The Emerald Wand of Oz

This first of a projected series of Oz books serves as an excellent introduction to young readers who have probably seen the 1939 film, and possibly knew that L. Frank Baum wrote a book about Oz, but have no idea that other Oz books exist. The opening begins in Oz, introducing two strong female characters, one familiar from the movie (Glinda) and one not (Ozma)--and then shifts to two sisters in Lawrence, Kansas, one of whom loves the Oz books, and the other who thinks fantasy is babyish. The girls' relationship is further strained by the imminent separation of their parents--a situation to which far too many children nowdays can relate. But that is kept firmly in the background as the girls are swept via tornado (familiar from both movie and first book) to Oz, and then have to adjust, each in her own way. The pacing through the earlier sections is leisurely, introducing concepts slowly. Even third grade readers should be able to pick up clues about the world of Oz. One the girls meet the mysterious Rik, the pacing accelerates, and includes more of the famous Oz characters from Baum's books. They must overcome the niece of the Wicked Witch at her castle, which is full of scary and funny boobytraps. Accessible to younger readers, and appealing to older reluctant readers, this book is recommended for school libraries. Perhaps it will spark a renewal of interest in the original Oz books, which are sadly neglected in library choices these days.

email: [email protected] Lately, there have been new Oz books exploring darker and more adult themes, especially "Wicked". Now, this book is more along the lines of the traditional Oz books, with fewer introtructions to weird characters, and a more strongly felt sense that Oz could be in real danger. A new Wicked Witch is introduced, one who is not so old and ugly, but is just as allergic to water. She has to be defeated by two new characters from the real world, who are said to be related to Dorothy. I liked how the the author uses the theme of fantasy as metaphor for the imagination, a motif explored by several traditional fantasy writers. Especially given the name of the unbelieving aunt, it seems as if the author has read Narnia, and so Narnia fans will suspect that this is another Susan story. Since the elder of the two sisters thinks like her aunt and disbelieves, she has to learn to appreciate the value of the imagination. In the beginning, she closes her mind to the evidence that the animals can really talk, and therefore hears only animal noises. By the end, she has grown to care as much about Oz as her younger sister. One of the problems that plagued most of the traditional Oz was the lack of a coherent imaginary world whose facts were consistently explained, an area in which the British authors tend to accel, and in which the Oz authors are usually lacking. Unfortunately, the author does not do any better than the first two Oz books. Like Baum, she will leave the reader wondering how a witch with very little power compared to Glinda and the Wizard could conceive a treacherous plot and so easily pull it off. One would think that when an ambitious young teenage girl with a green wand approaches the throne, Ozma would suspect something. And then when she next attacks Glinda's palace, one would expect her to put up her defenses. Instead, with scant explanation of what has gone on before, the reader is left amused with an Oz in which not only its inhabitants have lost their wits, but so have their leaders. But perhaps after having experienced Katrina and being reminded that even in the real world, leaders are not always their sharpest, we can all relate.

