The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Barnes & Noble Classics Series)

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More About This Book

Overview

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum, is part of the Barnes & Noble Classics series, which offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras. Here are some of the remarkable features of Barnes & Noble Classics:
  • New introductions commissioned from today's top writers and scholars
  • Biographies of the authors
  • Chronologies of contemporary historical, biographical, and cultural events
  • Footnotes and endnotes
  • Selective discussions of imitations, parodies, poems, books, plays, paintings, operas, statuary, and films inspired by the work
  • Comments by other famous authors
  • Study questions to challenge the reader's viewpoints and expectations
  • Bibliographies for further reading
  • Indices & Glossaries, when appropriate
All editions are beautifully designed and are printed to superior specifications; some include illustrations of historical interest. Barnes & Noble Classics pulls together a constellation of influences—biographical, historical, and literary—to enrich each reader's understanding of these enduring works.

Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Cowardly Lion—they’re now as beloved a part of American folklore as Johnny Appleseed and Paul Bunyan. Since its first publication in 1900, L. Frank Baum’s story of a little girl carried away by a tornado to the strange and beautiful Land of Oz has had an extraordinary emotional impact on wide-eyed readers young and old.

As Dorothy journeys down the yellow brick road to the Emerald City, hoping the Great and Terrible Wizard who lives there will help her return home, she shares adventures with the famous trio of characters, defeats a wicked witch, and learns about the power of friendship, loyalty, and self-confidence. While scholars have debated for decades over possible political meanings hidden within the tale, Baum himself claimed he simply wanted to write a “modernized fairy tale, in which the wonderment and joy are retained and the heartaches and nightmares are left out.” As it has done for generations past, this classic of fantasy adventure speaks movingly about what every child needs: the Woodman’s compassion, the Lion’s courage, and the Scarecrow’s wisdom.

With original illustrations by William Wallace Denslow.

J. T. Barbarese teaches at Rutgers University in Camden, New Jersey, where he is a member of the Rutgers Center for Children and Childhood Studies. He is the author of four books of poetry and a translation of Euripides.

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781593082215
  • Publisher: Barnes & Noble
  • Publication date: 9/1/2005
  • Pages: 272
  • Sales rank: 36,974
  • Series: Barnes & Noble Classics Series , #1
  • Product dimensions: 5.19 (w) x 8.00 (h) x 0.68 (d)

Meet the Author

L. Frank Baum
J. T. Barbarese teaches at Rutgers University in Camden, New Jersey, where he is a member of the Rutgers Center for Children and Childhood Studies. He is the author of four books of poetry and a translation of Euripides.

Biography

Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow, Aunt Em -- where would our national psyche be without The Wonderful Wizard of Oz? L. Frank Baum, who created a story with an indelible, sometimes haunting impression on so many people, led a life that had a fairy-tale quality of its own.

Baum was born in 1856 to a family that had made a fortune in the oil business. Because he had a heart condition, his parents arranged for him to be tutored privately at the family’s Syracuse estate, “Roselawn.” As an adult, though, Baum flourished and failed at a dizzying variety of ventures, from writing plays to a stint with his family’s medicinal oil business (where he produced a potion called “Baum’s Castorine”), to managing a general store, to editing the Aberdeen Pioneer in Aberdeen, South Dakota. In 1897, following his mother-in-law’s advice, Baum wrote down the stories that he told his children. The firm of Way & Williams published the stories under the title Mother Goose in Prose, with illustrations by Maxfield Parrish, and Baum’s career as a writer was launched.

With the publication of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900, Baum gained instant success. The book, lavishly produced and featuring voluptuous illustrations by William Wallace Denslow, was the bestselling children’s book of the year. It also set a new standard for children’s literature. As a commentator for the September 8, 1900 New York Times described it, “The crudeness that was characteristic of the oldtime publications...would now be enough to cause the modern child to yell with rage and vigor...” The reviewer praised the book’s sheer entertainment value (its “bright and joyous atmosphere”) and likened it to The Story of the Three Bears for its enduring value. As the film industry emerged in the following years, few books were as manifestly destined for adaptation, and although it took almost four decades for a movie studio to translate Baum’s vision to film, the 1939 film did for the movies what Baum’s book had done for children’s literature: that is, raised the imaginative and technical bar higher than it had been before.

