Stand Alone Fantasy Titles, August 2012

Most people recognize The Wizard of Oz from the 1939 film but the book by L. Frank Baum is a genuine treasure in its own right, and with enough differences from the film to make it worth picking up. Included in the Stand Alone Fantasy Novels despite the lengthy series that follows for the simple fact that Baum never intended to craft a full series, doing so only under the pressure of intense public demand. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is, of course, the glorious adventure tale of Dorothy and her team of flawed heroes -- Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion -- and their quest to defeat the Wicked Witch and earn long-desired rewards. Do not be put off by the fact that this is classified as a children's book. Baum weaves a magical tale for all ages and along the way he teaches that the things you thought you were missing you really had all along.