The magic of the Oz books seems to appeal to every generation. Many writers have continued the stories, and now Sherwood Smith can be added proudly to the list. This is a fun little story about two sisters, Em and Dori, who are direct descendants of the original Dorothy Gale. Em is the practical one and concerned with much more grown-up things than Dori. Dori believes in everything to do with Oz and has a special snow globe that is supposed to have come from Dorothy. The girls are feeling sad and upset because their parents have separated. Then one day, in the middle of a quarrel, a tornado sweeps through. The first thing you know, Em and Dori have arrived at Oz! In Oz they find themselves in the middle of a group of beautiful unicorns who actually hold beauty contests and enjoy having themselves groomed. While this is all very interesting, the sisters become aware that they must make their way to the Emerald City and have princess Ozma send them back home. After they help a strange boy named Rik escape from the unicorns, he agrees to help get them to Ozma. Unknown to Em and Dori, Rik is a prince and is actually a gnome, which all goes into making this an even wilder adventure. When the magic snow globe shows the sisters that the Emerald City seems to be under some kind of spell, they are even more cautious as they approach. And indeed, Bastinda --- a young witch descended directly from the evil Wicked Witch of the West --- has succeeded in putting Ozma and the Emerald City under her spell. She eventually wants all of Oz to be under her control and will stop at nothing. Those two little girls and the weird boy with them most definitely do not frighten her. She, however, does underestimate their cleverness as they learn about and eventually switch green wands on Bastinda. A couple of little girls from Kansas are just as clever as their Aunt Dorothy! Em and Dori have happily encountered some of the more famous of the Oz folk, such as Scraps, The Scrapwork Girl, the Scarecrow and the beautiful (but conceited) Glass Cat. Together they will help bring about the downfall of Bastinda and restore Princess Ozma as leader of the Emerald City. There is a lot to be accomplished if they want Ozma to help them back home! And once they return home, will their parents get back together? Sherwood Smith has done a fine job reviving some of the older beloved characters and updating the Oz stories. The beautiful cover of the book carries The L. Frank Baum Family Trust official seal. The famous Oz illustrator and "historian," John R. Neill, is the direct inspiration for the outstanding illustrations by artist William Stout. New readers are sure to be enchanted by this entire package. And for those familiar with the other books, a fresh adventure awaits. --- Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts

This first of a projected series of Oz books serves as an excellent introduction to young readers who have probably seen the 1939 film, and possibly knew that L. Frank Baum wrote a book about Oz, but have no idea that other Oz books exist. The opening begins in Oz, introducing two strong female characters, one familiar from the movie (Glinda) and one not (Ozma)--and then shifts to two sisters in Lawrence, Kansas, one of whom loves the Oz books, and the other who thinks fantasy is babyish. The girls' relationship is further strained by the imminent separation of their parents--a situation to which far too many children nowdays can relate. But that is kept firmly in the background as the girls are swept via tornado (familiar from both movie and first book) to Oz, and then have to adjust, each in her own way. The pacing through the earlier sections is leisurely, introducing concepts slowly. Even third grade readers should be able to pick up clues about the world of Oz. My sixth grade daughter, who loves horses, liked the beginning, though my older daughter wanted to skim as did I. One the girls meet the mysterious Rik, the pacing accelerates, and includes more of the famous Oz characters from Baum's books. They must overcome the niece of the Wicked Witch, at her castle, which is full of scary and funny boobytraps. Accessible to younger readers, and appealing to older reluctant readers, this book is recommended for school libraries. Perhaps it will spark a renewal of interest in the original Oz books, which are sadly neglected in library choices these days.

As a long-time fan of L. Frank Baum's Oz books, I'm generally suspicious of newer books by other authors set in his world; I'm not even a big fan of Ruth Plumly Thompson, his immediate successor. However, I liked Sherwood Smith's _Crown Duel_ enough that I thought it would be worth giving her Oz book a try -- and I loved it. Smith's heroines are Em and Dori, who live in Kansas and are reputedly related to the famous Dorothy Gale, who first visited Oz in _The Wonderful Wizard of Oz_. When a tornado strikes their house, they're suddenly whisked away -- just like Dorothy -- to the land of Oz. Dori, who's loved Oz all her life, is thrilled, but the more practical Em can hardly believe it. Soon, they're pulled into a quest to save Princess Ozma and Glinda the Oz from a wicked enchantment that's been laid on them. Smith succeeds in bringing a more modern sensibility to her characters and a genuine sense of threat to the plot without dimming the charm and wonder of Oz. Em and Dori have family problems - their parents are separated - and Smith treats these realistically, with sympathy for the girls and for the adults. The threat to Ozma and Glinda and their country is vivid (particularly when a mysterious, frightening cloud shows up repeatedly), yet the country itself is every bit as inventive as Baum's, with pretty but vain unicorns, poppycocks (little scarlet birds which turn into flowers), and all manner of other Ozzy details. Smith handles Baum's characters nicely, too, particularly the dizzy Patchwork Girl. This is apparently the first in a series of four connected Oz novels Smith is writing. I'll happily read all of the others and am looking forward to them very much, particularly as _The Emerald Wand of Oz_ closes with some intriguing unanswered questions.