The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
by L. Frank Baum (1900)
24 chapters · 24 chapter quizzes · 871 vocabulary words
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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a beloved fairy tale about a young girl named Dorothy who lives on a quiet, gray farm in Kansas with her aunt, her uncle, and her little dog. One day a powerful storm sweeps across the prairie and carries Dorothy far away to a strange and colorful land she has never seen before. This new place is full of magic, unusual people, and adventures around every corner. More than anything, Dorothy wants to find her way back home. To do that, she sets off on a long journey to find a mysterious and powerful wizard who is said to be able to grant wishes. Along the road she meets some very unusual new friends, and together they face challenges, help one another, and discover what they are really made of. This story is a classic adventure about friendship, bravery, and the meaning of home. As you read, you will travel with Dorothy down a winding road, meet magical characters, and wonder along with her whether the great wizard can truly help her get back to the family she loves.
This book is a wonderful first chapter-book adventure for young readers because it mixes exciting events with warm, gentle lessons about kindness and courage. Its characters are easy to love and easy to remember, and each one is looking for something they think they are missing, which gives young readers a lot to talk and think about. Reading it helps children build their imagination, grow their vocabulary, and enjoy the fun of following one big story from beginning to end.
Pre-Reading Discussion Questions
- What does the word 'home' mean to you, and what makes a place feel like home?
- Have you ever seen a big storm? How did it make you feel?
- If you could travel to a magical land, what would you hope to see there?
- What does it mean to be brave? Can someone feel scared and be brave at the same time?
- Who are the friends you would most want with you on a big adventure, and why?
- If a wizard could grant you one wish, what would you ask for?
Themes & Big Ideas to Track
- Notice how friendship helps the characters face problems they could not solve alone.
- Watch for the different ways characters show courage, even when they feel afraid.
- Think about what each character believes they are missing and whether they already have it.
- Pay attention to how kindness and helping others shapes the journey.
- Consider what the story is saying about home and why Dorothy wants to return so badly.
- Look at how a scary or difficult moment can turn into a chance to grow.
Chapter-by-Chapter Study Guide
Chapter 1: The Cyclone
Before you read — think about:
- Where do you think a story that begins on a flat, gray prairie might be headed?
- What do you already know about big storms like tornadoes or cyclones?
- Why might a family build a special underground room on a farm?
- How can a pet make a lonely place feel happier?
- What would you grab first if you had to leave your house very quickly?
Watch for these while reading:
- The many ways the author describes the color gray on the Kansas farm
- How Dorothy is different from the grown-ups around her
- The warning signs in the sky and grass before the storm hits
- What Dorothy chooses to save when danger arrives
- How Dorothy stays calm once the strange thing happens
Vocabulary to know:
prairie (noun) — a large, flat area of grassy land with very few trees; midst (noun) — the middle part of something; lumber (noun) — wood that has been cut into boards for building; cupboard (noun) — a cabinet with shelves for storing dishes and food; garret (noun) — a small room or attic at the very top of a house; cellar (noun) — a room dug under the ground where people can hide or store things; cyclone (noun) — a powerful whirling windstorm strong enough to lift a whole house; whirlwind (noun) — a spinning column of wind that twists as it moves; ladder (noun) — a set of steps used to climb up or down; plowed (verb) — turned over and broke up soil to get it ready for planting; blistered (verb) — caused the surface to bubble and peel from heat; gaunt (adjective) — very thin and worn-looking; sober (adjective) — serious and without any brightness or joy; orphan (noun) — a child whose parents have died; startled (verb) — surprised suddenly in a way that gives a small shock; merry (adjective) — cheerful and full of fun; stern (adjective) — very serious and strict; solemn (adjective) — very serious and quiet; anxiously (adverb) — in a worried, uneasy way; wail (noun) — a long, sad, crying sound; ripples (noun) — small waves that move across a surface; shriek (noun) — a loud, sharp scream; footing (noun) — a steady, balanced position of the feet; whirled (verb) — spun around quickly; pressure (noun) — a steady pushing force; howled (verb) — made a long, loud crying sound; cradle (noun) — a small rocking bed for a baby; crept (verb) — moved slowly and carefully, close to the ground; resolved (verb) — made up one's mind to do something; swaying (verb) — swinging slowly from side to side.
Chapter 2: The Council with the Munchkins
Before you read — think about:
- What do you think Dorothy will find when she opens the door after the storm?
- How might a place feel different if it were full of color instead of gray?
- What would you do if strangers greeted you as a hero for something you didn't mean to do?
- Why might a person want a helpful friend when they are far from home?
- What are some kind ways people help travelers who are lost?
Watch for these while reading:
- How the new land looks and sounds compared with gray Kansas
- The odd clothing and hats of the little people Dorothy meets
- Why the strangers call Dorothy a sorceress
- The gift Dorothy is given and the mystery about it
- The advice about which road to follow and where it leads
Vocabulary to know:
dismally (adverb) — in a sad and gloomy way; amazement (noun) — a feeling of great surprise and wonder; marvelous (adjective) — wonderful and amazing; greensward (noun) — an area of soft green grass; stately (adjective) — grand and dignified in a tall, impressive way; luscious (adjective) — sweet, juicy, and delicious; gorgeous (adjective) — very beautiful; brilliant (adjective) — very bright and shining; plumage (noun) — the feathers that cover a bird; brook (noun) — a small stream of water; murmuring (verb) — making a soft, low, gentle sound; grateful (adjective) — feeling thankful; queer (adjective) — strange or unusual; pleats (noun) — folds pressed into cloth; gown (noun) — a long, flowing dress; glistened (verb) — shone with sparkling light; wrinkles (noun) — small folds or lines in the skin from age; stiffly (adverb) — in a hard-to-bend, not-smooth way; noble (adjective) — grand and worthy of great respect; sorceress (noun) — a woman who works magic; wicked (adjective) — very bad and cruel; witch (noun) — a person who can do magic; bondage (noun) — being forced to work for someone with no freedom; innocent (adjective) — having done nothing wrong; harmless (adjective) — not able or likely to cause hurt; hesitation (noun) — a pause because of being unsure; dismay (noun) — a feeling of worry and unhappy surprise; beam (noun) — a long, heavy piece of wood that helps hold up a building; shod (verb) — having shoes put on the feet; messenger (noun) — a person who carries news from one place to another; swift (adjective) — very fast; civilized (adjective) — having settled towns, laws, and modern ways of living; wizard (noun) — a man who works powerful magic; magician (noun) — a person who performs magic; slate (noun) — a small flat board people once wrote on with chalk; chalk (noun) — a soft white stick used for writing; grieve (verb) — to feel deep sadness; handkerchief (noun) — a small square of cloth for wiping the face or eyes; weep (verb) — to cry; balanced (verb) — held something steady so it would not fall; pleaded (verb) — begged in a serious, hopeful way; injure (verb) — to hurt or harm; forehead (noun) — the part of the face above the eyes; paved (verb) — covered with a hard surface for walking or riding; desert (noun) — a large, dry, sandy land where almost nothing grows; growl (verb) — to make a low, angry sound in the throat; straightway (adverb) — right away, at once.
