Short

Gr 4–7—Performing as a munchkin in a summer production of The Wizard of Oz is about the last way 11-year-old Julia wants to spend her school vacation. But when her mother forces both Julia and her younger brother Randy to audition, they both wind up with parts—Randy because he's a terrific singer and Julia owing to her size (she's unusually short for her age). Although Julia is initially resistant to everything about the play (the singing, the dancing, the costumes), she is spellbound by the director, a captivating theater veteran who makes everything about the production seem irresistible. Throughout the summer, Julia befriends other theater people, including an adult named Olive who has dwarfism, and elderly Mrs. Chang, a former prima ballerina and a costuming genius. By the time opening night arrives, Julia has grown into an entirely new person, and she comes to realize that inside is the only place where growing really matters. Tara Sands's energetic narration perfectly captures Julia's big personality; the way she uses different voices for each character is a perfect fit for this theatre-centered story.