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Oz the Great and Powerful
Small-time magician Oscar Diggs's life suddenly changes when he's hurled from uneventful Kansas into the enchanting Land of Oz. The inhabitants there see Oscar as a powerful wizard, and they shower him with the fame and fortune he has always imagined would be his. That is, until three very powerful witches start to question Oscar's abilities. Drawn into an increasingly dangerous world, Oscar must quickly figure out who is good and who is evil in order to combat the wicked forces at large.
160 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2013
28 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Rudnick
77 books340 followershis is the part I'm always the worst at—talking about myself! So as you've figured out, my name is Elizabeth Rudnick and I'm a young adult author. I'm also a Senior Editor at Disney Press in New York City. I've edited books based on movies like Pirates of the Caribbean and Prince of Persia as well as Miley Cyrus's memoir, Miles to Go, which was a New York Times bestseller (imagine if Tweet Heart was too!) and a total blast to work on.
When I'm not working, I live in Connecticut with a big mutt named Jack Dyson (because he has the ability to suck up anything in his way) and have a habit of watching hours of mindless television. I like to think of it as research!
When I'm not working, I live in Connecticut with a big mutt named Jack Dyson (because he has the ability to suck up anything in his way) and have a habit of watching hours of mindless television. I like to think of it as research!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 8, 2018
Over the years, I've read many novelizations of movies and television shows. Some were amazing, such as R. A. Salvatore's rendition of Attack of the Clones. Others were abysmal, as was the case with the literary adaptation of Jingle All the Way, and that's coming from someone who grew up with the original film. This one was in the middle: not outstanding, but not terrible either. It pales in comparison to the flick, but, for fans of the movie, this may be worth a look, though not a purchase.
October 24, 2025
Un super bon livre que j'ai lu quand j'étais plus jeune je l'avais adoré !
March 16, 2013
Truly horrific. Disney Press should be ashamed.
June 6, 2016
Voy a darles un consejo: Nunca, jamas, en ningún momento, bajo ninguna circunstancia compren libros basados en películas. No importa que ta buena sea la película en que se basan.
April 8, 2019
Only took about an hour of my life so no big loss but wouldn’t recommend it or in any way it was a life changing, valuable read.
May 31, 2020
Old time favorite oh i just missed the wizard of oz series
July 18, 2020
I've never seen the movie and this book was really simplistic in its telling, but it got the point across well enough.
It was an ok read, brief and to the point.
It was an ok read, brief and to the point.
September 16, 2020
Such a fun read. I saw the movie before I read the book, but it was still enjoyable.
January 4, 2021
It’s very simplistically written with some key elements left out, but I’m a sucker for the movie, hence the three star rating.
December 28, 2024
Great for sleeping.
December 25, 2016
Estoy realizando una lectura rápida de entre varios libros "ligeros" para mi hijos. He de decir que aunque la narrativa es demasiado simple y muchos de los pasajes son obviados, sigue siendo una novela Jr. sumamente entretenida y creativa.
El escenario y trasfondo de Oscar, hasta la fantasía de convertirse en Oz, es una maravillosa aventura para los jóvenes lectores de 10 a 14 años, me parece.
Muy recomendable incluso como lectura de entretenimiento para profesores como un servidor y padres de familia que estoy seguro agradecerán este tipo de libro.
El escenario y trasfondo de Oscar, hasta la fantasía de convertirse en Oz, es una maravillosa aventura para los jóvenes lectores de 10 a 14 años, me parece.
Muy recomendable incluso como lectura de entretenimiento para profesores como un servidor y padres de familia que estoy seguro agradecerán este tipo de libro.
April 3, 2014
Oz the Great and Powerful is a fantasy and/science fiction book. It is suitable for older audiences. Children ages 8-12.
The story follows the magician Oscar who finds himself in Oz. He is thought to be the wizard that the land and creatures of Oz have long awaited. The beginning tells of how Oscar wasn't the most upstanding guy with whom you'd want to conduct business. Once in Oz he has to determine which of the characters he can trust. That is important within itself. I think that it serves a great lesson to children, as they are very trusting of others.
The story was entertaining and full of imagery. It was very easy to read. It had short chapters and was a page turner. While it could have included more, I think it was simplified for the target audience.
I think that for those reasons children would enjoy this book a great deal. The words were descriptive and imaginative. I found it quite visual. Also there is the movie for children to watch after having read the book. This could be something incorporated in class. We can read the book as a class. We would work to determine the theme of the book and then watch the movie. I would have the children try to write down any differences they can find, comparing the two.
The story follows the magician Oscar who finds himself in Oz. He is thought to be the wizard that the land and creatures of Oz have long awaited. The beginning tells of how Oscar wasn't the most upstanding guy with whom you'd want to conduct business. Once in Oz he has to determine which of the characters he can trust. That is important within itself. I think that it serves a great lesson to children, as they are very trusting of others.
The story was entertaining and full of imagery. It was very easy to read. It had short chapters and was a page turner. While it could have included more, I think it was simplified for the target audience.