Chapter 3: How Dorothy Saved the Scarecrow
Before you read — think about:
- What might Dorothy need to pack for a long walk to a faraway city?
- Have you ever met someone new on a trip? How did you become friends?
- Why might a stuffed figure in a field be surprising if it began to talk?
- What does it mean to be smart, and are there different kinds of smart?
- How can helping a stranger turn into a friendship?
Watch for these while reading:
- How Dorothy gets ready for her journey and what she wears
- The way the Munchkins treat Dorothy along the road
- The first strange new friend Dorothy meets
- What the Scarecrow most wishes he had
- The one thing the Scarecrow is truly afraid of
Vocabulary to know:
pail (noun) — a bucket for carrying water; delicious (adjective) — very good to eat; gingham (noun) — a cotton cloth woven in a checked pattern; checks (noun) — a pattern of small squares; faded (adjective) — having lost some of its color; frock (noun) — a girl's dress; sunbonnet (noun) — a soft hat with a wide front to shade the face from the sun; basket (noun) — a container woven from strips, used for carrying things; peg (noun) — a small hook or pin for hanging things; leather (noun) — a strong material made from animal skin; briskly (adverb) — in a quick, lively way; tinkling (verb) — making light, ringing sounds; dainty (adjective) — small, pretty, and delicate; abundance (noun) — a very large amount; grain (noun) — the seeds of plants like wheat and corn used for food; crops (noun) — plants grown by farmers for food; dwellings (noun) — houses or places where people live; dome (noun) — a rounded roof shaped like half a ball; fiddlers (noun) — people who play the fiddle, or violin; hearty (adjective) — large and satisfying; settee (noun) — a long seat with a back, like a small couch; gravely (adverb) — in a serious way; bade (verb) — said or told, as in saying goodbye; cornfield (noun) — a field where corn is grown; scarecrow (noun) — a figure made to look like a person, set up to frighten birds away from crops; sack (noun) — a bag made of rough cloth; straw (noun) — dried yellow stalks of grain; perched (verb) — sat or rested up high; pole (noun) — a long, straight rod of wood; stalks (noun) — the tall stems of plants; earnestly (adverb) — in a serious and sincere way; husky (adjective) — sounding rough and low; tedious (adjective) — long, dull, and tiring; obliged (verb) — grateful and thankful for a kindness; puzzled (adjective) — confused and unsure; yawned (verb) — opened the mouth wide while feeling sleepy or bored; brains (noun) — the power to think and understand; confidentially (adverb) — in a private, secret-sharing way; treads (verb) — steps or walks on something; fool (noun) — a person who is silly or not thought to be clever; suspected (verb) — thought something might be true without being sure; curiosity (noun) — something strange and interesting that people want to look at; amused (verb) — made someone smile or laugh; wee (adjective) — very small; represent (verb) — to stand for or show something; whisked (verb) — carried away quickly and suddenly.
Chapter 4: The Road Through the Forest
Before you read — think about:
- What kinds of problems might travelers face when a road becomes rough and broken?
- Why might someone want to hear about a new friend's past?
- What does the saying 'there is no place like home' mean to you?
- How can a person be helpful even if they think they are not smart?
- What might make a dark forest feel a little less scary?
Watch for these while reading:
- The funny troubles the Scarecrow has walking on the broken road
- How Dorothy explains why she wants to go back to gray Kansas
- The story the Scarecrow tells about how he was first made
- What an old crow says that changes how the Scarecrow feels
- How the friends find a place to rest when night falls
Vocabulary to know:
stumbled (verb) — tripped and almost fell; uneven (adjective) — not smooth or level; mishap (noun) — a small unlucky accident; dismal (adjective) — gloomy and cheerless; lonesome (adjective) — lonely and quiet; refused (verb) — said no to something offered; spoil (verb) — to ruin the shape or quality of something; dreary (adjective) — dull and depressing; flesh (noun) — the soft parts of a living body; fortunate (adjective) — lucky; reproachfully (adverb) — in a way that shows gentle blame or disappointment; glimpse (noun) — a quick first look; fastened (verb) — joined or attached firmly; proud (adjective) — pleased and satisfied with oneself; deserted (verb) — left alone with no one else around; clumsy (adjective) — awkward and not skillful; comforted (verb) — made someone feel less sad; stake (noun) — a strong pointed stick pushed into the ground; untilled (adjective) — not dug up or farmed; cottage (noun) — a small, simple house; patiently (adverb) — in a calm way, without complaining while waiting; sighed (verb) — let out a long, slow breath to show feeling; declared (verb) — said something firmly and clearly; managed (verb) — succeeded in doing something difficult; roadside (noun) — the edge or side of a road; flock (noun) — a large group of birds; shoulder (noun) — the part of the body where the arm joins; hopped (verb) — jumped a short way on one or both feet; dried (adjective) — having had all the water taken out; sound (adjective) — deep and complete, said of sleep.
Chapter 5: The Rescue of the Tin Woodman
Before you read — think about:
- Why do people and living things need water every day?
- What might make a strange groaning sound in a quiet forest?
- How could rust cause trouble for something made of metal?
- What does it mean to have a kind or loving heart?
- Why might a new traveler want to join a group heading somewhere important?
Watch for these while reading:
- The mysterious sound the friends hear in the woods
- How Dorothy and the Scarecrow help the rusted stranger
- What the Tin Woodman most wishes he had
- The sad story the Tin Woodman tells about his past
- How the group grows and helps one another along the road
Vocabulary to know:
squirrels (noun) — small furry animals with bushy tails that climb trees; inconvenient (adjective) — causing trouble or difficulty; bother (noun) — trouble or effort; properly (adverb) — in the right or correct way; spring (noun) — a place where water flows up out of the ground; bathed (verb) — washed the body in water; scarcely (adverb) — almost not at all; barely; thankful (adjective) — feeling glad and grateful; groan (noun) — a low, sad sound made when hurting; timidly (adverb) — in a shy, fearful way; imagine (verb) — to guess or picture in the mind; ray (noun) — a thin beam of light; uplifted (adjective) — raised up high; axe (noun) — a tool with a sharp blade for chopping wood; motionless (adjective) — not moving at all; stir (verb) — to move even a little; snap (noun) — a quick bite; joints (noun) — the places where parts bend and move; rusted (verb) — became covered in reddish flakes from metal getting wet; satisfaction (noun) — a happy, contented feeling; comfort (noun) — a feeling of relief and ease; release (noun) — being set free; polite (adjective) — having good manners; creature (noun) — any living being; comrade (noun) — a friend who travels or works alongside you; passage (noun) — a way through or path; heartily (adverb) — in a warm, eager way; company (noun) — the friendly presence of others; suppose (verb) — to think or believe something is likely; misfortune (noun) — bad luck or an unlucky event; tinsmith (noun) — a worker who makes things out of tin; enchanted (verb) — put a magic spell on; angered (verb) — made someone feel very cross; daunted (verb) — made afraid or discouraged; maiden (noun) — a young unmarried woman; splitting (verb) — breaking or cutting into two parts; alas (interjection) — a word used to show sadness or regret; undergo (verb) — to go through something hard; heart (noun) — the part inside that lets a person feel love and kindness; rainstorm (noun) — a storm with heavy rain; prevent (verb) — to stop something from happening; lazy (adjective) — not wanting to work; housework (noun) — the cooking, cleaning, and chores done in a home; shouldered (verb) — lifted and carried on the shoulder.
