
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the stress of big family transitions, such as moving to a new home or seeing parents worry about money. In this sixth installment of the Oz series, Dorothy finally brings Aunt Em and Uncle Henry to the Emerald City to escape their financial hardships in Kansas. It is a story that validates a child's desire to protect their family while introducing them to a world where imagination and kindness solve the hardest problems. While the plot involves a looming invasion by the Nome King, the heart of the story is about belonging and the joy of sharing one's world with loved ones. It is perfectly suited for middle-grade readers who enjoy expansive fantasy but need the grounding comfort of strong family bonds. Parents will appreciate the book's gentle approach to heavy topics like debt and displacement, wrapped in the whimsical, creative landscapes of Oz.














Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThe opening focuses on the family's loss of their farm and financial struggle.
The Nome King's allies, like the Whimsies and Growleywogs, are meant to be frightening.
The book deals with financial ruin and the loss of a family home in a direct but age-appropriate way. The solution is fantastical (moving to a magic land), but the emotional weight of the adults' stress is realistic. The threat of war is present but handled through cleverness rather than graphic violence.
A 9-year-old who feels the weight of adult problems, like a family move or financial stress, and needs a story where a child is the one who provides the solution and the sanctuary.
Read the chapters involving the 'Rigmaroles' and 'Flutterbudgets' together. These are satirical takes on social behavior that are fun to discuss but might need a little context for younger readers. A parent might see their child hovering nearby while bills are being discussed or notice the child acting out because they are afraid of an upcoming move.
Younger children will focus on the bizarre creatures Dorothy meets, while older readers will appreciate the clever meta-narrative where Baum uses letters from his real-life fans to shape the plot.
This is the 'retirement' of the Kansas life. It's unique because it merges the gritty reality of the American Midwest with the high fantasy of Oz, ultimately choosing the magical world as a permanent refuge.
Dorothy Gale, realizing her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry are losing their farm in Kansas, convinces Princess Ozma to let them live in Oz. While Dorothy shows her family the wonders of the magical land, the Nome King recruits a terrifying army of allies to tunnel under the desert and conquer the Emerald City.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.