The Rough-Face Girl

The Rough-Face Girl

Written by Rafe Martin

Illustrated by David Shannon

Published in 1992

Grade Level: 4th-5th grade

Synopsis: Rafe Martin has adapted the classic fairy tale of "Cinderella" into the moving children's story called The Rough-Face Girl.  The story is set in a Native American village on the shores of Lake Ontario.  There was an Invisible Being that lived in the village, but because he was invisible, no one had ever seen him.  The Invisible Being is looking for a wife.  All the young women in the village want to win the affections of this mysterious being, but only the girl who proves she can see him will be his bride.  There is a man in the village who has three daughters, two of whom are very beautiful, yet "cruel and hard-hearted."  The third daughter, the youngest of the sisters, did chores and eventually her arms and face became charred and burned from the flames of the fire.  The two beautiful sisters try their best to be chosen by the Invisible Being, but they fail.  It is their sister, whom they call the Rough-Face Girl who passes the test of the Invisible Being's sister.  The youngest sister is able to see the Invisible Being in the wonders of nature and soon they are wed. 

The dramatic illustrations reflect the vibrant earth colors of the native landscape and the wisdom and sensitivity of the protagonist.

Theme/Skill: This story is an adaptation of the classic and well known fairy tale of "Cinderella," the young girl who is forced into servitude by her step-mother and wicked step-sisters.  Students should be able to identify a fairy tale based on its defining characteristics.  Students should also be able to identify the moral in any fairytale.

Pre-reading activity: Share with the students the characteristics of a fairytale.  The common characteristics of a fairy tale are:  

• Fairy tales often begin with “Once upon a time”

• The number 3 often appears in Fairy tales. For example: “Three Little Pigs,” “The Three Bears,” etc.

• Fairy tales usually have good, evil, and royal characters.

• Magical elements often appear in fairytales.

• Good wins over evil in fairy tales, so the endings are usually happy.

• Repetition is used in Fairy Tales. Example: In the “Three Little Pigs,” the wolf repeats “Not by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin.” In “Little Red Riding Hood,” the main character repeats, “OH, What big (ears, eyes, teeth) you have.”

(list taken from Fairy Tale Characteristics).

Post-reading activity: Read the students a version of "Cinderella."  Compare and contrast the elements of fairy tales that appear in each.  What makes the stories similar and what makes them different?  Did good win over evil?  What is the moral of the story?

Assessment: Students will be assessed on their ability to recall and identify the characteristics of fairy tale stories.  They will be formally assessed on a quiz which requires them to read several short passages and pick out which ones are fairy tales.  The students must then write down why the passage is a fairy tale. 

Reflection: It is my opinion that The Rough-Face Girl is a story that people can sympathize with.  No reader wants to see the youngest daughter get mistreated by her sisters or the villagers.  They are rooting for her as she walks through the village with her over-sized moccasins and broken shell necklace towards the tent of the Invisible Being.  Good triumphs over evil in this story because the Rough-Face Girl's inner beauty shines through.  Children, who are extremely impressionable, would see that true beauty is on the inside.  This wonderful story to share with young readers.