Chapter 6: The Cowardly Lion
Before you read — think about:
- What sounds might a deep, wild forest make that could frighten a traveler?
- Can a person feel scared and still do something brave? How?
- What does it mean to be a coward, and can that feeling be changed?
- Why might a large, strong animal still be afraid inside?
- How should friends treat one another's weaknesses?
Watch for these while reading:
- The frightening sounds coming from the forest
- How Dorothy stands up to the big Lion
- The surprising secret the Lion admits about himself
- What the Lion hopes Oz can give him
- The lesson the Tin Woodman learns about a tiny beetle
Vocabulary to know:
bounded (verb) — leaped or jumped with big springing steps; blow (noun) — a hard hit; paw (noun) — the foot of an animal such as a lion or dog; claws (noun) — the sharp, curved nails on an animal's feet; impression (noun) — a mark or dent pressed into something; heedless (adjective) — not paying attention to danger; slapped (verb) — hit with an open hand; ashamed (adjective) — feeling bad about something you did; beast (noun) — a large wild animal; coward (noun) — a person or animal who is easily frightened; retorted (verb) — answered back quickly and sharply; shame (noun) — an unhappy feeling of having done wrong; astonished (verb) — surprised very greatly; whirl (verb) — to spin quickly around; blunted (verb) — made dull or less sharp; shiver (noun) — a small shaking from cold or fear; tender (adjective) — gentle and caring toward someone; remarkably (adverb) — in a way that is worth noticing; surprisingly; mystery (noun) — something that cannot be explained; roared (verb) — made a loud, deep sound like a lion; sorrow (noun) — deep sadness; unbearable (adjective) — too hard or painful to put up with; courage (noun) — the strength to face danger even when afraid; strides (noun) — long, confident steps; crushed (verb) — squeezed or pressed hard enough to break; jaws (noun) — the two bony parts of the mouth that hold the teeth; approve (verb) — to think something is good or agree with it; mar (verb) — to spoil or damage; beetle (noun) — a small insect with a hard shell over its wings; regret (noun) — a sad, sorry feeling about something that happened; hinges (noun) — the moving joints that let a part swing open and shut; relieve (verb) — to help someone out of trouble; seized (verb) — grabbed quickly; toiling (verb) — working hard and slowly; cruel (adjective) — willing to hurt others; unkind; guide (verb) — to lead or help someone choose the right way; disease (noun) — a sickness of the body.
Chapter 7: The Journey to the Great Oz
Before you read — think about:
- How can travelers get across a wide, deep ditch with no bridge?
- Why might friends take turns helping and protecting one another?
- What clever ideas can solve a problem that seems impossible at first?
- How can working together turn a scary moment into a safe one?
- What would you pack or plan for a long trip through the wild?
Watch for these while reading:
- How the friends cross the deep ditches in the road
- The clever plans the Scarecrow keeps coming up with
- The dangerous beasts that hunt in this part of the forest
- How each friend uses a special strength to help the group
- How the group deals with a wide river blocking their path
Vocabulary to know:
camp (verb) — to sleep outdoors with no house nearby; dew (noun) — tiny drops of water that form in the night; splendid (adjective) — very fine and grand; deer (noun) — a graceful wild animal with hooves that lives in forests; roast (verb) — to cook over a fire; peculiar (adjective) — strange or unusual; prefer (verb) — to like one thing better than another; nuts (noun) — hard-shelled seeds that can be eaten; awkward (adjective) — clumsy and not graceful; padded (adjective) — soft and stuffed; enabled (verb) — made it possible to do something; spark (noun) — a tiny bit of burning fire that jumps from flames; flames (noun) — the bright, hot parts of a fire; snug (adjective) — warm, cozy, and comfortable; eventful (adjective) — full of exciting things happening; ditch (noun) — a long, deep cut or channel in the ground; divided (verb) — split into two parts; jagged (adjective) — having sharp, uneven points; steep (adjective) — having a very sharp slope that is hard to climb; despairingly (adverb) — in a way that shows loss of hope; faintest (adjective) — the smallest or weakest possible; shaggy (adjective) — covered with long, rough hair; mane (noun) — the long hair around a lion's neck and head; gulf (noun) — a deep, wide gap in the ground; dented (verb) — pushed in, making a hollow mark; measuring (verb) — figuring out the size or distance of something; crouched (verb) — bent low and close to the ground; panted (verb) — breathed hard and fast; gloomy (adjective) — dark and dreary; discomfort (noun) — an uneasy or uncomfortable feeling; depths (noun) — the deep, faraway inner parts of a place; Kalidahs (noun) — monstrous beasts of Oz with bodies like bears and heads like tigers; monstrous (adjective) — huge and frightening, like a monster; dreadful (adjective) — terrible and frightening; consider (verb) — to think carefully about something; tremble (verb) — to shake with fear; fierce (adjective) — wild, angry, and dangerous; instant (noun) — a very short moment of time; snarling (adjective) — growling angrily while showing teeth; brutes (noun) — cruel, savage animals; meadows (noun) — open fields of grass; bordered (verb) — lined along the edge; delightful (adjective) — very pleasing and lovely; raft (noun) — a flat floating platform made of logs; industrious (adjective) — hardworking; cozy (adjective) — warm and comfortable.
Chapter 8: The Deadly Poppy Field
Before you read — think about:
- What can go wrong when crossing a river on a homemade raft?
- How might strangers or animals help travelers in trouble?
- Can something beautiful ever also be dangerous? Give an example.
- How do friends rescue one another when someone is left behind?
- Why is it important to keep going toward a goal even when things go wrong?
Watch for these while reading:
- The trouble the raft runs into on the fast river
- How the friends lose and then rescue the Scarecrow
- The kind creature that stops to help them
- The beautiful flowers that turn out to be dangerous
- Who is able to keep going through the poppies and who is not
Vocabulary to know:
refreshed (adjective) — rested and full of new energy; princess (noun) — a royal daughter, or someone treated like one; peaches (noun) — soft, sweet, fuzzy fruits; plums (noun) — small, sweet, smooth-skinned fruits; discouragements (noun) — things that make you lose heart or hope; beckon (verb) — to signal someone to come closer; pins (noun) — small pointed pieces used to fasten things together; steady (verb) — to hold something still so it does not tip; current (noun) — the moving flow of water in a river; downstream (adverb) — in the direction the river is flowing; clinging (verb) — holding on tightly; apron (noun) — a cloth worn over the front of clothes; make-believe (verb) — to pretend; stream (noun) — flowing water, like a small river; shore (noun) — the land at the edge of a river or sea; swim (verb) — to move through water using the body; tail (noun) — the part that sticks out at the back of an animal; wistfully (adverb) — in a sad, longing way; stork (noun) — a tall wading bird with long legs and a long neck; twisted (verb) — turned and bent around; eagerly (adverb) — in a keen, excited way; hugged (verb) — held someone tightly in the arms with love; carpeted (verb) — covered thickly, like a carpet; blossoms (noun) — flowers, especially in bloom; clusters (noun) — groups of things bunched close together; scarlet (adjective) — bright, deep red; poppies (noun) — bright red flowers whose strong smell in this land can put people to sleep forever; dazzled (verb) — shone so brightly it was almost blinding; spicy (adjective) — having a strong, sharp smell; scent (noun) — a smell; frail (adjective) — delicate and easily broken; meadow (noun) — a field of grass and flowers; odor (noun) — a smell, often a strong one; powerful (adjective) — very strong; breathes (verb) — takes air in and out of the body; sleeper (noun) — a person who is asleep; deadly (adjective) — able to cause death; aroused (verb) — stirred into action; woke up; poison (noun) — something that can harm or kill if taken in; breeze (noun) — a light, gentle wind; waken (verb) — to wake up or make someone wake up; riverbank (noun) — the land along the side of a river; mistress (noun) — a female owner that a pet loves and follows.
