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A review by tayloramirab
The Road to Oz: Twists, Turns, Bumps, and Triumphs in the Life of L. Frank Baum by Kevin Hawkes, Kathleen Krull
Brief Review:
A fun biography for kids about the life of L. Frank Baum leading up his success from writing his beloved tale 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'. The illustrations in this book are incredible, and really help bring the book to life. The Wizard of Oz is a popular tale that most everyone is familiar with, but students may not realize where it came from.
Content areas:
This book is a quick read about an author in America that could be used to teach the basic components of a biography. Students could read this book before writing a biography of their own in an English class. This book could also be used in history, to help make a period of American History (post civil war, reconstruction) that can be somewhat boring, a bit more interesting.
Comprehension questions:
1: If Frank's father hadn't bought him and his brother a printing press, how do you think things would have turned out differently?
Answer: The printing press is what got Frank first writing and publishing pieces of work, they began as small family newspapers, and grew into his well known stories today. Without the access to the printing press, I do believe that he would still have become a successful author. He was incredibly driven, and it took him numerous times to finally be published. Having the printing press helped set him just a little bit ahead, and helped him realize that writing is really what he wanted with his life. Along with that, Frank gave the printing press to his own children when they were old enough, and without that he would not have bonded with his children over it.
2: What is the significance of the inspiration for the Emerald City?
Answer: The inspiration for the Emerald City was Chicago, also known as the White City. Frank and his family moved there and lived there for several years, while there he attended the Worlds Fair in 1893. While there, he was inspired by many of the attractions for his writing.
Wonders:
1: Of all the Oz books, which one was Frank's favorite?
2: Did any of Frank's children grow to be great writers as well?
A fun biography for kids about the life of L. Frank Baum leading up his success from writing his beloved tale 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'. The illustrations in this book are incredible, and really help bring the book to life. The Wizard of Oz is a popular tale that most everyone is familiar with, but students may not realize where it came from.
Content areas:
This book is a quick read about an author in America that could be used to teach the basic components of a biography. Students could read this book before writing a biography of their own in an English class. This book could also be used in history, to help make a period of American History (post civil war, reconstruction) that can be somewhat boring, a bit more interesting.
Comprehension questions:
1: If Frank's father hadn't bought him and his brother a printing press, how do you think things would have turned out differently?
Answer: The printing press is what got Frank first writing and publishing pieces of work, they began as small family newspapers, and grew into his well known stories today. Without the access to the printing press, I do believe that he would still have become a successful author. He was incredibly driven, and it took him numerous times to finally be published. Having the printing press helped set him just a little bit ahead, and helped him realize that writing is really what he wanted with his life. Along with that, Frank gave the printing press to his own children when they were old enough, and without that he would not have bonded with his children over it.
2: What is the significance of the inspiration for the Emerald City?
Answer: The inspiration for the Emerald City was Chicago, also known as the White City. Frank and his family moved there and lived there for several years, while there he attended the Worlds Fair in 1893. While there, he was inspired by many of the attractions for his writing.
Wonders:
1: Of all the Oz books, which one was Frank's favorite?
2: Did any of Frank's children grow to be great writers as well?