Short

March 29, 2010
Schwartz, a reporter for the New York Times
, debuts with an investigation of the relationship between height, wealth, and happiness, that's rich with examples from his own life. At 5'3” as an adult, Schwartz has been considered short all his life, which has affected him in ways both obvious and invisible. With an accessibly informal and even cheeky tone, he mixes personal anecdotes with information from scientific papers, news articles, and interviews as he explores hormones and surgeries marketed to children and parents, breaks down the biases that can be found in scientific studies, and even covers the embarrassment (but also bargains!) to be had shopping in the boys' department. Schwartz also discusses ways to physically and mentally deal with shortness (and how it can be an advantage), encouraging healthy eating, exercise, and breaking the habit of blaming one's problems on height: “earning to tell what's real from what's hype can save you from a lot of unhappiness.” Charts and statistics complement this down-to-earth and hopeful account, which demonstrates that being different doesn't have to forecast what Schwartz calls a “second-rate life.” Ages 11–14.

March 1, 2010
Gr 7 Up-Looking to dispel the popular myth that shorter people don't do as well in life, that they encounter far more difficulties, earn less money, and aren't as happy romantically as their taller counterparts, the author breaks down related studies and explains the real statistics behind the headlines and hype. In a style that is funny, accessible, and irreverent, Schwartz deftly handles topics such as human growth hormones, bullies, genetics, and the psychology of being short. Interviews with a variety of experts are included, and the author does an excellent job of clarifying complicated statistics. In this part memoir, part self-help book, and part treatise on why the media and the medical establishment have blown short stature way out of proportion, the author uses his own experiences and those of others to demonstrate how many of the myths are wrong. Booktalk this with Dan Elish's "Born Too Short" (S & S) and Joan Bauer's "Stand Tall" (Putnam, both 2002) as a fun way to get kids interested in the topic"Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2010
Grades 4-8 In a humorous, personal voice, New York Times journalist Schwartz combines his own memories of growing up short with related discussions about physiology, statistics, popular culture, and societal prejudice, always returning to his own self-image. Distinguishing whats bogus from whats solid, he exposes the so-called scientific studies that prove shortness is a problem and that height translates into wealth, faulty research that helps businesses market growth hormones and other treatments. At the same time, Schwartz never denies that a small size raises problems of teasing and self-esteem trouble. He draws on his own experience; interviews with others; and biographies of short, successful astronauts, artists, and politicians to show that while size matters, it doesnt determine a persons future. There is repetition, but short kids will want every word, whether it is about tall guys with problems or about Schwartzs own dating failures and successes; and many readers will move on to the resource lists of articles, Web sites, and scientific papers in the detailed, informal back matter.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)