The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

If you've ever stepped foot inside a library or a Barnes and Noble, then you know that there are a lot of books in the world. In fact, according to Google research, there are over 129 MILLION books out there. Even if you live to be 100, and were able to read the moment you were born, and you never slept, and you read one book EVERY MINUTE of your life (that's 1440 books per day), you still wouldn't be able to read them all.

Why am I telling you this? Because there are a lot of books I haven't read, and a lot of books you haven't read - and that's okay. Sometimes, though, the books I've missed seem genuinely worthwhile. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is one of those - a classic book I'd never gotten around to, but always wanted to read.

Essentials:

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
L. Frank Baum
Middle Grade

Books of Wonder: HarperCollins Publishers

2000 (copyright 1900)
267 pages (hardcover)

Even though the Wizard of Oz is famous largely due to the movie, I really hope it would be famous anyway. It was just about the sweetest book I've ever read! You know the story, obviously. A farm girl named Dorthoy and her dog Toto are swept up by a twister, and end up in the magical land of Oz, where they team up with a "brainless" scarecrow, a "heartless" tin woodman, and a "cowardly" lion, and together the group travel a yellow brick road to the Emerald City, to enlist the help of the great Wizard. Along the way, they encounter munchkins, witches, flying moneys, sleep-inducing poppies, and other adventures.

As is often the case, the movie leaves out a number of plot points and chacters. There are other differences as well.The Wicked Witch of the West is certainly a villain in the book, but she isn't as omnipresent as she is in the film. For example, the field of poppies isn't her handiwork in the book the way it is in the movie. It's just there. Maybe because the witch isn't as central, the book feels fairly episodic. Some scenes, such as one where the group travels through a city of little china-glass people, aren't at all connected to the rest of the tale. That's okay. Everything is so charming that I was perfectly happy to see where the yellow brick road would lead next.

The version I got was the 100th anniversary edition, with the original illustrations and bookplates. If you can get your hands on a copy, I definitely recommend it.

The last word: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a classic for good reason, offering a sweet tale of kindness and friendship in a fascinating world of magic. Though in some ways old fashioned, it remains readable today.

Grade: A-

Summertime Stories

Summer is a great season for reading. There are many, many books that make great summer reads, from classics to trendy paranormal romances to intense dystopias. Still, certain books have a stronger connection to the season. Certain books just seem to say summer. Here's a list of ten books - most tested classics - that capture that elusive summertime flavor.

Half Magic by Edward Eager, 1954. Middle Grade. Four children on summer vacation find a magic coin that makes thier wishes come true - but only halfway. This is a fun read, not to mention an enduring classic.

I Am the Messenger by Marcus Zusak, 2005. Young Adult. After capturing a bank robber, 19-year-old Ed Kennedy begins receiving mysterious messages that direct him to people in need of his help. Not my favorite book on the list, truth be told, but I was determined to include a guy-friendly YA pick.

Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry, 1947. Middle Grade. Paul and Maureen have their hearts set on owning the Phantom, a pony nobody can catch. Their efforts to break this record lead to a surprising discovery.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall, 2007. Middle Grade. Four sisters spend their summer at the beautiful Arundel estate, where they make friends with a boy named Jerrefy - but not with his snobby mother. This National Book Award winner reads like an old favorite.

Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran and Barbara Cooney, 1991. Picture Book. A group of children create their own town out of rocks and boxes in this beautifully illustrated book that perfectly captures the magic of childhood play. A personal favorite.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, 2003. Adult Fiction for teens. In the 1960s, Lily and her black stand-in mother Rosaleen escape from dangerous racists (and Lily's cruel father) in their southern town. They hide with a trio of beekeeping sisters, who may hold the secret to Lily's mother's death. A wonderful coming of age story, great for teens and adults alike.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Branchares, 2001. Young Adult. Four best friends spend their first summer apart, connected by a magical pair of jeans. Lena, Carmen, Tibby and Bridget grow in ways they never imagined in this absorbing coming of age novel. Really, truly excellent.

Summer at Forsaken Lake by Michael D. Biel, 2013. Middle Grade. Twelve-year-old NYC native Nicholas spends the summer in small town Michigan, where a new friend and a tantalizing mystery lead him on an adventure he never expected. A perfect summertime mystery.

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han, 2010. Young Adult. When "Belly" returns to the beach town where she spends every summer, she finds that the dynamics between her and the owner's two sons have shifted. A perfect beach read.

Thimble Summer by Elizabeth Enright, 1938. Middle Grade. Garnet, age nine, experiences the joys and challenges of summer on a Wisconsin farm during the Great Depression. An endearing glimpse into the past.

I've read all of the above books. What similar books are still on my reading list? Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright, Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen, and Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool.

I apologize for the lack of diversity on this list. Please let me know if you have any suggestions to bring a wider ranger of characters into play!