Chapter 9: The Queen of the Field Mice
Before you read — think about:
- How could very small creatures help with a very big problem?
- Why is it kind to help someone even if they can't repay you?
- What does it mean to keep a promise to a new friend?
- How might many hands—or many paws—make a hard job easier?
- Why should we be gentle with creatures smaller than ourselves?
Watch for these while reading:
- The small creature the Tin Woodman saves and why
- How helping one small animal leads to big help in return
- The clever plan to rescue the sleeping Lion
- How teamwork among thousands makes the impossible possible
- The promise made between the friends and the mice
Vocabulary to know:
wildcat (noun) — a fierce wild animal of the cat family; glowed (verb) — shone with a warm or fiery light; squeaky (adjective) — making a high, thin sound; indignantly (adverb) — in an angry way at being treated unfairly; majesty (noun) — a title used when speaking to a queen or king; exclaimed (verb) — said something suddenly and loudly; deed (noun) — something that is done, especially something good or brave; shrill (adjective) — high and sharp in sound; chorus (noun) — many voices speaking or singing at once; scampered (verb) — ran quickly with light, hurried steps; delight (noun) — great pleasure and joy; clump (noun) — a thick bunch or cluster; creeping (verb) — moving slowly and carefully; repay (verb) — to pay back a kindness; attended (verb) — waited on and served someone; orders (noun) — commands telling others what to do; truck (noun) — a low cart on wheels for carrying heavy loads; limbs (noun) — the branches of a tree; wheels (noun) — round parts that turn to let something roll; trunk (noun) — the thick main stem of a tree; harnessed (verb) — tied up with straps to pull something; draw (verb) — to pull something along; dignified (adjective) — calm and worthy of respect; introduce (verb) — to make one person known to another; permit (verb) — to allow; curtsy (noun) — a polite greeting made by bending the knees; hurriedly (adverb) — in a fast, rushed way; assistance (noun) — help; fond (adjective) — having warm, loving feelings for someone; lest (conjunction) — for fear that; so that something won't happen; rows (noun) — lines of things arranged side by side.
Chapter 10: The Guardian of the Gate
Before you read — think about:
- What might a city look like if everything in it were one color?
- Why would people be afraid to travel with a large lion?
- What have you heard so far about the Great Oz? What might he be like?
- Why might a mysterious ruler refuse to let people see him?
- Why might visitors to a dazzling city need to protect their eyes?
Watch for these while reading:
- How the country changes color as they near the Emerald City
- What a farmer tells them about the mysterious Oz
- The rules and warnings the friends hear before entering
- The strange green spectacles everyone must wear
- The Guardian of the Gates and how visitors are treated
Vocabulary to know:
fragrance (noun) — a smell, usually a strong or sweet one; generously (adverb) — in a kind, giving way; rejoiced (verb) — felt and showed great joy; shades (noun) — shadowy, darkened areas; evidently (adverb) — in a way that is clear or obvious; peaked (adjective) — coming to a point at the top; starved (adjective) — very hungry; boldly (adverb) — in a brave, confident way; tame (adjective) — gentle and not wild; peep (noun) — a quick, small look; couch (noun) — a long, soft seat for sitting or lying; presence (noun) — the space right in front of an important person; throne (noun) — the special chair where a ruler sits; palace (noun) — the grand home of a ruler; form (noun) — the shape something takes; fairy (noun) — a tiny magical being; brownie (noun) — a small, helpful magical creature; collection (noun) — a group of things gathered together; pot (noun) — a deep round container; plate (noun) — a flat cover or dish; sorrowfully (adverb) — in a very sad way; task (noun) — a job that must be done; porridge (noun) — a soft, warm cereal made from boiled oats; scrambled (adjective) — cooked while being stirred and mixed; oats (noun) — a grain used to make cereal and to feed horses; guarded (verb) — watched over to keep safe; disturbed (verb) — bothered or interrupted; glow (noun) — a soft, steady light; surrounded (verb) — went all the way around; gate (noun) — a door in a wall or fence; studded (verb) — covered with small decorations set into a surface; glittered (verb) — shone with many tiny flashes of light; brilliancy (noun) — great brightness and sparkle; button (noun) — a small knob you press to make something work; silvery (adjective) — sounding light and clear, like ringing silver; tinkle (noun) — a light, ringing sound; arched (adjective) — curved over the top like a rainbow; countless (adjective) — too many to count; tint (noun) — a shade of color; perplexity (noun) — a puzzled, confused feeling; idle (adjective) — lazy or done for no good reason; errand (noun) — a short trip made for a purpose; guardian (noun) — a person who watches over and protects a place; spectacles (noun) — eyeglasses; glory (noun) — great beauty and splendor; portal (noun) — a grand doorway or gate.
Chapter 11: The Wonderful City of Oz
Before you read — think about:
- What would it be like to visit a palace and meet a powerful ruler?
- Why might a wizard appear in a different shape to each visitor?
- How do you feel brave when you have to face something alone?
- What does it mean to earn something rather than be given it?
- Why might a leader ask people to do a hard task before helping them?
