Description In 1970s Chicago, Matasha (not Natasha!) is 11 and in the sixth grade, living with her Jewish parents (a quirky mother and semi-stuffy father) who are at odds, and struggling with the fact that her best (and only) friend is blowing her off. What could make things worse? Matasha is short--four feet, four inches, to be precise. If she doesn't start growing on her own, she'll need to go on growth hormone injections. Did she mention her all-encompassing fear of needles? She obsesses over a missing neighborhood boy, newspaper advice columns, and the national scandals of the day until her mother runs off to Switzerland with a former flame. Through it all, Matasha is uncompromisingly herself--not always likable, but sincere and growing, literally and figuratively, along the way.