Speedy in Oz

Speedy in Oz is the twenty-eighth book in the Oz series and the fourteenth written by Ruth Plumly Thompson. The story introduces Umbrella Island, a floating landmass powered by a giant umbrella that provides both lift and protection for its inhabitants. The plot centers on Speedy, a returning character from The Yellow Knight of Oz, and Princess Gureeda of Umbrella Island. Their paths intersect when Speedy arrives on the floating island accompanied by Terrybubble, a reanimated dinosaur skeleton. The narrative involves a conflict with a giant named Loxo, who demands Princess Gureeda as payment for damages after the flying island collides with his head. The story maintains the Oz series' tradition of combining fantasy elements with themes of friendship and adventure. Thompson creates a self-contained tale that operates largely outside the established Oz framework, introducing new characters and locations to expand the series' world.

Readers rate Speedy in Oz as a middle-tier Oz book with an engaging plot but less memorable characters compared to other entries in the series. The book holds a 3.84/5 rating on Goodreads from 178 ratings. What readers liked: - Fast-paced adventure - Creative new locations and creatures - Clear, straightforward writing style - Comedic moments with Umbrella Island residents What readers disliked: - Title character Speedy lacks depth - Too many plot conveniences - Less interaction with familiar Oz characters - Some found the ending rushed Several reviewers note Thompson's world-building skills but criticize the protagonist. As one Goodreads reviewer writes: "Speedy himself is rather bland compared to Dorothy or Trot." Amazon reviews (3.9/5 from 12 ratings) mention the book works better as part of the series rather than a standalone story. Multiple readers point out the similarities to Thompson's other Oz books in terms of story structure and character types.

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The House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones A girl discovers a house with magic doors that lead to different times and places while caring for a wizard's estate.

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander An assistant pig keeper embarks on a quest through a land based on Welsh mythology to stop an evil force from conquering his homeland.

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🌈 Thompson was the second Royal Historian of Oz, writing 19 official Oz books after L. Frank Baum's death, more than any other author in the series. 🦕 The character Terrybubble was one of the first dinosaur characters in children's literature, predating many famous dino-themed stories by decades. ☂️ Umbrella Island was inspired by various floating city concepts in literature, including Jonathan Swift's Laputa from Gulliver's Travels. 👑 This was Thompson's 28th book overall and her 14th Oz book, published in 1934 during the height of the Great Depression. 🎨 The book's original illustrations were done by John R. Neill, who illustrated 35 Oz books in total, creating the iconic look of the series beyond Baum's original vision.