The loss of parents, the inevitable voyage toward independence, the yearning for home -- in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Baum touched upon a child’s primal experiences while providing a rousing story of adventure. As his health declined, Baum continued the series with 14 more Oz books (his publisher commissioned more by other authors after his death), but none had quite the effect on the reading public that the first one did. Baum died from complications of a stroke in 1919.

Good To Know

Baum founded the National Association of Window Trimmers and published a magazine for the window-trimming trade – he also raised exotic chickens.

Buam was married to Maud Gage, a daughter of the famous women’s rights advocate Matilda Joslyn Gage.

    1. Also Known As:
      Floyd Akers, Laura Bancroft, George Brooks, Edith Van Dyne, Schuyler Staunton, John Estes Cooke, Suzanne Metcalf, Louis F. Baum, Lyman Frank Baum (full name)
    1. Date of Birth:
      May 15, 1856
    2. Place of Birth:
      Chittenango, New York
    1. Date of Death:
      May 6, 1919
    2. Place of Death:
      Hollywood, California

Read an Excerpt

From J. T. Barbarese’s Introduction to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

For readers who come to the novel after having grown up with the movie, the biggest shock is to find in the novel none of the film’s comforting, gap-filling backstory. Some of the cinematic revisions, such as the snowstorm that wakes the sleepers in the poppy field and that replaces their rescue by the Queen of the Mice in chapter IX, were cost-efficient alternatives to special effects that might have proven impossible or inadequate to the illusion.5 The change from Silver Shoes to Ruby Slippers in the 1939 movie, as most people know, was dictated by technical considerations (red showed up more vividly on the film stock of the period than silver); and American culture would be poorer without some of its memorable dialogue. But the principal changes are in the overall characterization and in retrospect seem less defensible. In the book Uncle Henry and Auntie Em never really emerge from the background and appear together only in chapter I, Auntie Em appearing alone in the very brief closing chapter. The film, however, shows them as loveable (if two-toned) representatives of a loveable Kansas home. Margaret Hamilton’s Wicked Witch turns out to be one more ripple in Dorothy’s concussed subconscious and the Kansas prototype of the Wicked Witch of the West, who even has a name—Almira Gulch. Auntie Em is hardly the “thin and gaunt,” childless old woman whose eyes had lost their sparkle and were as gray as Kansas. She is an all-American original with a tongue and a personality to match. “Almira Gulch,” she says on hearing of Almira’s plan to destroy Toto, “just because you own half the county doesn't mean you have the power to run the rest of us!” Perhaps the biggest change is in Dorothy herself, who is actually a feistier child in the novel than on film. Consider the witch’s death. The film stages the event as an accident—Dorothy aims a bucket of water at the burning Scarecrow and douses the witch instead. But the novel makes it no accident. The witch tricks Dorothy and obtains one of her Silver Shoes. Dorothy gets “so very angry that she picked up the bucket of water that stood near and dashed it over the Witch.” Judy Garland’s Dorothy is tearfully apologetic; Baum’s is outspoken and “angry.”6

