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.

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.

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.

Mountain village / Medieval fantasy world

Liesl Shurtliff

Middle grade

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

Before You Read

Explore Rump reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Rump | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Rump and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Rump Summary and Study Guide

Background

Rump Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-6

Rump Chapters 1-6 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 7-12

Rump Chapters 7-12 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 13-17

Rump Chapters 13-17 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 18-25

Rump Chapters 18-25 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 26-Epilogue

Rump Chapter 26-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Rump Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Rump Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Rump Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Rump Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Rump Essay Topics

Introduction

Rump Teacher Introduction

Before Reading

Rump Before Reading

During Reading

Rump During Reading

After Reading

Rump After Reading

Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Rump?

Reading Age

Book Details