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sqeeker's review against another edition
3.0
- This was a fun and refreshing new take on a classic fairy tale.
- I liked Red and Rump better, but this was good. I liked this better than Jack.
- I liked the Grump was the center of the story, and I liked learning about the dwarfish ways. The author was really clever with the Dwarves' way of life.
- Snow White was a little annoying, but I think she was supposed to be.
- I liked the queen dynamic. I really liked that being the fairest in the land had two meanings, and the queen totally took the wrong one.
- I liked that Grump had to figure out where he belonged in his society, and I liked his character growth.
- There a few slow parts, but overall, this was an entertaining read.
- I liked Red and Rump better, but this was good. I liked this better than Jack.
- I liked the Grump was the center of the story, and I liked learning about the dwarfish ways. The author was really clever with the Dwarves' way of life.
- Snow White was a little annoying, but I think she was supposed to be.
- I liked the queen dynamic. I really liked that being the fairest in the land had two meanings, and the queen totally took the wrong one.
- I liked that Grump had to figure out where he belonged in his society, and I liked his character growth.
- There a few slow parts, but overall, this was an entertaining read.
esw_reads's review against another edition
3.0
Took a while for me to get into it, but after that it was really really good. I like the way the story of snow white is told, verry creative.
kellen_green's review against another edition
4.0
Nice retelling of Snow White. Adorable (yet grumpy) character and a sense of perspectibe gives the story an intetrsting twist!
carnisht's review against another edition
4.0
Once upon a time, I read a very cute story. ‘Twas the story of a young dwarfling growing up and seeking his own adventure. Okay… that’s all the fairy tale writing I can do. I was pretty much immediately pulled into this story due to my fascination with learning the background of the dwarf colonies underground. Seeing the way they lived their daily lives (eating rocks, sleeping on rocks, getting assigned to tunnels, etc.) was really interesting to me and never how I imagined the background of Snow White’s dwarves.
I really enjoyed the dwarf crew and how uniquely Shurtliff was able to put a spin on them and their personalities. I didn’t love that I couldn’t easily pinpoint all the dwarves, but it was still fun. I liked how Gilpin (AKA Dopey) was Grump’s best friend, and it was so weird that Rudger (AKA Sneezy) was his bully, but the dynamics were interesting and felt new. I feel like in the OG, we don’t get a ton about the interpersonal dynamics of the dwarves, so I appreciated learning more about that here.
Grump (well, Borlen) was a very interesting narrator. I felt pretty connected to him and like I really knew and understood who he was. He was an incredibly happy, self-assured kid who, as a result of his treatment by others for being different, became grumpy. All of this led to his increased desire to go to The Surface and be on his own, away from the other dwarves. I feel like Shurtliff did a really good job telling his story in that way.
To read more of my review, check out:
https://yalitreader.wordpress.com/2022/06/05/grump-by-liesl-shurtliff/
I really enjoyed the dwarf crew and how uniquely Shurtliff was able to put a spin on them and their personalities. I didn’t love that I couldn’t easily pinpoint all the dwarves, but it was still fun. I liked how Gilpin (AKA Dopey) was Grump’s best friend, and it was so weird that Rudger (AKA Sneezy) was his bully, but the dynamics were interesting and felt new. I feel like in the OG, we don’t get a ton about the interpersonal dynamics of the dwarves, so I appreciated learning more about that here.
Grump (well, Borlen) was a very interesting narrator. I felt pretty connected to him and like I really knew and understood who he was. He was an incredibly happy, self-assured kid who, as a result of his treatment by others for being different, became grumpy. All of this led to his increased desire to go to The Surface and be on his own, away from the other dwarves. I feel like Shurtliff did a really good job telling his story in that way.
To read more of my review, check out:
https://yalitreader.wordpress.com/2022/06/05/grump-by-liesl-shurtliff/
danika_eden1038's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
womanon's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of the most funny, quirky, easy and fast-paced middle-grade stories I read in a while! Loved it completely!
amysutton's review against another edition
4.0
This was a cute retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves as told from the seventh Dwarf, Borlen's, perspective. Borlen (unaffectionately nicknamed Grump by all the dwarves) was born near the surface and yearns to explore his whole life. If he goes deeper into the dwarf mines, he's dizzy and sick. This alienates him from all the other dwarves. When he finally gets a chance to (accidentally) go to the Surface, he happily chases freedom and gets entangled with the evil stepmother. Magic mirrors, huntsmen, mining precious gems, and magical beards are all involved for this fractured fairytale.
I enjoyed this. There were a few pacing areas that weren't perfect (the ending felt abrupt), but overall this was very enjoyable and kids will LOVE this! I already have Rump to read next.
I enjoyed this. There were a few pacing areas that weren't perfect (the ending felt abrupt), but overall this was very enjoyable and kids will LOVE this! I already have Rump to read next.
ru_bunny's review against another edition
Very slow build, unlikeable main character
mrsbond's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book! This is a fun to read reimagninging of the dwarves who protected Snow White, particularly the one known as Grumpy. While she does make an appearance, Snow White is a minor character in this tale. Instead we follow the life of Borlen (aka Grumpy) as he struggles between his curiosity about the surface and his obligations below ground. Through the process we learn about dwarf culture, relationships, and even cuisine. I enjoyed this story so much that I booktalked the author's earlier works to my 5th grade students since they can't read this until May. I plan to acquire a copy for both my elementary and middle school libraries.
Note: I received this from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
Note: I received this from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
kayladaila's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5