Watch for these while reading:
- The many green wonders inside the city and palace
- How Oz appears differently to each of the four friends
- The one thing Oz demands before he will help anyone
- How each friend feels after meeting Oz
- The difficult decision the friends must make together
Vocabulary to know:
marble (noun) — a hard, smooth stone used for grand buildings; pavement (noun) — a hard surface for walking on; joined (verb) — fitted or connected together; panes (noun) — the flat sheets of glass in a window; assorted (adjective) — of different kinds mixed together; wondering (adjective) — filled with amazement; shops (noun) — small stores where things are sold; candy (noun) — sweet treats; popcorn (noun) — corn kernels heated until they burst and puff up; lemonade (noun) — a cool drink made from lemons, sugar, and water; pennies (noun) — small coins of little value; contented (adjective) — happy and satisfied; prosperous (adjective) — doing well and having plenty; carts (noun) — small wagons pushed or pulled to carry goods; soldier (noun) — a person who serves and guards; uniform (noun) — special matching clothing worn for a job; message (noun) — words sent from one person to another; screen (noun) — a covered panel that hides what is behind it; grant (verb) — to give or allow what is asked; audience (noun) — a formal meeting with an important person; desire (verb) — to want very much; admit (verb) — to let someone come in; whistle (noun) — a small tool blown to make a sharp sound; silk (noun) — a soft, smooth, shiny cloth; velvet (noun) — a soft cloth with a thick, fuzzy surface; counterpane (noun) — a cover spread over the top of a bed; fountain (noun) — a spout that shoots water into the air; spray (noun) — a fine mist of tiny drops; perfume (noun) — a liquid with a sweet smell; carved (adjective) — cut into a shape by hand; basin (noun) — a wide, shallow bowl; wardrobe (noun) — a tall closet for hanging clothes; satin (noun) — a smooth, glossy cloth; lodged (verb) — given a place to stay; politeness (noun) — good manners and kindness; stupidly (adverb) — in a dull, blank way; spider (noun) — a small eight-legged creature that spins webs; weaving (verb) — making by crossing threads over and under; web (noun) — the net a spider spins to catch food; habit (noun) — something done out of custom, without thinking; purred (verb) — made a soft rumbling sound of contentment; brocaded (adjective) — woven with a raised, fancy pattern; ribbon (noun) — a narrow strip of cloth used to tie or decorate; hall (noun) — a large room or passage in a big building; gentlemen (noun) — polite, well-mannered men; court (noun) — the people who attend a ruler; costumes (noun) — special or fancy outfits; curiously (adverb) — with great interest and wonder; signal (noun) — a sign that tells you to do something; ceiling (noun) — the top inside surface of a room; gems (noun) — precious stones or jewels; enormous (adjective) — extremely large; giant (noun) — an imaginary being of huge size; steadily (adverb) — in a firm, unmoving way; awful (adjective) — terrible and frightening; meek (adjective) — gentle, humble, and quiet; weak (adjective) — not strong; willingly (adverb) — gladly, by one's own choice; sobbed (verb) — cried with short, gasping breaths; tremendously (adverb) — extremely; very greatly.
Chapter 12: The Search for the Wicked Witch
Before you read — think about:
- How can a small, kind person stand up to a cruel and powerful one?
- What clever ways might friends defend one another from danger?
- Why do bullies sometimes lose their power when someone stops obeying them?
- What everyday thing might turn out to be a villain's weakness?
- How can courage and kindness help even when someone feels trapped?
Watch for these while reading:
- The many creatures the Witch sends and how the friends defeat them
- The magic cap and the Winged Monkeys
- How the mark of the Good Witch's kiss protects Dorothy
- The Witch's greatest fear and her secret weakness
- How Dorothy accidentally ends the Witch's power
Vocabulary to know:
officer (noun) — a person who holds a position of authority; unlocked (verb) — opened something that was locked; daisies (noun) — small white flowers with yellow centers; buttercups (noun) — small, shiny yellow flowers; hillier (adjective) — having more hills; telescope (noun) — a tube that makes faraway things look close; castle (noun) — a large, strong building where a ruler lives; pack (noun) — a group of animals that hunt together; wolves (noun) — wild animals like large dogs that hunt in groups; leader (noun) — the one who leads or is in charge of a group; weapon (noun) — a tool used to fight or defend; heap (noun) — a messy pile; immediately (adverb) — right away, without delay; battle (noun) — a fight between two sides; peck (verb) — to strike or bite with a beak; rage (noun) — very great anger; forthwith (adverb) — at once; immediately; buzzing (noun) — the humming sound insects make; swarm (noun) — a large moving group of insects; bees (noun) — flying insects that can sting; sting (verb) — to prick and hurt with a sharp point; scatter (verb) — to spread or throw about; stings (noun) — the sharp parts a bee uses to prick; coal (noun) — a hard black rock burned for fuel; stamped (verb) — brought a foot down hard; gnashed (verb) — ground the teeth together in anger; spears (noun) — long poles with sharp points, used as weapons; marched (verb) — walked together with firm, steady steps; strap (noun) — a strip of leather used to fasten or to strike; cunning (adjective) — clever in a sneaky way; trick (noun) — a clever, sneaky plan to fool someone; circle (noun) — a round line with no ends; diamonds (noun) — very hard, clear, sparkling jewels; rubies (noun) — deep red precious stones; charm (noun) — a magic power placed on an object; command (verb) — to order someone to do something; exhausted (adjective) — completely used up; rumbling (adjective) — making a low, rolling sound; chattering (noun) — quick, noisy talking or sounds; immense (adjective) — huge; obeyed (verb) — did what was ordered; battered (adjective) — badly beaten and dented; bundle (noun) — things wrapped or tied together; stout (adjective) — thick and strong; rope (noun) — a thick, strong cord; coils (noun) — loops of something wound around and around; struggle (verb) — to fight and strain to get free; iron (noun) — a hard, heavy metal; escape (verb) — to get away from being trapped; fate (noun) — what happens to someone, especially something bad; grinning (verb) — smiling in a wide, unpleasant way; motioning (verb) — making a movement to signal others; evil (noun) — great wickedness; doorstep (noun) — the step in front of a door; harshly (adverb) — in a rough, unkind way; severely (adverb) — in a strict, stern way; kettles (noun) — metal pots used for boiling; sweep (verb) — to clean a floor with a broom; courtyard (noun) — an open space enclosed by walls of a building; chariot (noun) — a small cart pulled by an animal.
Chapter 13: The Rescue
Before you read — think about:
- How can friends help repair the damage done to someone they love?
- Why is it worth traveling far to bring a friend back?
- How do people show thanks to someone who has helped them?
- What would it feel like to be reunited with friends after being apart?
- Why might people offer gifts when saying goodbye?
Watch for these while reading:
- How the freed Winkies feel about Dorothy and the Tin Woodman
- The careful work it takes to mend the Tin Woodman
- How the friends recover the Scarecrow
- The gifts the Winkies give as the friends leave
- The mysterious Golden Cap Dorothy decides to take
Vocabulary to know:
prison (noun) — a place where someone is locked up; cruelty (noun) — the act of being mean and causing pain; holiday (noun) — a special day for celebrating instead of working; feasting (verb) — eating a large, joyful meal; delighted (adjective) — very pleased and happy; plain (noun) — a large flat stretch of land; bent (adjective) — no longer straight; folded out of shape; blade (noun) — the sharp, flat cutting part of a tool; handle (noun) — the part of a tool you hold; shedding (verb) — letting fall, as tears; plight (noun) — a sad or difficult situation; tools (noun) — objects used to do work; straighten (verb) — to make straight again; dents (noun) — hollow marks pressed into a surface; solder (verb) — to join pieces of metal by melting them together; mend (verb) — to fix something that is broken; hammering (verb) — hitting again and again with a hammer; pounding (verb) — hitting hard and repeatedly; patches (noun) — small pieces added to cover holes or breaks; vain (adjective) — too proud of how one looks; goldsmith (noun) — a worker who makes things out of gold; burnished (adjective) — polished until shiny; behold (verb) — to look at, especially something wonderful; reunited (verb) — brought back together after being apart; claim (verb) — to ask for something that is owed to you; joyfully (adverb) — in a very happy way; determined (adjective) — firmly decided to do something; collar (noun) — a band worn around the neck; bracelet (noun) — a band of jewelry worn on the wrist; inlaid (adjective) — decorated with pieces set into the surface; precious (adjective) — rare and very valuable; speech (noun) — words spoken aloud to a group; ached (verb) — felt a dull, tired pain; cheers (noun) — shouts of joy and good wishes.
