Rump
Liesl Shurtliff
Rump
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin
by Liesl Shurtliff
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Rump is the most misunderstood character in all the fairy tales — not just a tiny trickster, but a boy with a big secret power to spin straw into gold. His name holds the key to magic, mystery, and a promise that changes everything. Discover why his story matters more than you ever imagined.
Quick Assessment
Rump offers a fresh and humorous retelling of the classic Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale, focusing on the character's childhood and the origins of his magical abilities. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, this middle grade novel blends fantasy and humor while exploring themes of identity and the importance of names. Parents should note the story includes magical elements and mild peril typical of fairy tale adaptations.
Why we rated Rump 11LE
Rump is written at a Level 6 reading level across 264 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Rump works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Rump as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Rump explores fairy tales, humor, magic, personal identity, and adventure — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fairy tales, humor, magic.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Rumpelstiltskin
Deanna McFadden
Rumpelstiltskin
Deanna McFadden
Rumpelstiltskin
Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm
Rumpelstiltskin
Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm
Rumpelstiltskin
Jean Little
Rumpelstiltskin
Jean Little
Rumpelstiltskin
Marcia Leonard
Rumpelstiltskin
Marcia Leonard
Rumpelstiltskin
Thomas Nelson
Rumpelstiltskin
Thomas Nelson
Rumpelstiltskin
Jean Little
Rumpelstiltskin
Jean Little
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780545765862
- Pages
- 264
- Publisher
- Scholastic
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction