Fantasy and Science Fiction for Children and Teens
The Wizard of Oz The Oz Series: Book 1 Hardcover: 272 pages Recommended age range: 9-12 List Price: $24.99 |
Description:
Dorothy lives on a farm in Kansas, with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. One day, a cyclone carries off the house with Dorothy and her dog Toto inside. They find themselves in the Land of Oz, an incredibly beautiful land populated by strange and magical creatures. Dorothy and Toto set off for the Emerald City, in the center of Oz, to ask the Wizard to return them to Kansas. Along the way, they meet many interesting characters, including the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion, and have numerous adventures.
Most people are familiar with the story from the famous MGM movie, and while the basic story is the same in the book, there are many differences and the book is much richer. First of all, Dorothy's trip to Oz is not a dream in the book like it is in the movie; it's a real place and she really must find her way home. There are two good witches, not one, and four lands surrounding the Emerald City. The Munchkins are only one of the peoples who live in Oz; each land has its own people and its own culture (and it's own color - the Munchkins are blue). The characters are more completely developed, the adventures are richer and more detailed, and the land of Oz more completely painted than in the movie.
Mom's rating: 5.0 wands 
Mom's Review:
If you've seen the movie but never read the book, do yourself a favor and read this book! I grew up reading the Oz books and still enjoy them as much as I did as a child. The story is engaging and the characters likeable. Once you start reading this book, you'll be transported to the magical land of Oz, and unlike Dorothy, you won't want to come home again!
There are some violent scenes in the book: the group has to kill wild beasts that attack them, for example. And the witch can be scary for very young children. Overall, however, the book is mild by the standards of today's young adult fiction. It's not nearly as scary as Harry Potter, for example. The book is aimed at a slightly younger audience than Harry Potter, at least by today's standards, but adults and kids of all ages will enjoy this book.
All Editions:
Hardcover (100th Anniversary Edition) ISBN 0060293233 $16.49 Buy Now | Paperback ISBN 0688166776 $7.99 Buy Now |
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