Chapter 14: The Winged Monkeys
Before you read — think about:
- How do people find their way when there is no road or map?
- Why is it helpful to remember friends who once promised to help you?
- What can go wrong when you get lost, and how do you stay hopeful?
- Have you ever learned a surprising story about how something came to be?
- Why might a magical helper be forced to obey someone?
Watch for these while reading:
- How the friends become lost without a road
- Which old friends Dorothy calls on for help
- The secret charm hidden inside the Golden Cap
- The story of how the Winged Monkeys came to serve the Cap
- How the Monkeys treat Dorothy this time
Vocabulary to know:
pathway (noun) — a small path or trail; rising (adjective) — coming up, as the sun in the morning; moon (noun) — the bright round object that shines in the night sky; grumble (verb) — to complain in a low voice; whimper (noun) — a soft, sad, whining sound; tramping (verb) — walking with heavy, tired steps; butterfly (noun) — an insect with large, colorful wings; tongue (noun) — the soft part inside the mouth used for tasting; suggested (verb) — offered an idea; pattering (noun) — the light tapping sound of many small feet; mischief (noun) — playful behavior that causes small trouble; plague (verb) — to bother or pester; lining (noun) — the inside covering of something; directions (noun) — instructions telling how to do something; flapping (noun) — the up-and-down motion or sound of wings; gardens (noun) — areas where flowers and plants are grown; master (noun) — a person who has control over others; careless (adjective) — not worried or thinking about trouble; clouds (noun) — the white or gray masses that float in the sky; handsome (adjective) — very good-looking; manly (adjective) — having qualities admired in a grown man; mate (verb) — to join together as husband and wife; husband (noun) — a married man; manhood (noun) — the time of being a grown man; hastened (verb) — hurried; wedding (noun) — the ceremony where two people marry; grandfather (noun) — the father of one's mother or father; joke (noun) — something said or done to make people laugh; drown (verb) — to die under water from being unable to breathe; condition (noun) — a rule that must be met before something is allowed; kingdom (noun) — the land and riches a king or queen rules; whosoever (pronoun) — whoever; any person at all; bride (noun) — a woman on or just after her wedding day; enslave (verb) — to force someone to be a slave; rapid (adjective) — very fast; flight (noun) — the act of flying; spared (verb) — chose not to punish or harm; ruined (verb) — completely spoiled or destroyed; fortune (noun) — good luck; pink (adjective) — a pale red color.
Chapter 15: The Discovery of Oz, the Terrible
Before you read — think about:
- What does it mean to keep a promise, and why does it matter?
- Have you ever found out something was not what it pretended to be?
- Can a person be good and still make big mistakes?
- Where do you think real bravery, kindness, and cleverness come from?
- How would you feel if a powerful person turned out to be ordinary?
Watch for these while reading:
- How Oz appears when the friends return this time
- The big secret the screen hides
- Oz's true story of how he came to the land
- What Oz says about brains, courage, and hearts
- The one thing Oz asks the friends to keep secret
Vocabulary to know:
humbug (noun) — a person who tricks others by pretending to be something he is not; tiresome (adjective) — boring and tiring; wearing (adjective) — slowly making one tired and worn out; vexed (adjective) — annoyed and cross; fashion (noun) — a way or manner of doing something; hardships (noun) — difficult, painful experiences; slavery (noun) — being forced to work with no freedom; sleepless (adjective) — without any sleep; promptly (adverb) — exactly on time; without delay; stillness (noun) — complete quiet and lack of movement; mortals (noun) — ordinary human beings; converse (verb) — to talk with someone; alarm (noun) — a sudden feeling of fear; bald (adjective) — having no hair on the head; meekly (adverb) — in a quiet, humble way; overheard (verb) — heard something not meant for you; common (adjective) — ordinary; not special; grieved (adjective) — feeling sad and hurt; bewilderment (noun) — a state of being very confused; chamber (noun) — a room; thicknesses (noun) — layers of something; wire (noun) — a thin, bendable thread of metal; thread (noun) — a thin strand used for sewing or pulling; ventriloquist (noun) — a person who can make their voice seem to come from somewhere else; deceive (verb) — to trick or fool someone; mask (noun) — a covering worn over the face; skins (noun) — the outer coverings of animals; slats (noun) — thin, flat strips of wood; sewn (verb) — joined together with needle and thread; cotton (noun) — a soft, fluffy white material; poured (verb) — made a liquid flow out; subjects (noun) — the people ruled by a king or queen; tale (noun) — a story; trained (verb) — taught a skill through practice; imitate (verb) — to copy the sound or way of something; mewed (verb) — made the soft cry of a cat; kitten (noun) — a baby cat; pricked (verb) — raised up sharply and alertly; balloon (noun) — a large bag filled with gas that can float and carry a rider; circus (noun) — a traveling show with performers and animals; gradually (adverb) — slowly, little by little; abounding (verb) — having a great deal of; full of; metals (noun) — hard materials like gold, silver, or iron; confidence (noun) — belief in yourself and your abilities; experience (noun) — the knowledge gained by living and doing things; knowledge (noun) — the things a person knows; opinion (noun) — what a person thinks or believes; murmur (noun) — a soft complaint; guests (noun) — visitors who are welcomed and cared for; forgive (verb) — to stop being angry at someone for a wrong; gracious (interjection) — a word said to show surprise; receive (verb) — to welcome or meet with someone; sudden (adjective) — happening quickly and without warning; angrily (adverb) — in an angry way; sleeve (noun) — the part of clothing that covers the arm; hush (interjection) — a word telling someone to be quiet; rear (noun) — the back part of something.
Chapter 16: The Magic Art of the Great Humbug
Before you read — think about:
- If a gift is not truly magic, can it still help someone? How?
- Why might believing in something make you act differently?
- What do you think the Scarecrow will be like once he has 'brains'?
- How can a kind trick sometimes give a person confidence?
- Do you think the friends really needed Oz's gifts? Why or why not?
Watch for these while reading:
- The everyday things Oz uses to make each gift
- How each friend feels after receiving his gift
- The clever way Oz explains courage to the Lion
- What Oz says to himself about being a humbug
- The one problem Oz still cannot solve
Vocabulary to know:
congratulate (verb) — to tell someone you are happy about their good news; engaged (adjective) — busy and taken up with something; uneasily (adverb) — in a nervous, worried way; excuse (verb) — to forgive or make allowance for; emptied (verb) — poured or took everything out; measure (noun) — an amount used for mixing or cooking; bran (noun) — the rough outer part of grain; needles (noun) — thin, sharp metal pins with a hole for thread; mixed (verb) — stirred different things together; thoroughly (adverb) — completely and carefully; mixture (noun) — different things stirred together; fulfillment (noun) — the coming true of a wish; bulged (verb) — swelled or stuck out; breast (noun) — the front of the chest; shears (noun) — a large, strong pair of scissors; square (adjective) — having four equal, straight sides; chest (noun) — a piece of furniture with drawers; drawers (noun) — sliding boxes that pull out of furniture; sawdust (noun) — tiny bits of wood left from sawing; neatly (adverb) — in a tidy, careful way; announced (verb) — said something in an official way; bottle (noun) — a container for holding liquid; contents (noun) — the things held inside something; dish (noun) — a shallow bowl or plate; sniffed (verb) — smelled by drawing in air through the nose; swallowed (verb) — made food or drink go down the throat; advise (verb) — to tell someone what you think they should do; success (noun) — the good result of doing something well; imagination (noun) — the power to picture things in the mind.
