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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum read free book

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum is a classic American children’s novel about adventure, friendship, and self-discovery.
Dorothy, a girl from Kansas, is swept away by a cyclone with her dog Toto and lands in the magical Land of Oz. Her house accidentally kills the Wicked Witch of the East, and Dorothy receives the witch’s silver shoes (ruby slippers in the film). Wishing to return home, she is told to travel to the Emerald City and ask the powerful Wizard of Oz for help.
On her journey along the Yellow Brick Road, she meets:

•  the Scarecrow, who wants a brain
•  the Tin Woodman, who wants a heart
•  the Cowardly Lion, who wants courage

They all believe the Wizard can give them what they lack. After reaching the Emerald City, the Wizard promises to help them if they first defeat the Wicked Witch of the West. Working together, they ultimately succeed; Dorothy accidentally melts the witch with water.
The Wizard is revealed not to be magical, but a normal man from Omaha who arrived in Oz by hot-air balloon. Despite this, the friends discover that they already possessed what they believed they lacked:

•  the Scarecrow shows intelligence
• the Tin Woodman shows compassion
• the Lion acts bravely

In the end, Dorothy is helped by Glinda, the Good Witch, who explains that the silver shoes have always had the power to take her home. Dorothy clicks her heels together, wishes to return to Kansas, and wakes up back with Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, realizing “there’s no place like home.”

About the author

Lyman Frank Baum (1856–1919) was an American author best known for creating the Oz series. He wrote children’s literature, fantasy novels, poems, and plays. Baum originally worked in various jobs, including journalist, actor, and shop owner, before becoming a full-time writer.

In 1900, he published The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which became an immediate success and a classic of children’s literature. Baum went on to write 13 more Oz books, expanding the magical world and its characters. His stories are known for imagination, humor, and strong, independent child heroes.

Baum spent his later years in California, where he continued writing until his death in 1919. He is remembered as one of the founders of modern American fantasy for children.

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