more than meets the eye

Do you love the re-telling of fairy tales? Is one of your favorite TV shows Once Upon a Time on ABC? Then... have I got the book for you!

Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff

From GoodReads:

In a magical kingdom where your name is your destiny, 12-year-old Rump is the butt of everyone's joke. But when he finds an old spinning wheel, his luck seems to change. Rump discovers he has a gift for spinning straw into gold. His best friend, Red Riding Hood, warns him that magic is dangerous, and she’s right. With each thread he spins, he weaves himself deeper into a curse.

To break the spell, Rump must go on a perilous quest, fighting off pixies, trolls, poison apples, and a wickedly foolish queen. The odds are against him, but with courage and friendship—and a cheeky sense of humor—he just might triumph in the end.

"Lighthearted and inventive, Rump amusingly expands a classic tale." —Brandon Mull, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Fablehaven.

Perfect for fans of Ella Enchanted or A Tale Dark and Grimm.

I especially liked Red's grandmother. She sees Rump in a way that no one else sees him. That is, she sees his potential, and knows that there is more to him than meets the eye. 

This book would be a great read aloud. It contains so many lessons (bullying, greed, friendship, loss, bad choices) without being preachy and pushy.