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Staff Pick
Holly Goldberg Sloan, author of Counting by 7s, brings us this unique story of Julia Marks. Julia is a little short for her age and is unexpectedly cast as a munchkin in a local production of The Wizard of Oz. Short is a story of family, community, self-esteem, and having an open heart. It’s written with the humor and insight that only Holly Goldberg Sloan can bring. Recommended By Richard C., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
In this heartwarming and funny middle-grade novel by the New York Times bestselling author of Counting by 7s, Julia grows into herself while playing a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz
Julia is very short for her age, but by the end of the summer run of The Wizard of Oz, she'll realize how big she is inside, where it counts. She hasn't ever thought of herself as a performer, but when the wonderful director of Oz casts her as a Munchkin, she begins to see herself in a new way. As Julia becomes friendly with the poised and wise Olive one of the adults with dwarfism who've joined the production's motley crew of Munchkins and with her deeply artistic neighbor, Mrs. Chang, Julia s own sense of self as an artist grows. Soon, she doesn't want to fade into the background and it s a good thing, because her director has more big plans for Julia.
Bubbling over with humor and tenderness, this is an irresistible story of self-discovery and of the role models who forever change us.
Review
"A charming read with an important message that no matter one’s stature, 'the way we move tells the world who we are.'" Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Sweet and uplifting.... It’s refreshing that Julia doesn’t mind being short and believes she’s ‘little, but big inside.’ Her self-acceptance is inspiring and the joy she experiences in her foray into theater is irresistible." Booklist (Starred Review)
Review
"Short joins other middle-grade novels... in celebrating the transcendent power of theater for kids." The New York Times Book Review
Synopsis
In this heartwarming and funny middle-grade novel by the New York Times bestselling author of Counting by 7s, Julia grows into herself while playing a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz
Julia is very short for her age, but by the end of the summer run of The Wizard of Oz, she'll realize how big she is inside, where it counts. She hasn't ever thought of herself as a performer, but when the wonderful director of Oz casts her as a Munchkin, she begins to see herself in a new way. As Julia becomes friendly with the poised and wise Olive--one of the adults with dwarfism who've joined the production's motley crew of Munchkins--and with her deeply artistic neighbor, Mrs. Chang, Julia's own sense of self as an artist grows. Soon, she doesn't want to fade into the background--and it's a good thing, because her director has more big plans for Julia
Bubbling over with humor and tenderness, this is an irresistible story of self-discovery and of the role models who forever change us.
About the Author
Holly Goldberg Sloan was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan and spent her childhood living in Holland, Istanbul, Turkey, Washington DC, Berkeley, California and Eugene, Oregon. After graduating from Wellesley College and spending some time as an advertising copywriter, she began writing and directing family feature films, including Angels in the Outfield and Made in America. Counting by 7s, her first middle-grade novel, was a New York Times Bestseller. The mother of two sons, Holly lives with her husband in Santa Monica, California.