Joe Cinders by Marianne Mitchell

(Henry Holt & Co. 2002; ISBN 0-8050-6529-6)

Tucson-Pima Library 2002 Southwest Books of the Year; Bank Street College Best Books of the Year 2002; "The Original Art 2002"

This is a cowboy version of Cinderella, set in the Southwest. Poor Joe has three lazy stepbrothers who make him do all the chores around the ranch. But, when his three stepbrothers head off to Miss Rosalinda's Fall Fiesta, Joe receives a visit from a mysterious fella...