiar---but it looks interesting! I think I'm going to have to read it. :)"

I love Louise Cooper's books, especially the Indigo series.

[Kim]

Ooh. Good to know! So even if I never find this blasted book, I'll have something new to explore. :) Excellent!

[Leela4]

There's also at least one short story that fits your description in Marion Zimmer Bradley's "Sword and Sorceress" books, but I have no idea which of the first 21 books it's (they're?) in. The title might have nothing to do with the main character, or it might. I looked through Wikipedia's title list (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sword_an...) in case one might spring out. There are a lot of possible titles or it (they?) may not be obvious at all. The first one I would try is "The Stone Face, the Giant, and the Paradox" by Vera Nazarian in Sword and Sorceress XII.

[Kim]

That's very possible. I was a big fan of the S&S anthologies when I was younger. And though I remember a novel, perhaps that's because it was one of many stories in a longer book. I'll definitely check it out!

[Lisa]

Kim, If you find it, please let us know which book it is. Thanks.

[Kim]

Will do! But it might be a while to get through all 12 volumes published before 1995. :) If anyone thinks of anything else this might be, I'd love to hear it. Thanks!

[Kim]

Ooh. I'll have to take a look. Thank you!

[M.r.]

Kim wrote: "This is an old fantasy novel---published before 1995, although I'm afraid I can't narrow it more than that---and it was written for a teen or pre-teen audience. I don't remember much about the plot..."

Kim,
I came across this thread while searching for the same book! I remember that the book was set in the medieval ages, possibly around the 1500’s (?) and dealt with the main character having to go into the fairy realm to reclaim something/someone (?) or to fulfill an obligation. At the end of the story she was able to get herself back home. I believe that her name might have been Catherine or Katherine and I distinctly remember that she was described as having a “face like stone.” I also seem to remember the title having something to do with a sentinel at the gate, but having searched all these terms exhaustively, I still haven’t been able to find anything… I would love to find it again! Here’s hoping that this extra info can jog someone’s memory!

[Kim]

Found! It took me a while to get ahold of a copy, but the "book" I was looking for was, indeed, a short story: "The Stone Face, the Giant, and the Paradox," from Sword and Sorceress XII. Thanks, Leela4, for the suggestion!