The screenwriters (Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson, and Edgar Allan Woolf) also expanded the roles of the three companions and turned the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Lion into metamorphosed versions of farmhands named Hunk, Hickory, and Zeke. Professor Marvel (Frank Morgan), the genial fraud who watches Dorothy head off as the tornado prepares to descend, reenters her dream vision as the Wizard (as well as, once in the City of Oz, the doorman of the Emerald City, a cabdriver, and the Wizard’s guard). These were more than touches of simple psychological realism. Like the technical stroke to shift to color from black and white when Dorothy arrives in Munchkin Land and the suddenly indispensable musical score, these permanent contributions to the Oz mythology are also improvisations that may not necessarily constitute improvements.7 They blur the clarity of the original, superimposing a second relational network on a clearer original. Dorothy and her companions each lack something and venture to the Emerald City to request it of the Wizard to find it, but in the novel neither the companions nor their deficiencies have reciprocal counterparts in the “real” world of Kansas. Oz is no Purgatory or compensatory educational experience, and it is definitely no metaphor for unconsciousness. Yet the film persuades the audience of a nearly allegorical symmetry between Kansas and Oz and raises unique questions. Is this Dorothy’s way of disclosing in dream truths too dangerous or painful to bear while awake? Are the three companions, like the three beasts who temporarily block Dante’s entrance to Hell, reflections of flaws in her personality? We don’t really know. The movie supplies teasing closures to questions that only it raises. The screenwriters’ brilliant adaptation—whether you find it welcome or not—turns each character into a symbolic referent, a point on a carefully plotted postcyclonic rainbow that begins and ends in Kansas. As a result, the film displaces emphasis from fantasy to psychology and makes several “unforgivable” changes.8 Whatever its justification in commercial or technical terms, the film forces its audience to measure the distance between Kansas and Oz in psychic, not imaginative, terms; it tidies up certain loose ends, such as the origins of the Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow, each of whose histories is explained in the book, by eliminating the need for explanations. Everything that occurs in the end occurs in Dorothy’s mind.

This is an essential point: Baum’s Oz, like the Elysian Fields in Greek mythology or the witch’s house in “Hansel and Gretel,” is a place you can get to from here. There is no complicated prospectus, more fit for adults than children, of dream projections of waking originals. The text has a serene confidence in its own imaginative conditions that, along with its disquietingly simple style, are its lasting strengths. For those raised on the movie, what is “missing” is surface complexity, density of characterization, and witty dialogue. Baum’s prose is clear and childlike and represents an uncompromising attention to plot rather than style, to events over character. It’s almost as if children’s literature had found in Baum its own Homer, a writer whose straightforward and occasionally pedestrian style is the determined outcome of the oddness of the story he has to tell. You may miss the character overlays of the film and its calculated verbal ironies, derivative of the more sophisticated children’s books. You may long for the closure you feel when you see Ray Bolger behind the Scarecrow’s outlines or hear the Wizard in Professor Marvel’s voice.9 On the other hand, the novel dispensed with Wonderland-ish exits such as Dorothy’s coming to at the end or the final tableau where the ensemble, including Professor Marvel, gathers around her bed like a Broadway cast taking a second bow. While the last person to consult in matters of intention is the author, it’s noteworthy that Baum’s stated purpose was to “please children of today” with “a modernized fairy tale, in which the wonderment and joy are retained and the heartaches and nightmares are left out.” Simplicity, in other words, was his goal, not stylistic flash or psychological nuance.

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Average Rating 4.5
( 763 )

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 766 Customer Reviews

  • Posted November 17, 2011

    I Also Recommend:

    2940013593725 2940013286504 2940013283060 2940012471901

    Eltanin Publishing version is the one to get

    I used to "buy" the free versions of all the classics, including the Wizard of Oz series. But the free versions don't have the illustrations. I didn't know what I was missing. But then I started looking at some of the Oz ebooks that do have the original illustrations. Some are terrible quality - only some of the images are included or they are really small or grainy. I'm so happy I stumbled upon Eltanin Publishing's series. They have done the first 4 books of the series so far. But something is wrong with the reviews - my reviews and others are showing up under other versions of the books. So make sure you find the Eltanin Publishing versions. They have ALL the images and they look great. I just search on "Eltanin Publishing" to find them.