Chapter 17: How the Balloon Was Launched
Before you read — think about:
- How could a person travel across a desert too dangerous to walk?
- How does a hot-air balloon rise into the sky?
- Why might Oz want to leave the Emerald City himself?
- What can go wrong at the last minute of an important plan?
- How do people feel when they lose someone who helped them?
Watch for these while reading:
- How the friends feel now that they have their gifts
- Oz's clever plan for crossing the desert
- Why Oz decides to leave with Dorothy
- The careful work of building the balloon
- What goes wrong just as Dorothy tries to leave
Vocabulary to know:
rattling (verb) — making a series of quick knocking sounds; army (noun) — a large group of soldiers; notion (noun) — an idea or thought; coated (verb) — covered with a thin layer of something; glue (noun) — a sticky liquid used to hold things together; airtight (adjective) — sealed so no air can get in or out; float (verb) — to stay up in the air or on water; strips (noun) — long, narrow pieces; fancy (noun) — a liking or wish for something; swelled (verb) — grew bigger and puffed out; silken (adjective) — made of silk; tugging (verb) — pulling hard; weight (noun) — how heavy something is; launched (verb) — sent up or set going; spread (verb) — traveled quickly from person to person; upward (adverb) — toward the sky; up; lovingly (adverb) — with warm affection; rose (verb) — moved upward; brother (noun) — here, a fellow member of the same group; crack (interjection) — a word for a sudden, sharp snapping sound; discover (verb) — to find out; gazed (verb) — looked steadily at something; throughout (preposition) — all through; in every part of; coat (noun) — a thin layer covering a surface.
Chapter 18: Away to the South
Before you read — think about:
- When one plan fails, how do you find a new way forward?
- Why do good friends stick together even through danger?
- Who might help someone when the people they trusted are gone?
- How can gratitude make a friend want to help you?
- What makes a journey worth taking even when it is risky?
Watch for these while reading:
- How the friends comfort Dorothy after Oz is gone
- Whether the Golden Cap can solve Dorothy's problem
- The new person who is suggested to help
- Why each friend chooses to travel with Dorothy again
- The dangers said to lie on the road south
Vocabulary to know:
ungrateful (adjective) — not thankful for kindness; mourn (verb) — to feel and show deep sadness for a loss; towel (noun) — a cloth used for drying; oiled (verb) — put oil on to keep parts moving smoothly; respectfully (adverb) — in a polite way that shows honor; modestly (adverb) — in a humble way, without bragging; unlucky (adjective) — having bad luck; protect (verb) — to keep someone safe from harm; wild (adjective) — living in nature, not tamed; summoned (verb) — called to come; advice (noun) — an idea about what someone should do; race (noun) — a group of people or beings of the same kind; wasted (verb) — used up with no good result; burst (verb) — to break open suddenly; disappointment (noun) — the sad feeling when something hoped for does not happen; purpose (noun) — a reason or aim for doing something; due (adjective) — owed to someone; caused by; service (noun) — helpful work done for someone; horribly (adverb) — in a way that is unpleasant or alarming; edge (noun) — the border or outer part of something; straight (adjective) — going directly, without turning; passing (noun) — the going away or ending of something; pleasure (noun) — a feeling of gladness in doing something.
Chapter 19: Attacked by the Fighting Trees
Before you read — think about:
- What kinds of obstacles might block travelers in a thick forest?
- How can a group work together to get past a danger?
- Why might a place be guarded to keep strangers out?
- How do you feel leaving a place where everyone was kind to you?
- What would you do if the path ahead suddenly fought back?
Watch for these while reading:
- How the friends say goodbye to the Emerald City
- The strange way the first trees behave
- How the Tin Woodman handles the fighting trees
- What the friends guess about why the trees attack
- The unusual wall they discover at the forest's edge
Vocabulary to know:
farewell (noun) — a goodbye; good-natured (adjective) — friendly and kind; spirits (noun) — a person's mood or feelings; chatted (verb) — talked in a friendly, easy way; moths (noun) — insects like butterflies that often fly at night; towers (noun) — tall, narrow parts of a building; steeples (noun) — tall, pointed roofs, often on towers; spires (noun) — sharp, pointed tops of towers; dose (noun) — an amount of medicine or drink taken at once; extend (verb) — to stretch out over a distance; twined (verb) — wound and wrapped around; flung (verb) — threw hard and suddenly; headlong (adverb) — head-first and out of control; dizzy (adjective) — feeling as if things are spinning; tossed (verb) — threw lightly or carelessly; roughly (adverb) — in a harsh, not gentle way; policemen (noun) — people whose job is to guard and keep order; china (noun) — a hard, white, breakable material used for dishes; surface (noun) — the outer or top layer of something; wide-spreading (adjective) — reaching out broadly in all directions; pace (noun) — the speed of walking.
Chapter 20: The Dainty China Country
Before you read — think about:
- What might a whole country made of china (like fine dishes) be like?
- Why do we have to be gentle around things that break easily?
- How would you feel if you accidentally hurt someone by being careless?
- Why might a beautiful, fragile thing be happier left where it belongs?
- How can travelers show respect for people very different from themselves?
Watch for these while reading:
- The astonishing sight beyond the china wall
- How the friends try not to harm the fragile china people
- The accident with the china cow and milkmaid
- What the china Princess explains about being taken away
- The lesson the friends take from this delicate country
Vocabulary to know:
platter (noun) — a large, flat serving dish; scattered (verb) — spread out here and there; barns (noun) — farm buildings for animals and crops; milkmaid (noun) — a girl or woman who milks cows; shepherdesses (noun) — women who watch over sheep; bodices (noun) — the tight upper parts of dresses; shepherds (noun) — people who watch over sheep; breeches (noun) — short trousers reaching to the knee; stripes (noun) — long bands of color; buckles (noun) — fasteners for straps, often shiny; princes (noun) — the sons of kings and queens; ermine (noun) — a soft white fur used on royal robes; robes (noun) — long, loose garments worn for grand occasions; doublets (noun) — close-fitting jackets once worn by men; clowns (noun) — funny performers who make people laugh; ruffled (adjective) — trimmed with gathered, wavy folds of cloth; mantel (noun) — the shelf above a fireplace; cabinets (noun) — cases with shelves for displaying things; stiffen (verb) — to become hard and unable to bend; brittle (adjective) — hard but easily broken; damaged (verb) — harmed or broken; nick (noun) — a small chip or cut; mender (noun) — a person who fixes broken things; sulkily (adverb) — in a quietly grumpy, hurt way; glances (noun) — quick looks; limping (verb) — walking unevenly because of a hurt leg; clatter (noun) — a loud rattling, banging noise; scramble (verb) — to climb quickly using hands and feet; smashed (verb) — broke into many pieces; upset (verb) — knocked over; church (noun) — a building where people worship; prim (adjective) — very stiff, proper, and formal; considerably (adverb) — by a large amount; a lot; waist (noun) — the middle part of the body.
