  | Grump : the (fairly) true tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves Author: Shurtliff, Liesl | |
| Price: $16.34 | ||
Summary:
When the queen commands him to carry out a horrible task against her stepdaughter Snow White, Grump is in over his head. He's bound by magic to help the queen, but also to protect Snow White. As if that wasn't stressful enough, the queen keeps bugging him for updates through her magic mirror! He'll have to dig deep to find a way out of this pickle, and that's enough to make any dwarf Grumpy indeed.
Download a Teacher's Guide
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 4.60 Points: 10.0 Quiz: 195950 | Reading Counts Information: Interest Level: 3-5 Reading Level: 3.50 Points: 15.0 Quiz: 77175 | |
Reviews:
School Library Journal (02/01/18)
Booklist (02/15/18)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 02/01/2018 Gr 4–6—Dwarves live and work underground, and dwarflings are taught to fear the Surface and the humans who live there. Borlen's scandalous curiosity about the Earth and his fear of depths make life underground a misery, earning him the nickname Grump. When he eventually escapes to the Surface, he befriends a human queen who treats him as a trusted advisor. It is only when the queen uses Borlen's words to justify her attempt to kill Snow White that he realizes her true character. When he finds himself magically sworn to serve the queen and to protect Snow White, he struggles to do the right thing while finding a place where he belongs. Shurtliff's fourth fractured fairy tale boasts the same intricate world-building, expansive character development, and rich imagery as her other novels. By shining the spotlight on a seemingly secondary character, Shurtliff explores the theme of how we assign value to people: being different can make you either an outcast or someone special. The story moves at a fast pace and deftly balances lighthearted humor with emotional weight. Many readers will recognize the feelings of isolation and dread Borlen endures when he's teased by groups of other dwarves. Fans of Disney's fairy tales will enjoy the slow reveal of how Borlen's crew syncs up with the movie dwarves as well as the subtle setup for a true tale of Rapunzel. VERDICT A recommended purchase and a sure hit for Shurtliff's fans.—Elizabeth Lovsin, Deerfield Public Library, IL - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 02/15/2018 Borlen is not like other dwarfs. Born close to the Surface, he suffers from horrible depth sickness. Forced to work in the mines as a “seventh,” a crew member who does tasks no one else wants to do, he soon finds himself nicknamed Grump. When he accidentally breaks through to the Surface, he meets Queen Elfrieda, who welcomes him in friendship. When Grump’s fate stone, a simple mirror, foretells the queen’s future, she becomes obsessed with being the fairest of them all. Grump ends up caught in the middle when both the queen and Snow White take him by the beard, an act that forces a dwarf to do whatever the person commands. The queen wants Snow dead; Snow wants Grump’s protection. Can Grump, the misfit dwarf, find a way to save Snow and overthrow the villainous queen? Shurtliff’s fourth fractured fairy tale (after Red, 2016) presents a hilarious reimagining of its origin story with a wonderfully detailed world and interesting twists on classic characters. Sure to be a hit with fantasy fans looking for comedy. - Copyright 2018 Booklist.