    13 out of 15 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 19, 2007

    Allegory Makes for a Good Story

    I have always loved the Wizard of Oz, it was probably the first live action film I ever saw and has greatly affected my life, fostering my love of musicals into something more than Disney ever could. I thought it was the greatest thing ever. Then I read the book when I was seven, I had just discovered it in my Grandfather's attic, and I decided that the book was by far superior. The story was longer, there was backstory, and it didn't have the weak, 'It was all a dream' ending, which I had always found disappointing. My love of the book was reaffirmed last year in my U. S. History class when the allegory of the novel was discussed in a featured essay, relating it to the argument between the gold and silver standard of the late 1800s. I highly recommend this book to anyone, but especially children with imaginations that need space to grow.

    8 out of 10 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 6, 2004

    Bringing Back a Childhood Classic

    Since I was a child, my favorite movie has always been The Wizard of Oz. I can remember having the entire collection of plastic Oz characters, a Wizard of Oz lunch box, sleeping bag, and of course the famous back pack. I dressed up as Dorothy at least twice for Halloween and forced my dog along the way acting as Toto. But something I had never realized was that I never read the book. Recently comming across the opportunity to do so, I find the book just as amazing as the movie--if not better. Although I couldn't seem to get the image of Judy Garland out of my mind, I found that Dorothy is more adventureous than ever in Baum's novel. By reading The Wizard of Oz readers find out that the Land of Oz is even more fantastic than portrayed in the film version. Dorothy and company befriend a Queen of Mice, a China Princess, and even the King of the Flying Monkeys. Reading Baum's novel made me realize the wonders of being a child and visioning the fantastic voyage of Dorothy; however, the novel also made me realize that The Wizard of Oz is not only for children, but for adults as well. Reading this novel gives adults a chace to escape from the chaos of everyday life and enter a world full of wonder and excitement (not to mention the chance to revisit childhood). Baum's novel reminds us the of meaning of friendship, courage, love, and most of all that 'there is no place like home.' I recommend readers of all ages to revisit this timeless classic and enter into the Wonderful World of Oz.

    5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 21, 2005

    A Book Better Than the Movie

    The Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum, receives four out of five stars from me. This book receives four out of five stars from me because it is a wonderful children¿s classic that has survived for a very long time. It broadens the imaginations and extents the mind of its readers. I take away the fourth star because in the book, the tin man chops off the animals¿ heads. I think this matter could be handles in a different, more mature way. This book (in all other ways) is very child friendly and does not talk about blood and gore as other books would. The child¿s imagination will run wild with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Toto, and all of their friends as they venture down the Yellow Brick Road to Emerald City to see the Wizard of Oz, the greatest wizard of all time. Will the strange group of friends receive their greatest desires? Or will they be sent home disappointed? I think this book is better than the movie because the movie leaves out some interesting but yet important parts. Like when the unfortunate group falls under the curse of the Poppy Field, the Queen of the Field Mice carries them to safety. She also helps them at many other parts of the adventure. This was a page turner for me and I would recommend it to all my friends.

    4 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 16, 2011

    Wonderful!!

    After reading The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, I was completely pleasantly surprised. I have seen the movie more times than I can count and have performed the play more than once so I am extremely familiar with the story. I was very sure there was no way the story of the Wizard of Oz could re-spark my interest but I was wrong. In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Baum's writing is very simple making it accessible to all age groups. After realizing this, I understood how the book became such a classic. The simplistic writing didn't take away from the story at all, though. I found that the plot of Dorothy traveling through Oz, trying to return to Kansas, was far more intricate than in the film adaptation. The story was much more fantasy based, as well. The whimsical details created a story so magical I couldn't help but be pulled in. The story also spoke to a message about personal potential, a theme I had not connected to before while watching the movie. Throughout the novel, there are many instances of the scarecrow, lion, and tin man acting contradictorily to what their supposed problem is. For example, the lion acts against his fear and protects the rest of the characters while in the woods. This courageous act proves that the lion and all of the characters do not need the help of Oz and was capable all along. This is reinforced when Oz gives them gifts that have no real effect at the end of the book. This lesson of personal potential is a great one for kids to learn and in general, is an uplifting message for all. All in all, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a classic for a reason; it tells a wonderful, captivating story that speaks to all ages and people.

