Straw into Gold

by Gary D. Schmidt

What fills a hand fuller than a skein of gold? By order of the king, two boys, Tousle and Innes, must find the answer to this puzzling riddle within seven days or be killed. A former nursemaid to the queen’s child tells the boys that the banished queen may have the answer they seek. Danger presents itself at every turn, for the boys are pursued by the Great Barons, who are secretly plotting against the king. Another pursuer, the greedy King’s Grip, reveals a strange story of a little man who once spun straw into gold of incredible beauty for the queen but then disappeared with her firstborn son. Tousle realizes that the man he calls Da is the strange little man and, even more amazing, that he himself may be the lost prince. Or could it be Innes, who although cruelly blinded can hear the music of the dawn? This skillful blend of fantasy and adventure reveals what might have happened before the queen makes her third and last guess and the story of Rumpelstiltskin—as we know it—ends.

Genres: Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Young Adult, Fiction, Middle Grade, Retellings, Childrens

176 pages, Paperback

First published April 23, 2001

About the author

Gary D. Schmidt is an American children's writer of nonfiction books and young adult novels, including two Newbery Honor books. He lives on a farm in Alto, Michigan,with his wife and six children, where he splits wood, plants gardens, writes, feeds the wild cats that drop by and wishes that sometimes the sea breeze came that far inland. He is a Professor of English at Calvin College.

Reviews

[Josiah · Rating 1 out of 5]

No one's writing is easier for me to identify than Gary D. Schmidt's. His words are weighty and sensual, driving the story with feeling and power. He opens up the narrative experience so you taste the savory sweetness of a buttered scone on your own tongue, or feel in your bones the miserable, creeping cold of being locked outside in winter. A scholar and literary artiste, Gary D. Schmidt brings his style to the legend of Rumpelstiltskin, adding several twists to keep the story fresh. After the king accepts the poor miller at his word, taking his daughter to the castle to test if she can truly spin straw into gold, the distraught young lady is visited by a strange little man who completes the task for her. Multiple times the king demands the miller's daughter spin straw into gold, locked alone in a room under penalty of death should she fail, and repeatedly the little man helps her, until she has nothing left to offer in return but her firstborn son someday. Eventually she weds the king, and the little man returns after their son's birth to claim him. However, he offers a chance to keep the child: if the queen guesses the little man's name within nine tries, he will forfeit his claim. But there's no miracle for the miller's daughter, and the little man departs with the babe in his arms. The queen is left to her grief.

Sometime later, a boy named Tousle and his da travel to the city of Wolverham to watch the king's procession. The pageantry is dazzling, but hits a sour note when a ragtag group of political prisoners is brought out to be mocked by the crowds. Among them is a boy Tousle's age named Innes, blind from a slash he took long ago across his eyes. Tousle steps forward in defense of the boy when the king asks if anyone would advocate for the prisoners, and soon Tousle is also targeted by the crown as disloyal. The king poses a riddle to the two boys, warning that they must approach him with the solution in seven days or every prisoner will be executed. Unable to locate Da, Tousle runs off with Innes, hoping to find the queen where she resides in exile at Saint Eynsham Abbey. Tousle and Innes both sense she knows the riddle's answer, but their path to her will not be unimpeded. Lord Beryn, the man who blinded Innes, pursues the two boys, eager to slit their throats before they set foot in the queen's presence. Tousle and Innes each have a secret past, and unlocking the connection between them is the only way to solve the king's riddle. Will fate be on their side as they quest, the lives of many political prisoners in their hands?

I wanted to love Straw Into Gold as I love most of what Gary D. Schmidt writes, but I couldn't get there. I'm not convinced the narrative makes sense. The author is capable of incredibly crisp storytelling, but this book falls short of that. The sensory passages are as stimulating as I expect from Gary D. Schmidt, and a few proverbs from the common people are thoughtful. "Let the eyes of the unjust be blind" is one, a wishful utterance when one desires to be unnoticed by enemies. "When we laugh, we escape the Devil" is another, a reminder that retaining a sense of humor in spite of hardship is the best self-defense. I would rate Straw Into Gold one and a half stars, and part of me wants to go higher. This isn't a favorite Gary D. Schmidt novel of mine, but when he's on his game, he is one of the best. I'll always count myself a fan.