Chapter 21: The Lion Becomes the King of Beasts
Before you read — think about:
- How can new courage change the way someone acts?
- What makes a good leader when others are in danger?
- Why might frightened animals look to the strongest one for help?
- How can knowing an enemy's weakness help you defeat it?
- What does it mean to earn respect through brave actions?
Watch for these while reading:
- The difficult, muddy land the friends must cross
- Why the Lion loves this new forest
- The trouble the forest animals are facing
- How the Lion decides to use his courage
- The clever way the Lion defeats the giant spider
Vocabulary to know:
disagreeable (adjective) — unpleasant; bogs (noun) — areas of soft, wet, muddy ground; marshes (noun) — low, wet, soggy lands; rank (adjective) — growing thick and wild; muddy (adjective) — full of wet, sticky dirt; underbrush (noun) — low bushes and plants growing under trees; moss (noun) — a soft green plant that grows on trees and stones; clings (verb) — holds on tightly; rumble (noun) — a low, rolling sound; well-trodden (adjective) — worn smooth by much walking; opening (noun) — a clear space with no trees; variety (noun) — many different kinds; foxes (noun) — wild animals with pointed ears and bushy tails; assemblage (noun) — a large gathering of beings; hushed (verb) — became quiet; enemy (noun) — a dangerous foe that means you harm; tremendous (adjective) — very large and terrible; crawls (verb) — moves slowly on hands and knees or many legs; yonder (adverb) — over there; oak (noun) — a strong, tall kind of tree; forefoot (noun) — one of the front feet of an animal; disgust (noun) — a strong feeling of dislike; foe (noun) — an enemy; coarse (adjective) — rough and thick; pudgy (adjective) — short and fat; slender (adjective) — thin and narrow; wasp (noun) — a stinging insect with a very thin waist; hint (noun) — a small clue that helps you figure something out; wiggling (verb) — moving with quick twisting motions; armed (adjective) — equipped with something to fight; peace (noun) — a calm time without fighting or danger.
Chapter 22: The Country of the Quadlings
Before you read — think about:
- What might stop travelers at a steep, rocky hill?
- When brute force fails, how else can you solve a problem?
- Why is it useful to have a magic helper saved for a hard moment?
- How do the different lands of Oz each have their own color?
- How does it feel to finally be close to the end of a long journey?
Watch for these while reading:
- The strange armless people guarding the hill
- Why fighting them does not work
- How Dorothy uses the last charm of the Golden Cap
- The bright red land of the Quadlings
- How close the friends finally come to Glinda's castle
Vocabulary to know:
nevertheless (adverb) — in spite of that; even so; supported (verb) — held up; helpless (adjective) — unable to do anything to defend oneself; lightning (noun) — the sudden flash of light in a storm; tumbling (verb) — rolling and falling over and over; boisterous (adjective) — loud, rowdy, and cheerful; armless (adjective) — having no arms; Hammer-Heads (noun) — the armless people of Oz who attack by shooting their flat heads out on long necks; hillside (noun) — the sloping side of a hill; echoed (verb) — sounded again as it bounced back; thunder (noun) — the loud rumble that follows lightning; cannon (noun) — a large gun that fires heavy balls; bruised (adjective) — hurt and sore from being hit; sore (adjective) — aching and painful; useless (adjective) — having no use; pointless; withstand (verb) — to stand up against without being beaten; uttered (verb) — said aloud; vexation (noun) — annoyance and frustration; yelled (verb) — shouted loudly; twinkling (noun) — a very short instant; ripening (verb) — growing ready to be picked and eaten; chubby (adjective) — pleasantly plump and round; braid (noun) — a woven strip used for decoration; trimmed (verb) — decorated along the edges; afresh (adverb) — again, from a fresh start; cookies (noun) — small, sweet baked treats; admitted (verb) — allowed to come in.
Chapter 23: Glinda the Good Witch Grants Dorothy's Wish
Before you read — think about:
- Who has helped you most when you really needed it?
- Why is it kind to give something away that could help someone else?
- Do you think Dorothy already had the power to go home? Explain.
- Why might a long, hard journey still be worth it in the end?
- How do good friends say goodbye when they must part?
Watch for these while reading:
- How the friends prepare to meet the beautiful Glinda
- What Glinda asks for in return for her help
- How each friend's future is happily settled
- The surprising secret of Dorothy's Silver Shoes
- The emotional goodbye among the four friends
Vocabulary to know:
combed (verb) — smoothed and tidied hair with a comb; presentable (adjective) — neat and tidy enough to be seen; polished (verb) — rubbed until shiny; ringlets (noun) — curls of hair; flowing (adjective) — hanging loosely and gracefully; upturned (adjective) — turned or tilted upward; bless (verb) — to wish good things upon someone; afford (verb) — to have enough money for something; mourning (noun) — dark clothing worn to show sadness for someone lost; deprive (verb) — to take something away from someone; unusual (adjective) — not ordinary; special; brighter (adjective) — smarter or more clever; grand (adjective) — large and impressive; leaned (verb) — rested against something for support; thereafter (adverb) — after that time; evermore (adverb) — forever; heels (noun) — the back parts of the feet or shoes; wink (noun) — a tiny instant, as fast as blinking an eye; patting (verb) — touching gently with the hand again and again; sorrowful (adjective) — full of sadness; parting (noun) — a goodbye; the act of leaving one another; instantly (adverb) — at once, right away; length (noun) — in the phrase 'at length,' after a while; barnyard (noun) — the fenced area around a barn; stocking-feet (noun) — feet with socks but no shoes.
Chapter 24: Home Again
Before you read — think about:
- How do you feel when you come home after being away a long time?
- Why is being welcomed home by family so special?
- What do you think Dorothy learned on her adventure?
- Why might 'there's no place like home' be the heart of this story?
- How do you think Aunt Em felt while Dorothy was gone?
Watch for these while reading:
- How Aunt Em reacts when she sees Dorothy
- How the story returns to where it began
- What Dorothy says about being home
- The warm, happy ending after so many adventures
- How short and joyful this final chapter is
Vocabulary to know:
water (verb) — to pour water on plants to help them grow; cabbages (noun) — round, leafy green vegetables; darling (noun) — a dearly loved person; folding (verb) — wrapping or gathering in; covering (verb) — putting all over; kisses (noun) — touches of the lips to show love.
About the Author
L. Frank Baum was an American author who was born in 1856 and loved telling stories to children. He wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900, and it became so popular that he went on to write many more books about the magical land of Oz. Baum wanted to create a new kind of fairy tale for American children, one that was full of wonder and adventure but also friendly and fun.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was published in 1900, at a time when most fairy tales children read came from far-away places in Europe. Baum wanted to write a modern American fairy tale set partly in a real place, the plains of Kansas, before whisking readers off to an imaginary land. The book was famous for its bright, colorful pictures and quickly became one of the most popular children's stories ever written in the United States.