The Emerald Wand of Oz

Two sisters named Em and Dory discover they are related to the legendary Dorothy Gale of Oz. When they find themselves transported to the magical land of Oz, they encounter a new threat in the form of Bastinda, a witch who claims to be the next Wicked Witch of the West. The girls must navigate through Oz's enchanted landscapes and meet both familiar characters and new companions. Their quest involves finding and understanding the powers of an emerald wand while protecting Oz's citizens from Bastinda's growing menace. This 2005 novel by Sherwood Smith is the first of three books commissioned by the Baum Family Trust to continue L. Frank Baum's beloved series. The story introduces fresh perspectives on the classic Oz mythology while maintaining connections to the original tales. The novel explores themes of family legacy, courage in the face of uncertainty, and the responsibility that comes with wielding power. It stands as both an homage to Baum's work and an expansion of the Oz universe for a new generation of readers.

Readers describe this as a lighter Oz adventure that stays faithful to Baum's world while bringing in modern elements. The book has a small but positive reception among Oz fans and young readers. Likes: - Captures the whimsical tone of the original series - Two relatable main characters - References to classic Oz characters and locations - Age-appropriate for young readers (8-12) Dislikes: - Plot moves slowly in places - Some find it less engaging than Baum's books - A few readers note it feels "safe" compared to other Oz sequels Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (136 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (15 reviews) "A gentle introduction to Oz for modern kids," notes one Amazon reviewer. Another Goodreads reader comments it "lacks the magic of the originals but provides a fun story for young fantasy fans." Several reviews mention it works well as a read-aloud book for families.

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer Two siblings fall into a magical book and encounter fairy tale characters while searching for items to help them return home.

The Castle Behind Thorns by Merrie Haskell A thirteen-year-old blacksmith's apprentice wakes up in an abandoned castle and must break an ancient curse to escape.

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander An assistant pig keeper leaves his home to become a hero in a fantasy realm inspired by Welsh mythology.

The House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones A girl inherits a magical house connected to different worlds and times while serving as caretaker for a royal wizard.

Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst The daughter of Rapunzel works to contain fairy tale magic that threatens to take over her modern world.

🌟 Sherwood Smith has authored over 40 books across various genres, from fantasy to space opera, making her a versatile voice in speculative fiction. 🌟 The Baum Family Trust carefully selects authors to continue L. Frank Baum's legacy, with only a handful of writers receiving official authorization to expand the Oz universe. 🌟 L. Frank Baum's original Oz series consisted of 14 books, published between 1900 and 1920, creating a rich foundation for future authors to build upon. 🌟 The name "Dorothy Gale" was inspired by a real baby named Dorothy Gage, who was L. Frank Baum's niece-in-law and died in infancy. 🌟 The concept of Oz has inspired over 50 official sequel novels by various authors, making it one of the longest-running fantasy series in literary history.