Merry Go Round in Oz

Merry Go Round in Oz is the fortieth and final book in the Official Oz series, published in 1963. Written by Eloise Jarvis McGraw and her daughter Lauren McGraw Wagner, this novel marks the conclusion of the "Famous Forty" Oz books. The story centers on Fess, a pageboy from the Land of Troth who serves in the neighboring kingdom of Halidom. In Halidom, three magical golden circlets worn by the ruler bestow special abilities upon all citizens, but two have been lost and one has been stolen. Fess and Prince Gules embark on a quest to recover the three circlets, accompanied by unusual companions including a unicorn and a winged mouse. Their journey takes them through various regions of Oz as they attempt to restore Halidom to its former state. This final entry in the Oz series explores themes of loyalty, citizenship, and the relationship between rulers and their subjects. The novel's medieval-inspired setting within Oz creates an interesting commentary on power and responsibility.

Readers consider this one of the better later Oz books. Reviews note it maintains continuity with earlier works while introducing original characters and scenarios. Readers liked: - Complex character development - Fresh storyline that doesn't rehash familiar plot devices - Inclusion of classic Oz elements while bringing new ideas - Quality illustrations by Robin McGraw - Deeper themes about personal growth Common criticisms: - Slower pacing in middle sections - Some found the new characters less memorable than classic Oz figures - A few readers felt it lacked the whimsy of Baum's originals Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (156 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) "The perfect finale to the Famous Forty," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. Another noted: "It honors the spirit of Oz while taking risks with new directions." The International Wizard of Oz Club members frequently rank it among the top 5 non-Baum Oz books.

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🎠 The "Famous Forty" Oz books spanned 57 years, from Baum's first book in 1906 to Merry Go Round in Oz in 1963. 🎠 Eloise Jarvis McGraw wrote three Oz books in total, collaborating with her daughter Lauren McGraw Wagner on each one. 🎠 The book's medieval theme was unique among Oz stories, reflecting McGraw's personal interest in historical fiction, which she explored in many of her other works. 🎠 McGraw was already an established children's author before writing for the Oz series, having won three Newbery Honor awards for her non-Oz books. 🎠 The winged mouse character "Flitter" was inspired by a similar character in McGraw's earlier book "The Forbidden Palace," showing how she bridged her previous work with the Oz universe.