SHORT

Randy Newman famously sang, “short people got no reason to live,” but Schwartz presents himself as living proof that being short is no obstacle to happiness or success. Functioning as both a memoir and an advice book, the narrative shares the author’s experiences of growing up short in a culture that favors the tall and explores scientific facts about height. Using examples from marketing, mythology and psychology, it shows that the cultural obsession with height can be unhealthy and even dangerous and that prejudice against the short persists. The author offers readers sound advice on both how to avoid falling into the trap of believing shortness is synonymous with inferior and the healthy lifestyle everyone should pursue to realize his or her full potential growth. There are extensive recommendations for further reading and study. The narrative’s conversational style is appealing and engaging, and its personal and objective insights are thoughtful and helpful. The author quotes Newman then successfully proves him wrong. (Nonfiction. 11-14)