[Amy Uptain · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I love Gary D. Schmidt’s writing? Let me count the ways.

I love that he is an agile enough writer to take me from contemporary fiction (Orbiting Jupiter) to fairytale re-told (this novel) with few hiccups.

I love that his endings are completely satisfying, that the story arc is complete.

I love that he infuses his metaphorically-rich stories with humor and warmth.

I love that redemption is a theme he visits and revisits.

I love that even the worst father can be redeemed.

I wasn’t sure about this one: the rest of the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale? After reading and re-reading Okay for Now, The Wednesday Wars, Orbiting Jupiter, and even Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about visiting a fantastical world with Schmidt. It turns out that everything I love about Schmidt’s writing is true for this book and then some.

If this book is an indication of how rich my reading life will be in 2018, it’s going to be a great year.

[Kala Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book far more than I expected. It’s Gary Schmidt, so I knew I’d like it, but it definitely exceeded expectations. A fun and easy read, but also just lovely with themes of forgiveness and love. Highly recommend.

[Gwyneth Bare · Rating 2 out of 5]

It just wasn't very exciting for me :/ I know a lot of people love it, But I guess it's just not my type of book

[Kristy]

DNF @pg 50.
.
How many Rumplestiltskin books can I quit in one month?!
.
It pains me to abandon a Gary Schmidt book, but it also pained me to read this dull story.
.
If a book is less than 200 pages and the first 50 of those pages are tedious, it doesn't bode well for the other 100+ pages.
.
On to the next.

[N_sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered why Rumpelstiltskin wanted the first born child in his classic tale? The author of "Straw Into Gold" created a chapter book that spins more than gold. It unravels a mystery that answers that question. The prologue to the story tells a version of "Rumpelstiltskin" in which the little man spins the straw into gold for the miller's daughter, but she is not able to guess his name so he takes her first born child. Then as chapter one of the story begins, we meet a young boy named Tousle and his Da. Right away, we find out that Da has some magical gifts. When Da takes Tousle to the king's castle for the first time, a perilous adventure begins for Tousle. He stands up to the king to try and save the lives of some prisoners. The king gives Tousle 7 days to find the correct answer to the riddle, "What fills a hand fuller than a skein of gold?" or he will kill the innocent victims. Da has disappeared when Tousle sets out with only a blind boy named Innes as his companion. They travel to see the banished queen who they think can answer the riddle. There are evil doers pursuing them and danger at every turn. Along the way, they receive help from some unexpected people. Throughout the story the reader is given clues that link these characters back to the tale of "Rumpelstiltskin." The characters are also giving clues to answer the riddle. I can't say more or I will spoil the mystery for you.
I enjoyed reading this chapter book. To me, this story was to "Rumpelstiltskin," what "Wicked" was to "The Wizard of Oz." It told the rest of the story. The way the author revealed little bits of information as the story progressed, kept me engaged and guessing until the end. This book would be a good read aloud for upper elementary children after reading them a classic version of the tale of "Rumpelstiltskin." The book could also be used to teach lessons on making predictions and inferences based on the clues the author divulges a little at a time.

[K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed feelings. Probably 4 for the story, but 3 for the writing, which I really got hung up on.

I love the books I've read by Mr. Schmidt so far so I was game for this one, especially being a fairy tale retelling. Personal opinion here (well, I guess this all is, eh?): although it was decent reading, this genre is not where he shines. But I'm no expert on him at all, so throw that out if you don't like it.

Themes were great. Interesting take on the tale. Characters didn't really grow on me sufficiently. As mentioned, there was some strange language usage that recalled to mind an English prof I had once who said if she ever wrote the word "clever" on one of our papers it wasn't a compliment.

It did gel more toward the end and I left it feeling more satisfied than I expected, but not over-excited or enchanted by it. I'm not sorry I read it, but a bit, shall we say, indifferent?

Lest you think that I got so hung up on the ills perceived, I did appreciate the point and the beauties of Schmidt's vision here, at least I think I did. But, well, the cleverness got the better of the appreciation. It happens sometimes.

