There is always the 650b--the wheel size b/w a 26 and 29er. I actually wish I knew about this option before I jumped on the 29er wagon. Don't get me wrong, I love my 29er, but it is heavier than the 26er and there is no way to get around the worst kind of weight you can add to a bike: rolling weight.

The 650b is a good option for a smaller rider looking for that 29er feel. Here is a link to a full-suspension option. A local bike fabricator has a hard-tail version.