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted June 5, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    9780066238500 9780061124952 9780743277709

    A Great Lifetime Book

    The Wizard of Oz is a book I call a 'lifetime' book. I call it this because no matter what age you are you can take something from it. It is a great book for children of any age. We all know the story of this book based on the movie, but the book if quite a bit different. I like it more because it is more fantasy based. A lot of people have said the book is violent, but it's really not. Nothing is graphic or more violent than anything in the movie. The Wizard of Oz doesn't need a long review. It has such a legacy for a reason! Pick this up and read it, whatever age you are. Also, it is a very fast read.

    3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted November 13, 2008

    I Also Recommend:

    9781435110304 9780060548926

    Wonderful

    I have seen the original movie, the Sci-fi channel sequel and the 80's anime cartoons but never actually read the book. After reading Wicked, Son of a witch and a Lion among men I wanted to read a little more about the original work that these stories were based on. I took my time in purchasing the right copy for me because there are many version of this story and I wanted to get the closest thing to the original. I was so pleased when I found this version and when I sat home and read it I was even more pleased to find that for a "child's" book it was actually gripping. The illustrations are also wonderfully done and they help to visualize the story very effectively.

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 9, 2011

    Its worth reading, the story as it was originally writen

    I grew up with hollywood's version on the TV and I love it to this day. SO I wanted to read the book. Usually I feel the book is much better then the movie, but not in this case. Dorothy's journey is alot longer and alot more different people she meets becomes lengthy and the reader becomes disallusioned with the plot. The name on the cover is where the book and hollywood separate. But I am glad I read it after I read about the author and why he wrote the story.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted February 28, 2011

    Amazing classic book!!

    The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a classic tale. A very well written piece. This book lies the true deatails of Dorathy's adventures in these odd countries that the movie does not. A MUST READ!!!!!

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted July 25, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    More PG-13 but an enjoyable read

    With the chopping heads off by the Tin Woodman and the winged monkeys ripping off the Scarecrow, I think this "children's classic" is PG-13. But seriously, I loved reading this book because the adventure never ends. Each chapter flows into each other. A great read.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted June 22, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I enjoyed it as an adult!

    Although I watched the movie as a child I didn't realize how different the book was! Now, as a 30 year old, I enjoyed the book so much that I now want to go re-watch the movie again! Even though the story differs the twists and turns and different storyline kept me going for two days. I even snuck my nook into work and read because I was so deeply into the story! Maybe it was reading a childhood favorite or maybe it was just to see what would be so different, I don't know, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. And come on, $1.99 ebook? It's a great price. My only gripe is that some words were missing the first letter, but overall it didn't bother me that much.

    Read it, you'll enjoy it all over again!

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 14, 2008

    Awesome book!!

