70 pages • 2 hours read
Liesl ShurtliffRump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin
Fiction | Novel | Middle GradeA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Published in 2013, Liesl Shurtliff’s Rump: The (Fairly) True Tale of Rumpelstiltskin is a middle-grade fantasy novel that reinterprets the classic fairy tale. Twelve-year-old Rump lives in a magical kingdom where people’s names determine their destinies, and his name does not seem auspicious. His luck seems to change when he discovers that he can spin straw into gold, but Rump soon realizes that he is spinning himself deeper into a curse. To break the curse, he must embark on a dangerous quest to find his true name. The novel won the IRA Children’s Book Award (2014), the Judy Lopez Memorial Award Honor (2014), and the Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award (2017) and explores themes of fate, friendship, and courage. Citations in this study guide refer to the eBook edition released by Random House Children’s Books in 2018.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Rump by Liesl Shurtliff reimagines the Rumpelstiltskin tale with a clever twist, offering readers a unique protagonist and an adventurous storyline. Reviewers praise the engaging narrative, humor, and character development. However, some note that the pacing can be uneven. Suitable for middle grade readers looking for a fresh take on classic fairy tales.
Who Should Read Rump?
Middle-grade readers who enjoy clever retellings of classic fairy tales will love Rump by Liesl Shurtliff. Fans of Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine or The Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer will appreciate its humor, wit, and imaginative storytelling.
RecommendedReading Age
8-12yearsLexile Level
660L