Summary: This short biography about the man who wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Lyman Frank Baums. It begins with his childhood and what interests he had as a young writer. His brother and him actually began a small newspaper on their own where they would write stories about their family. As he grew older he was involved in many different jobs. He wanted to be a performer originally but was never good enough to be casted in a part. He gave up that dream and went on to found his own company where he wrote his own plays and played his own parts as the lead. He wrote a book about hens which wasn’t successful when he started breeding chickens. He even dabbled in salesmanship and sold oil and kerosene lamps. Along his journey he met his wife at the age of 26, named Maud Gage, with whom he had four sons with. He worked hard each day trying to care for him family never accepting a dime from his rich family. He ran a small store that sold novelties and crafts for children. He wrote part time but every book turned out unsuccessful. One day, his mother pointed out to him that he should write down his fantasy stories that he told his children. He published his first book of fairytales called Adventures in Phunnyland which was also a failure. He kept a log of all of his book failures. Soon after he came up with the plot for his best seller, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which finally was published in 1900. He even built a house based on his novel for children to visit. He lived off of plays and a series adapted from the story until his death at 62.
Citation: Krull, K. (2008). The road to Oz: Twists, turns, bumps, and triumphs in the life of L. Frank Baum. New York, NY: Random House Children’s Books.
Impressions: In the module one of the questions about biographies was how appropriate or credible one should be according to age group. I believe that this book is perfect for the age group it was aimed at. It talks about the life of Baums but not too much into the more personal stories in his life. It’s main focus was how he came to write the bestselling novel of the century which was equivalent to Harry Potter books today. I think children who love novel or want to know more about the author will enjoy this book because although it is information it is entertaining. The illustrations do a great job depicting events and give it more of a personal feel. I also enjoyed how the book explains all the odd jobs Baums was employed at because each one seemed to become a piece of his novel. The ideas were taken from his real life and even though he was unsuccessful all of that time, in the end he accomplished what he dreamed of. It sends a great message to students to keep dreaming and pursuing what they want in life.
Reviews:
From Kirkus Reviews
With customary vivacity and a fine sense of irony, Krull portrays her subject as a genial family man who suffered reverse after reverse thanks to a bad combination of deep-seated optimism and zero business sense—but pulled through when his love of storytelling and sense of audience at last led to a novel that instantly became (she notes) the Harry Potter of its day. She does mention Baum’s anti-American Indian screeds, but in general tells a brisk, admiring tale that mirrors the tone of his talespinning—aptly illustrated by Hawkes’s scenes of a frail, dapper looking gent, generally sporting a smile beneath a bushy mustache and gazing abstractedly into the distance. An admirable companion to Krull’s Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up To Become Dr. Seuss (2004), this profile not only provides a similarly illuminating peek beneath the authorial curtain, but leaves readers understanding just how groundbreaking The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was, as an adventure story with both a female protagonist and no overwhelming Moral Lesson. (afterword, booklists) (Picture book/biography. 9-11)
Kirkus associates. Review. (2008). Kirkus Reviews Online. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/kathleen-krull/the-road-to-oz/#review.
From Kirkus Reviews
From Booklist
Despite the enduring popularity of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, there are few titles about L. Frank Baum published for youth. Krull’s new picture-book biography, then, is particularly welcome, and it displays Krull’s usual stylistic strengths: a conversational tone, well-integrated facts, vivid anecdotes, and sly asides that encourage children to find the human qualities in a historical figure. Beginning with Baum’s pampered youth, Krull moves forward through his early adult years, when he flailed in a variety of jobs before finally writing his famous first book about Oz, which he based on bedtime stories he created for his children. Krull gives a balanced account, emphasizing Baum’s creative gifts and his talents for nurturing his family while frankly referencing his less-admirable traits, such as his prejudice against Native Americans. Hawkes’ ink-and-acrylic illustrations are uneven, with some figures appearing blurred and hurriedly rendered, but the brightly colored compositions do support the sense of Baum as a multifaceted, fascinating individual. An author’s note, sources, and a list of Baum’s works conclude this entertaining, lively portrait. Grades 2-5. --
Engberg, G. (2008). Review of The Road to Oz: Twists, Turns, Bumps, and Triumphs in the Life of L. Frank Baum. Booklist. retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com/The-Road-to-Oz-Twists-Turns-Bumps-and-Triumphs-in-the-Life-of-L-Frank-Baum-Kathleen-Krull/pid=273815
Suggestions: I think this story is inspirational and could be grouped with other inspirational famous figures. Students can read these stories and use them to define their own dreams. A small shelf could be rotated throughout the year displaying each of the inspirational figures. 