    The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum is an exciting fantasy book. At some times it left me on the edge of my seat. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is mostly about the obstacles Dorothy endures to get back to Kansas to see her Aunt Em. I think the reason L. Frank Baum wrote this book was to show that Dorothy would do anything to see the people she loves. Things happen for a purpose, and if they didn¿t, you could miss out on a journey of a lifetime. In this riveting book there are various settings. In the beginning of the book Dorothy is in Kansas, living with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. When L. Frank Baum describes it, Kansas seems like a very dry and boring place to live. That lead me to think Dorothy really loves her Aunt and Uncle, because she doesn¿t care where she lived, as long as she¿s with them. After a terrible tornado that sends their house spinning in the air, Dorothy was in Munchkin Land. She meet three small munchkins. The good witch of Munchkin Land tells her the Great Oz of Emerald City may be able to help her get back to wherever she¿s from. Dorothy makes her way down the yellow brick road. Surprisingly, a scarecrow talks to her. Dorothy invites him to go on the journey with her and her little dog, Toto. The scarecrow is in search of brains, and thinks that without brains he is miniscule in his society and only exists to scare pesky crows. As Dorothy, Toto and scarecrow continue down the road they see a rusty Tin Man holding an ax in midair as if frozen. After some mumbling, Dorothy grabs an oil can and lubricates it¿s limbs until it can move again. The Tin Man says he would like a heart because he is made of tin. As they carry on with their pursuit to see the Wizard of Oz, a monstrous lion tries to hurt little Toto. This is because he is a coward and scares innocent creatures to make himself look tough. The lion is in search of bravery. Dorothy then invites him to go with them to the land of Oz. All of them in need of something from the Great Oz, they start their journey. They undergo many obstacles on their journey to the great and wonderful Oz, but somehow got through by using the materials they have. `¿How shall we cross the river?¿ asked Dorothy. ¿That is easily done,¿ replied the Scarecrow. ¿The Tin Woodman must build us a raft, so we can float to the other side.¿¿ This shows each of the characters has something special in their group that will help them get through rough patches. Each of the characters pitch in. I think the description of the settings were very helpful when I was trying to create a mental picture of the scenario. ¿To their great joy the trees became thinner the further they advanced, and in the afternoon they suddenly came upon a broad river, flowing swiftly just before them. On the other side of the water they could see the road of yellow brick running through a beautiful country, with green meadows dotted with bright flowers and all the road bordered with trees hanging full of delicious fruits.¿ The paragraph above just demonstrated the sort of details of setting, which is scattered throughout the book. When Dorothy, scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion and little Toto get the The Emerald City of Oz, they each have to go in on different days. Although Oz tells them all the same thing. What is it? Well you¿re going to have to read the book to find out! I think that the book was very violent, more violent than I was expecting. For example: there were a lot of beheadings due to the Tin Man. That¿s sending a message to children that to solve problems, they can hurt things and the problem is solved....no problem. Children don¿t realize there are consequences to their actions. Although I don¿t like comparing books to movies, the movie is so much different from the book. The movie just has the story outline but not the juicy and exciting parts. There was so much more in the book than the movie. I was so glad I read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz because I never had known what actually ha

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 15, 2001

    We're Off to Read the Wizard!

    Can you imagine that during World War II, two Australian brigades in North Africa actually marched into battle singing, 'We're off to see the Wizard/The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'? This just goes to show the appeal The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has, not only to children, but also to those special adults young in spirit. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a fantasy written by L. Frank Baum. It tells the story of Dorothy, a young farm girl from Kansas who is carried away by a cyclone to a strange land called Oz. In order to return home, she must travel to its capital, Emerald City, and ask the assistance of the Wizard of Oz. On her journey along the Yellow Brick Road, she meets three companions, a tin woodman, a talking scarecrow, and a cowardly lion with whom she has a series of adventures. Each has their own quest and individual wishes to fulfill. Upon reaching the Emerald City, Oz promises to fulfill their wishes if one of them first kills the Wicked Witch of the West. In my opinion, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz teaches, in a most entertaining way, a valuable lesson to all its readers - look no further for happiness than within yourself. Obviously, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a book worth reading. In addition to its entertainment value, it also inspires its readers to be happy with what they already possess. The characters in the story, Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion desperately desired things that they thought would make them happy, when in reality, they already possessed those things. True happiness has to come from within and the search for happiness should always begin there. This a valuable lesson for us all.

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 2, 2011

    Gracie m

    Best book ever!!!

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted January 2, 2011

    The WONDERFUL wizard of oz

    this book was way better than the movie!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 20, 2010

    Thrilling Adventure!