I think that for those reasons children would enjoy this book a great deal. The words were descriptive and imaginative. I found it quite visual. Also there is the movie for children to watch after having read the book. This could be something incorporated in class. We can read the book as a class. We would work to determine the theme of the book and then watch the movie. I would have the children try to write down any differences they can find, comparing the two.
January 3, 2015
It was a decent portrayal of the Oz universe, but I feel like it fails in comparison to other, more fleshed out ideas about how the Wizard came to be.
Attempting to look at this by itself, it really doesn't have much character development, lacks sufficient environmental details, and is really just confusing at times. For instance, water fairies are mentioned but then just as easily forgotten. I would have liked to know more about Oz or have it be explained more in detail. It's just really bland.
Attempting to look at this by itself, it really doesn't have much character development, lacks sufficient environmental details, and is really just confusing at times. For instance, water fairies are mentioned but then just as easily forgotten. I would have liked to know more about Oz or have it be explained more in detail. It's just really bland.
January 14, 2014
I just read an awesome book, Oz The Great and Powerful by Elizabeth Rudnick . The book begins with a guy named Oz who lived back when there was just black and white photos and of course he was a magician. The main character in this story is Oz. The best parts of this story is when he meets he meets Glinda and goes on a bunch of journeys and discover more about the land. I like this book because you don’t really know what happens next. If you like books journeys or a little bit of romantic in it then I recommend this book to you.
September 9, 2015
Nothing's impossible if you believe
Feels great to read the back story of the wonderful wizard of Oz---Oz the Great and Powerful. From being a magician at a circus at Kansas, a whirling tornado has brought him to the amazing and magical land of Oz. He was prophesied to be the wizard that will save the land from the wicked witches. Too bad the novel is too short, because I want to read more of the details of Oz's adventure.
This is another story that taught me that the greatest magic is the power of SCIENCE. AND this is a story where no one died in a battle. Amazing!
Feels great to read the back story of the wonderful wizard of Oz---Oz the Great and Powerful. From being a magician at a circus at Kansas, a whirling tornado has brought him to the amazing and magical land of Oz. He was prophesied to be the wizard that will save the land from the wicked witches. Too bad the novel is too short, because I want to read more of the details of Oz's adventure.
This is another story that taught me that the greatest magic is the power of SCIENCE. AND this is a story where no one died in a battle. Amazing!
March 24, 2016
The title of my book is Oz The Great and Powerful adapted by Elizabeth Rudnick. The genre of my book is fantasy. It has a witch, magic, gargoyles, and talking animals. Unlike other wizard of oz books this book for some reason does not have the lion, the tin can guy, or the scarecrow. The main character is Oz because the story/proficy is based around him.I would give this book four out of five stars. I would recommend this book to someone who likes fantasy or someone who like the wizard of Oz books.
March 24, 2013
This was such a great story. Even though it's a book based on the film script, I actually think the first half of the book was better than the first half of the movie. (The second half of the movie was better than the second half of the book though- the action sequences just played better on film.) There's a lot of interesting stuff about gender in this story. Also it's just great if you have any interest in The Wizard of Oz or any of its spin-off type stories. I hope they make another movie.
November 4, 2013
This book makes you laugh. The last part when they battle, it is like so awesome. The battle between Evanora, the wicked witch of the East wants to run away but Glinda, the good witch of the South doesn't let her. Glinda kills Evanora and Theodora, the wicked witch of the West who is the sister of Evanora, runs away from the palace.
March 9, 2013
Very good... going to see the movie later today and if the movie is anything like the book it will be grand !!! Excellent prequel to the Oz books and now I'm going to have to read those as well... a very satisfying read I would recommend to all ages !!!
March 13, 2013
I reaLly enjoyed the storyline of this book. It was a very easy read. My only complaint is that the book seemed to have slipped past the editors because there were so many mistakes with grammar, punctuation and even a full paragraph repeat. Otherwise, I enjoyed my reading.
April 8, 2013
this story was about a man called oscar who were a magician and he landed to the mystery island by hurricane. he was believed as a king in that island so he had to save the people by his magical power. I think it was a good book because I like adventure story.
November 6, 2014
loved the book and the film so creative and now one of my favorite books of all time and really ties the loose ends of how oz got there and how he became successful. Thank you Elizabeth for creating the best book ever.
February 24, 2013
I loved this book! It is a great book. Don't expect any lack of details, this book is one of my favorite
February 19, 2013
Can't wait for the movie!!
July 15, 2013
Didn't like it at all. Horrible.
March 5, 2013
Thrilling book with a few twists and surprises. I seriously cannot wait for this movie!
March 4, 2013
This book is amazing if you love action and adventure, than you would love this book.
March 14, 2013
Awesome book! Can't wait to see the movie!
March 29, 2013
I loved this book!!!! And the movie of course!! AMAZING!! But should have been at least 350 pages long!! There might be a second movie and a second book!! YAY YAY YAY
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews