In the middle grade novel Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff, we learn about a boy named Rump who is destined for greatness. Kidzworld has the book review.
What's In A Name?
Perhaps you think you know the truth about Rumpelstiltskin from stories or the TV show Once Upon a Time, but he's not the cruel greedy person we've been led to believe. Instead, he's a small 12-year-old boy named Rump, whose mother died before revealing his full name. In a town where one's name determines their destiny, Rump's future looks bleak. The miller's sons constantly bully him, calling him Butt instead of Rump. And aside from his grandmother, he only has one (sort of) friend in the world - Red.
Straw Into Gold
When Rump discovers his mother's old spinning wheel, he gives it a try and miraculously spins straw into gold! Rump is excited that he'll never have to work in the mines again, searching for small flecks of gold that he can trade to the miller for a meager bit of food. But he soon learns that all magic comes at a price.
The Price of Magic
When his grandmother dies, Rump is on his own. He trades bundles of gold for small amounts of food, discovering that he's unable to request a fair trade. Whatever someone offers, he must accept. Soon, the king comes to town in search of the person who can make strings of gold. Greedily, the miller declares that it's his daughter Opal. But he quickly realizes his mistake when the king takes her back to the castle expecting rooms full of straw to be turned into gold in a short time. Knowing he must help, Rump hikes to the castle to spare Opal the king's wrath. Unfortunately, in return for his services Opal offers him her first born child, something that he doesn't want but can't refuse.
Will Rump be able to resist's the magic's spell and not take the baby? Will he ever discover his full name? Read Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin to find out!
The Bottom Line
Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin will definitely give readers a different opinion of this fairy tale character. The book is a fun, action-packed middle grade novel that can be enjoyed by all kids ages 9 to 12. We definitely recommend this book, especially if you love retellings of fairy tales.
Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin Rating: 
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