    This novel has some positive aspects. One of the positives is the interesting characters. I liked how Frank made interesting characters like the tin woodman to make the story very captivating. I also liked how the book wasn't predictable. The author always had a surprise, like the ending I also liked characters' relationship. I liked this because the four main characters were nothing alike except for the fact that they all wanted something from Oz. This journey brought them closer together. This book also had some flaws. Something that I didn't like was that the author didn't explain some of the events clearly and it took a while to understand what was happening. I also didn't like how he didn't put enough detail in some parts. For example, when Dorothy was going to the Witch of the South, the author had her face obstacles, but, the author didn't explain them enough. I also didn't like how when the book should have ended, it kept on going until it got plain boring. By the time that Dorothy reached the Witch of the South, all of the creatures seemed fine where they were and if Dorothy had left with Oz, it would have been a good ending. Those are some positives and negatives of the novel, The Wizard of Oz.
    There are many writing styles used in this book. One is that this book was written in third person. The author tells the story instead of one of the characters. This story is fantasy. It involves going to another world that is highly unrealistic and could never happen. But, it has a good fantasy charm to it. The writing style is a very clear fantasy. I could know what everything looked like and everything was explained perfectly. Those are some writing styles used in this novel.
    I highly recommend this novel. One reason is because it is a great adventure. Also, it's not just made for children or adults, anyone will like it. Also some parts are very humorous which will keep people reading. Some similar novels are, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Treasure Island. Three other books that I like are The Clique series, Twilight saga, and Walk Two Moons. Walk Two Moons is my personal favorite book of all time and it is a great mystery for everyone. The Clique is a great book for pre-teens because these girls face similar situations as pre-teens face. The Twilight saga is a great romantic adventure that takes into the world of vampires to a new level.

    1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 28, 2001

    Wonderful Indeed!

    The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a classic fairytale which helps you escape from the stress and trouble of reality. This book tells the story of Dorothy, who is carried away from her aunt and uncle in Kansas by a cyclone and thrown into the magical world of Oz, along with her dog Toto. The adventure and magic begin as soon as Dorothy arrives. For she is greeted by the munchkins and a good witch, only to find that she has killed a wicked witch and gains possession of her silver shoes, which the munchkins say have an unknown charm to them. Before sending them off Dorothy receives a kiss from the good witch and is then sent on a journey along the Yellow Brick Road to see the great wizard in the Emerald City. Fortunately, Dorothy and Toto are not alone on their journey. Along the way they gain companions who also wish to see the wizard. There is the scarecrow- he wants a brain, the tin woodsman- who wants a heart, and the cowardly lion- who wants some courage. Together they continue their adventures and face many strange things and impediments. Using their strengths they are able to pass most of the challenges both quickly and easily. Just when you think the story has come to its end, Baum ingeniously puts a spin on the story when they go into the Emerald City. The companions discover a terrible truth about the wizard which leads them into additional escapades and formidable tasks which set them back from reaching their goal. These struggles include wicked witches, flying monkeys, trees that attack when you go to near and many other bizarre creatures. Aside from the troubles that arise the companions meet many nice creatures and make many friends, such as the Winkies and the people of Emerald City. However, there is more to this story than just strange creatures and adventure. There are many hidden themes in the story including the importance of self- esteem and self- reliance. The themes are concealed behind the brain, heart and courage that the scarecrow, tin woodsman, and lion seek, but obviously already possess. Even Dorothy finds that she has to rely on herself to find her way home. Through this exciting adventure you may find yourself lost in the magical world of Oz. This enchanting story unmistakably has universal appeal which makes it a true classic. Baum did a wonderful job of creating such an imaginative book that leaves you wanting more.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 21, 2012

    Amazing

    This is a amazing book for kids all ages including adults a great fantasy with munchkins and the wizard and more people will love this book and have it for generations because its a book people will be amazed by tgats why i recommad it fpr people like You! :)

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 2, 2012

    My Review!;)

    Yeah its an okay book but anyway for just my opinion i think the movie is much better;). But like anyway its just my opinion but for all of you qho hasnt read it. Please enjoy it while you can. ~ Katie Andrews, Hamlet Middle School<3 ;]

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 1, 2012

    Great book

    Its a little young, but its a great book, with quite a large amount of humor. This version had a few typos and errors, but overall, it was very good. -The Homeschool Ballerina

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