Sootface's mother is dead, her sisters beat her, and her father doesn't intervene. As her name indicates, her face is always smeared with soot, and her hair is horribly singed from the cookfire. But despite all these terrible circumstances, she is hopeful because she has faith and knows that she will one day live a better life.

A mighty warrior who has the power to make himself invisible decides to marry the woman who is kind enough of heart to see him. Many women of her tribe try and fail. Depending only upon herself, she prepares as best she can and goes off to meet him. When she actually sees that his bow is made of a rainbow and strung with stardust, he materializes, renames her Dawn-Light, and they are betrothed.

The full-page watercolors are dramatic and convey the natural woodland setting surrounding the Great Lakes and Northeast tribes, the jeers of Sootface's sisters, and the serenity and kindness of the warrior and his sister.

This Cinderella variant should be in your library as it shows how self-reliance, honesty and goodness eventually prevail. Definitely recommended.

From Booklist-
“A satisfying picture book for reading aloud or alone, and a good choice for classes studying Native Americans.”

From School Library Journal-
“Altogether a refreshing and rewarding "Cinderella" variant.”