Genre 2-LS 5603 Book Review of a Cinderella Variant

LS 5603-Book Review of a Cinderella variant
1.Bibliography: Martin,Rafe. The Rough-Face Girl. New York: Scholastic, Inc., 1992. ISBN 0590469320
2. Plot Summary: The Rough-Face Girl is the Algonquin Indian retelling of Cinderella. In this version, the “Cinderella” character is the Rough-Face Girl, the youngest of three daughters, who has been made to feed the fires. Because of this, her hands and face have been burnt by the embers of the fire. The character of the Prince is the Invisible Being, who is watched over by his sister. The women in the village all want to marry him, but only the one who can see him will become his bride. Through many unsuccessful attempts to become the bride of the Invisible Being, the Rough-Face Girl is able to pass each test given to her by the sister of the Invisible Being. By relying on what is in the heart and her inner beauty, the Rough-Face Girl becomes the bride and her scars are washed away, leaving a person who is beautiful from the inside and the outside.

3. Critical Analysis: The characters in this story are symbolic of basic human traits. In the character of the Rough-Face Girl, the reader sees inner beauty and humility. In the characters of the older sisters, selfishness and greed are instantly identified. The character of the Invisible Being represents the unknown, natural mystery. Drawing on the cultural influence, the Invisible Being is the based on the elements seen in nature and has an almost spiritual quality. The style of this book maintains the quality of the early retelling, while incorporating the artistic style of the Native Americans. Each illustration complements the story by emphasizing the elements of nature. Each image of the Invisible Being is symbolic to the Rough-Face Girl, she is able to see her true love in the beauty of a rainbow or the gathering of the clouds. The theme of the story is one that we should all strive to live through our own lives, that beauty is from the heart.

4. Awards won: Kirkus Review. “a strong, distinctive tale with art to match.”
School Library Journal. “…a splendid real aloud”

5. Connections:
Ai-Ling Louie. Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China. ISBN-10: 0698113888
San Souci, Robert D. Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella. Illust. by Brian Pinkney. ISBN-10: 0689848889
Coburn, Jewell R. Domitila: A Cinderella Tale from the Mexican Tradition. Illustr. By Connie McLennan. ISBN-10: 1885008139
Climo, Shirley. The Egyptian Cinderella. Illust. by Ruth Heller. ISBN-10: 0064432793