It was quite violent. While reading I was considering handing it to my 11 yo girl next, but I don't think I will because of said violence, although the 14 yo boy read & liked. And really, I'm such a snob, but there was one word (no, not a swear word) in this book that I just don't know why anyone would ever use, especially publish, it's so vulgar. See, I won't even tell.

Ant there you have it. Little Miss tight-bun, big-glasses, prim & proper, be-quiet, librarian-lady came out a bit in this one. I do like her sometimes, but you may not. As you choose. I won't know.

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Level: Middle School ( Potential difficulty with dialog when character "Da" refers to "Tousle" in 3rd person when talking with him)
This novel is an excellent derivative on the traditional tale of Rumpelstiltskin. Author Gary Schmidt answers the question - Why did Rumpelstiltskin want the boy? in this story that stays true to the elements of traditional literature including a great twist-(that is all I will say - I don't want to spoil the fun of it). Two boys (around 14 yrs of age), strangers, end up on a journey to answer a riddle while avoiding deceitful "great lords" in order to find the banished queen who they beleive has the answer that will save them.
I read this book in one sitting - finding myself cheering for the boys and wishing I myself had some of the "wicked turnips" to throw at their rivals.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this middle grade novel as an easy read for myself/pre-read for my kids. So many fairy tale retellings are female oriented, that I liked the male protagonists, their friendship, and a different spin on Rumplestiltskin. I’m sure I could find fault with some of the author’s choices, but the pacing was very good, and I found the mysteries and resolution engaging. I wanted to keep reading, which is always a good sign!

[Michaelann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love most things about this book, except the ending, which feels rushed and a little too tidy.

It's beautifully written --just gorgeous prose. The plot is simple but page turning. And I love the way the characters redeem and forgive.

[Megan Nason · Rating 3 out of 5]

A classic tale but told through a twisted eye.

[Kelly Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book...lots of twists and turns and adventure!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good twist on Rumplestiltskin, but the writing was confusing.

[Katrina Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting take on the traditional rumplestiltskin story. It brings it around to family and love instead of the normal greed.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gary D. Schmidt is an unbelievably versatile writer!

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful little retelling of the story of Rumpelstiltskin! This is a great backstory of the miller’s daughter and her child. I love fairy tales!

[Melinda Borda · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Tousle's Da finally takes him into Wolverham for the first time, Tousle is ecstatic. He's longed to visit the town, and on this day, the king and queen will be parading through town. But Tousle's excitement fades when in addition to the monarch, a procession of prisoners follows behind. At the gathering in the courtyard, the king decides the prisoners must be executed for their crimes. But Tousle stands up in protest asking for leniency.

The king grants leniency . . . if Tousle can answer a riddle for him. Tousle, along with one of the prisoners, is given a week to search for an answer to the riddle in order to save the lives of the prisoners. As Tousle sets out to seek an answer, he is confused and disheartened by the disappearance of his Da.

Will Tousle be able to find the answer? Where is his Da? Will the king actually grant mercy to the prisoners if Tousle finds the answer to the riddle?

[Casey Strauss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Straw in the Gold by Gary D. Schmidt takes the story of Rumpelstiltskin and adds a twist, what if they queen hadn’t been able to guess his name and he in turn took her child? The book opens with a retelling of the story, with Rumpelstiltskin leaving the queen with her baby. In the opening chapter, a young boy, Tousle, and his father are traveling to the city to see the king, who is returning to the city after successfully preventing a rebellion. Tousle is horrified to hear that, as a punishment, the rebels will be put to death. In protest, Tousle steps forward, speaking on behalf of the accused, more specifically to spare the life of another young rebel, Innes. The king offers them a deal; solve his riddle in seven days and their lives, and the lives of the other rebels, will be spared. Tousle and Innes then embark on a journey in search of the answer to the king’s riddle.
The question Schmidt poses is an interesting one, how would the story of Rumpelstiltskin be different if the queen failed to guess his name? It’s a unique twist on the classic fairy tale. Unfortunately, the story fails to deliver. I found the first chapter to be particularly confusing initially because the main character refers to himself in the third person, and this could be confusing for a student reading this novel. Oftentimes the story line can be difficult to follow, and I found myself rereading sections in order to follow the plot. The adventure and relationship between the two boys is engaging at times, but whatever momentum is built through some chapters, slows in other chapters with overly wordy descriptions and paragraphs. Some questions are answered regarded the tale of Rumpelstiltskin like why he wanted the baby in the first place and what were his true intentions. If I were to use this text in class, I would read the first section entitled ‘The Miller’s Daughter’, in order to spark a creative writing activity. I think it would be an interesting writing exercise to do with older students, and have them take a classic fairy tale and somehow change it. I think this book would be best read by students in middle school, sixth through eighth grade.

