Twelve-year-old Rumpelstiltskin has never known his name—only part of it—and with a name like "Rump" it's no wonder his life stinks.<br><br>When Rump finds an old spinning wheel, his luck seems to change. For with the wheel he discovers he has the magical ability to spin worthless straw into glittering gold—as much gold as he wants! His best friend Red Riding Hood warns him about the dangers of magic, but of course Rump doesn't listen. And it's a pity he doesn't, because that gold is worth its weight in trouble. As more people find out, they all demand a share of the wealth, and Rump's problems quickly spin out of control.<br><br>To set things right, Rump must go on a journey to discover his true name, along the way defending himself from pixies, trolls, poison apples, and one beautiful but vile-mannered queen. The odds are against him, but with a little help from Red, he might just succeed.