The Wizard of Oz

Gr 3–6—A contemporary update of a well-known tale. Dorothy is taken from her Kansas farm by a violent twister, ending up in the magical world of Oz. A hero for inadvertently squashing the Wicked Witch of the East, she sets out to meet the Wizard, who she hopes will help her find her way home. Along the way, she picks up a scarecrow without a brain, a tin woodsman lacking a heart, and a lion in need of courage. The group must contend with the Wicked Witch of the West in order to complete their journey, and for Dorothy to find her way home. The text is brief and full of modern touches not present in the source material. Dialogue is snappy, with a liberal use of humor and wisecracks. The animationlike artwork is full of movement and highly stylized, sometimes making it hard to decipher. There is a cinematic feel that will appeal to young readers. While devoted fans of the original might cry heresy, this updated classic should find a different, and more welcoming, reception from kids.—Travis Jonker, Wayland Union Schools, MI