Rump: the True Story of Rumplestiltskin by Lisa Shurtliff

This is an expanded retelling of the old Rumplestiltskin story, in which the author takes an unlikable character and turns him into an unlikely but likeable hero.

Rump, who lives with his beloved grandmother, in a poor village on the side of a mountain. Their subsistence depends on the meager amounts of gold that they are able to mine for the king which they trade for rations. Rump endures endless teasing and bullying because of his name, which he is convinced is incomplete. His mother died before managing to get his whole name out.

The greedy miller of the original story runs the village, collecting the gold and distributing the rations as he sees fit. Most of Rump's bullying is at the hands of the miller's sons, who are the ones that discover Rump's magical ability to spin straw into gold and report it to the miller. Unfortunately for Rump, under the rules of magic, he is compelled to trade the gold for whatever is offered and his ability to produce more gold than he could mine does nothing to improve what he receives from the unscrupulous miller.

When the king comes to the village to find out the source of the increased gold production, the miller boasts that it was his daughter, who is beautiful but definitely not the sharpest tool in the drawer, who can spin straw into gold. The king takes her to the castle to spin gold or die, with the eventual promise of marriage if she succeeds for three nights.

Rump sets out a quest to find his true full name, which he believes will lead to his true destiny. While on his quest, he hears of the miller's daughter plight and feels responsible. In this version, it is the maiden's own lack of acuity that leads to her promise of her firstborn child, which under the rules of magic Rump must accept.

This is an enjoyable fantasy book, with good characterizations, an interesting plot and a lot of humor, starting with the title character's name.  It is a good choice for anyone assigned a fantasy book report, especially those who don't like fantasy books. The elements of fantasy are easy to understand and don't require acquiring a new vocabulary.                  2013

R.Rauch

In a Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz

In a Glass Grimmly

This book warns readers from the start that true fairy tales are "strange, bloody, and horrible," not like the drivel children hear nowadays, and that readers are about to hear many terrible things.  Not unlike the warnings in A Series of Unfortunate Events, this is certain to pique the interest of most kids reading it.  And in a style similar to the Lemony Snicket books, In a Glass Grimmly does indeed present some horrid deeds, but in such an entertaining and light-hearted style that kids are much more likely to laugh than to be frightened.

The book tells of the exploits of cousins Jack and Jill, accompanied by their friend Frog the frog, as they search for The Seeing Glass.  As they go on their travels, many of their adventures are based on some sort of fairy or folk tale, although they are often very different than the original story.  But whether they're killing giants or outwitting goblins, Jack and Jill always triumph through the use of their wits and their daring.

This is a very entertaining and enjoyable book, and it's great fun to see old fairy tales being re-imagined in such creative ways.  There are a few mentions of horrible deaths and mutilations, but in true fairy-tale style, they come to those who have earned such a fate.  I recommend this book to anyone who wants a fun book with lots of imagination and adventure.  2012

M. Adams

Sisters Red, by Jackson Pearce

This modern-day retelling of Little Red Riding Hood is an action/adventure tale that grabs readers from the first page. Werewolves, known as Fenris, live among the population in the form of good-looking men who prey on pretty young girls. When a Fenris attacks Scarlett and Rosie March, it kills their grandmother and leaves them emotionally scarred. Aided by their childhood friend, Silas, the girls now try to destroy as many Fenris as they can. The story is told by the sisters in alternate chapters, highlighting their inner conflicts. Scarlett and Rosie are smart, tough and determined heroines, but their special bond is strained when Rosie and Silas’s relationship becomes more than just friendship. Fans of Stephenie Meyer, Melissa Marr, Donna Jo Napoli and Shannon Hale will find much to enjoy in the plots twists, romance, supernatural elements, and fairy tale references. 2010
A. Basso