Dorothy Must Die

Reach for this book when your teen is beginning to question the simplistic narratives of good versus evil and shows an interest in deconstructing power structures. This gritty reimagining follows Amy Gumm, a girl from Kansas who is whisked away to an Oz that has been corrupted by a tyrannical Dorothy Gale. It is a story about finding one's voice in a world that feels rigged and discovering that heroes and villains are often two sides of the same coin. While the setting is familiar, the tone is dark and sophisticated. It tackles themes of independence, the corrupting nature of power, and the necessity of standing up for oneself even when the odds are stacked against you. It is ideal for mature teens who appreciate dystopian fiction and are ready for a more cynical, action packed take on classic fairy tales. Parents can use this to discuss how absolute power changes people and the importance of critical thinking in the face of authority.