Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Hello, Readers!
This week our fifth grade book club members are discussing Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan. With its humor, insight, and terrifically quirky cast of characters, including the unforgettable Julia Marks, this novel is a heartwarming, joyous story of self-discovery and the role models who forever change us.
Julia spends a lot of time looking up. But please don't call her short; she is boycotting that word. She's not allowed to boycott the local theater production of The Wizard of Oz, however. Her mother insisted that she audition, and now she has been cast as a Munchkin--even though she can't dance or carry a tune. Her summer is not starting well.
But then, unexpectedly, Julia begins to see her world-- and herself --in a different way. She is inspired by the show's always enthusiastic director, and she becomes friendly with two women unlike any she has ever met: Olive, an adult with dwarfism who doesn't let her size define her; and Mrs. Chang, a neighbor whose incredible artistry helps Julia see herself as an artist. She soon realizes that "this is going to be the summer when the little people call the shots."
Source: book jacket
Possible Discussion Questions:*
- Who are Julia’s role models? Why is it important for kids to have role models? Who is your role model?
- Why did Julia almost quit the play? What does Olive do to keep Julia in the show? Have you ever wanted to quit an activity? What motivated you to stick with it?
- Julia is praised for taking initiative during the play. What is initiative? Do you agree with Shawn that initiative is more important than talent, luck, or good looks?
- Several characters must deal with assumptions people make based on how they look. What do you think it’s like to be Olive? What did Julia assume about Mrs. Chang? Have you ever made an incorrect assumption about someone else that you later corrected? Have you ever felt like people made an incorrect assumption about you?
- Shawn Barr explains that “artists are observers.” This challenges what Julia has always thought. How are you an artist? What do you think is the purpose of art?
- Why is Julia upset when she finds out she is just slow to grow and will probably not be short forever? Why does she want to be “short”?
- Discuss how Julia, Randy, and Shawn each handle the review of the play after opening night. What can you learn from Shawn and Randy’s reactions?
- What does Julia learn about herself during her summer as a Munchkin? What qualities or skills make you unique?
- Julia comes up with a slogan that she would put on a business card — “Marks Hits Her Marks.” What would your personal slogan be?
- Julia wonders how many adults really like their jobs and fantasizes about a future career where she could eat apricots, walk a dog, and lay in the grass and daydream. What is your fantasy career?
- Shawn Barr teaches the Munchkins about the value of body movement in acting. What does your body movement say about you? Does how you move change based on your mood?
- What surprised you as you read this story?
- How has your thinking changed (or been confirmed) after reading Short?
Curriculum Connections:
- Life Skills (self-discovery, appreciating differences, problem solving, role models)
- Art (drama, acting, body language)
- Research - Dwarfism
What 5th Grade Book Club Members Thought:
- Our rating: 4.4 out of 5
- "One question I wondered was why Julia wanted to stay short?" --Vibha
- "Why do they call flying monkeys winged monkeys?" --Sophie
- "I want to talk about when Julia and Olive flew." --Katie
- "Why was Shawn Barr at the motel?" --Alexa
- "One part of the story that sticks out in my mind was when she met the director." --Jordyn
- "Why weren't Olive and Julia written in the newspaper when they were talking about who the flying monkeys (winged monkeys) were?" --Kenzie
- "I want to talk about her flying." --Aditi
- "Why would Julia almost quit the play?" --Alex
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