If you're looking for a simple trip back to the Emerald City, Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz might surprise you. This fourth book in the series takes a detour—straight down.

The Story

Dorothy is visiting her cousin Zeb in California when an earthquake opens a crack in the ground. She, Zeb, his cab horse Jim, and her kitten Eureka tumble into the Earth's core. They land in the Valley of Voe, a place with invisible people, and then the Mangaboo country—a kingdom of living, growing vegetable people. These aren't friendly veggies. They're cold, logical, and see our surface-world heroes as freaks. Luckily, the Wizard of Oz arrives in his balloon, having gotten lost on his own journey. Together, they face off against the Mangaboos, escape through a tunnel of dragons, and bounce between strange lands, all while trying to find a path back to sunny Kansas. The plot is basically a chase sequence through one bizarre setting after another, with the familiar comfort of Oz waiting at the end of the road.

Why You Should Read It

This book is Baum at his most playful and inventive. The Mangaboos are a brilliant, creepy creation—beings who grow on plants and consider emotion a flaw. The dynamic between the practical Zeb, the kind-hearted Dorothy, and the sometimes-fraudulent-but-always-trying Wizard is really fun. Jim the cab horse provides constant, grumpy commentary. It's not as focused on a single quest as the first book; it's more of a rollercoaster through a dream. Some parts are genuinely suspenseful (those dragon tunnels!), and others are just silly in the best way. It shows that Oz isn't just one place, but the center of a whole universe of wonders and dangers.

Final Verdict

This is a must-read for fans who loved the weirdness of Oz and want to see Baum's imagination run completely free. It's perfect for readers who enjoy fast-paced adventures that don't take themselves too seriously, and for anyone who's ever wondered what's at the center of the Earth (hint: it's weirder than you think). If you're new to the series, maybe start with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but come back for this one when you're ready for a truly unexpected journey.