Parents' Guide to

Short

By Darienne Stewart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Small girl grows inside in funny, inspiring theater tale.

Book Holly Goldberg Sloan Coming of Age 2017
Short Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Potterhead-July 31
Potterhead-July 31 Parent of 14-year-old
August 27, 2022
age 12+

Fine. Has some a little questionable words (not swearing).

Heads up: I’m a 14 year old teen. I enjoyed the book- had a hard putting it down till the merry end. Not cuz it was scary, just cuz it was so honest, sweet, pure and just made a good, honest (again) read. Cons: as I mentioned in the title. Nothing a 12, 13 year old can’t handle.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Julia W.
Julia W. Adult
June 4, 2018
age 11+

Good

I think that they talk about dwarfism so I think a mature kid like a 11 year old would understand this book. Xoxo-Julia

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Julia's grandma tells her she may be SHORT, but she's tough like a terrier, yet Julia isn’t so sure. Facing a summer without her friends and grieving her beloved dog, Julia reluctantly tries out for a part in The Wizard of Oz even though she knows she isn't the talented one in the family. To her surprise, she's cast as a Munchkin. The play opens up a new world for Julia, who finds herself constantly challenged -- and loving it. She discovers a talented and generous neighbor with a fascinating background, befriends a woman who's as small as she is, and grows to revere the play's director. Every day brings a new lesson, and by summer's end, Julia feels she's learned to fly.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (6):

Sweet, smart, and laugh-out-loud funny, this delightful novel by Holly Goldberg Sloan is a wonderful read, bubbling with discovery and excitement and embracing the bittersweet in life. Short is a sure delight for theater kids, but it will also resonate with readers who aren't yet sure what their "thing" is or if they even have a thing.

Julia's stream-of-consciousness narration sidetracks into musings on curious idioms, gentle self-chiding for her less charitable thoughts, and precociously somber reminders of the lessons she's learning in her summer theater experience. She's naive enough to not always understand exactly why the adults around her behave the way they do, particularly when it comes to romantic entanglements, but she has the maturity to understand how they're feeling. The strong, caring adult characters are just as appealing as young Julia, whose joyful spirit carries the story.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Julia shifts from apprehension and self-doubt to exhilaration when she tries new things in Short. Do you get nervous trying new things? When have you been surprised to discover you liked something you thought you'd hate?

  • How is Julia's story similar to Dorothy's in The Wizard of Oz? What lessons do both girls learn?

  • Julia puzzles over idioms. What idioms are you curious about? How can you find out what they mean or how they came into being?

Book Details

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