[Lacey Louwagie · Rating 3 out of 5]

After years of avoiding Rumpelstiltskin retellings while I worked on my own, it's been fun to read different interpretations of one of my top three favorite fairy tales. This book takes for its premise that the queen never guessed Rumpelstiltskin's name, so he ended up making off with her child. As the story unfolds, the reader begins to understand his reasons for doing so. Since only the prologue involves the events of the original story, it's really more of a "continuation" than a retelling.

This story is told from the perspective of Rumpelstiltskin's son, so he is immediately redeemed of his villainous role in the story when we meet him through the eyes of one who has been loved and raised by him. Although the writing and voice here do not come across as effortlessly as in Schmidt's later, more realistic work, it's adequate for a few hours immersed in fantasy. It reminded me of the kind of fantasy I loved most as an adolescent, sort of generically medieval with a magic system and character relationships that were not too complicated.

I think my favorite part of this retelling was the way it developed the characters of the King and the queen/miller's daughter, who came alive with all their shortcomings and vulnerabilities and wounds beneath the official titles and dignified postures. What I liked least was how little we actually got to see/learn about Schmidt's version of Rumpelstiltskin, who was absent for most of the book. Still, it was enjoyable enough, if not among the most memorable fairy tale retellings I've read.

[MissDziura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gary Schmidt's adaptation of Rumpelstiltskin, Straw Into Gold, is intended for readers at a 5th-6th grade level. At first I found this novel to be interested because it began with a prologue of the original Rumpelstiltskin story but as opposed to the queen (miller's daughter) guessing the name, she fails and her baby son is taken away. Schmidt's fantasy begins years later when a boy named Tousle travels into the kingdom but is confronted with his own quest for answers that if not answered within seven days will mean his life. While all of this is happening, the queen (his mother), goes through struggles of her own that make a reader feel bad, but also question what it has to do with the bigger picture of Tousle's story. I found this novel to be very confusing and it was hard for me to keep characters in order. In addition there was a lot of little stories interwoven that made the main plot hard to find at times. I would disagree that this is for 5th and 6th grade readers, I would place it more for 7th and 8th because of the complexity of the plot and the lack of clear characterization. I do not think I would ever use this book in class, nor would I recommend it to a reader that was exploring this traditional tale. On its own, it stands as a fairly decent fantasy but in terms of a continuation of Rumpelstilitskin, I was not impressed.

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Aerie and I read it together, in honor of her dance performance as Rumplestiltskin;s daughter in our dance studio's June show. I love Gary Schmidt. (It's not his best . . . but still worth reading. Wednesday Wars and Lizzie Bright are arguably his best, and they both won Newbery honors.) Interesting twist on the familiar story, lovely descriptions of emotion and personality, and lots of adventure. It was a good morning read. I loved the message of being true to what is best inside of you, the power of family love, and that honesty is the best policy.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this new take on the story of Rumpelstiltskin! The story has wonderful layers and the characters were so fun to read! I loved the adventure and the quest of solving the King's riddle! It was really interesting reading about why Rumpelstiltskin took the baby and why he did all that he did.

I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys fairy tales. I would also recommend this to anyone who loves adventure stories and solving mysteries and puzzles.

WARNINGS
Language:no
Violence: very very mild
Drugs: no
Sex: no

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely retelling of Rumplestiltskin, though Schmidt has a gift for writing about the concept of forgiveness in all his books. His books tend to be short, but they are rich - like good chocolate.

I am a fan of the alternative fairy tale and this one explored the idea that perhaps history has been wrong about Rumplestiltskin. What if the queen didn't make the last guess and let him take the child?

[Kaitlynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This may be a good book for small children, but I found the overall focus of this book to be misplaced. I got really bored t times although it was a good book. This is pretty much the story of Rumpelstiltskin from the miller's point of view. I think if this story gave us more insight into the king and queen, it'd be more successful. I really wasn't that interested, but I wanted to finish the book because I was almost done.

[Skybo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early Gary Schmidt. Not as readable as some of his later works (though I felt the same about Lizzy Bright and the Buckminster boy) but with the same flavor. I couldn't help seeing Da as a not-evil version of the same character in Once Upon a Time, but that only added to my enjoyment :)

[Allen Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

the story of rumpelstilkskin added to and enlarged, the after story after he takes the queens baby. pretty good.

[Jared Bird · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Gary Schmidt, so it feels criminal to give one of his books such a low rating. But it's time for tough love - Gary can do so much better. I love his coming-of-age novels, but this attempt at a fairy tale was slow, confusing, and mostly a waste of time. The story starts by re-telling Rumpelstiltskin's tale, which admittedly has no likeable characters in it. Then we're introduced to Tousle, who is not the first person we'll meet with a really weird name. He lives with Da, who we immediately recognize from the initial fairy tale. Then Tousle goes off on this adventure, which Da endorses, and then Da proceeds to never enter the story again, which is a huge shame and leaves an adult-sized hole in the rest of this story about two young boys. The whole time I felt like they really could have used some guidance, but it wasn't meant to be.

The book is confusing at parts because it's not long enough to include all the subplots that Gary tried to throw in here - there's the King's Grip, a handful of rowdy lords, a peasant rebellion, and a queen-in-absentia, but everything here is introduced and taken at face value, without explanation or detail. Over the course of the book, some things become clearer than when initially introduced, but that just further slows down the pacing. Additionally, the two main characters have trouble communicating with each other - one of the boys is blind and frequently self-deprecating, but it's hard to tell when any of the other characters are being sarcastic or sincere.

Overall, I don't recommend the book - I will admit that the ending was sweet and had one neat twist, but it wasn't worth having to deal with with the bland characters and drudgery of a plot.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book begins telling a short tale of The Miller's Daughter, which is super important to the story itself.
And then the "what if?" version of Rumpelstiltskin begins. What if the baby had not been kept by the queen, but instead stolen away because the name of the little man had not been guessed?

The story itself is a fun adventure, which definitely got better as it went. I really like how it all wrapped up. What really got me was the writing style. I love this author's other novels so I was excited about the idea of this book (although the cover is verrrrry outdated) - but I cannot imagine elementary school students ever finishing this due to the writing style. (Maybe it's a bit of Old English? Not sure what to call it.)

I do think it would be a cool read aloud in a classroom during a fairy tale unit, maybe followed by Liesl Shurtliff's Rump, a rather hilarious take on the same tale.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What fills a hand fuller than a skein of gold? By order of the king, two boys, Tousle and Innes, must find the answer to this puzzling riddle within seven days or be killed. A former nursemaid to the queen’s child tells the boys that the banished queen may have the answer they seek. Danger presents itself at every turn, for the boys are pursued by the Great Barons, who are secretly plotting against the king. Another pursuer, the greedy King’s Grip, reveals a strange story of a little man who once spun straw into gold of incredible beauty for the queen but then disappeared with her firstborn son. Tousle realizes that the man he calls Da is the strange little man and, even more amazing, that he himself may be the lost prince. Or could it be Innes, who although cruelly blinded can hear the music of the dawn?
This skillful blend of fantasy and adventure reveals what might have happened before the queen makes her third and last guess and the story of Rumpelstiltskin—as we know it—ends.

[Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unusual twist to the story of Rumpelstiltskin where the queen doesn't find out the name of the short little man who comes to spin the straw into gold and therefore looses her new born child to him.
Tousle is a boy being raised by a short little man with a crooked gait and long spindly fingers whom he calls Da. Tousle and Da don't often leave their home in the forest, but when they do the trees part before them and close almost before Tousle can get through. And they never leave for long. So when Da tells Tousle to get ready for a long journey, he is very excited. But things do not go the way he thinks they will, and he not only loses Da, he finds himself on a journey to find an answer to a riddle with a boy about his age who has been blinded by the King's Grip-a very bad dude who is now hunting the two boys!