Jack Pumpkinhead of Oz (Book 23)

By Ruth Plumly Thompson

Book Overview

Return to L. Frank Baum's wonderful world of Oz with this illustrated children's book series. Peter, the lad from Philadelphia, joins forces with Jack Pumpkinhead to rescue Ozma and the Emerald City from conquest by Mogodore, the infamous Red Baron of Baffleburg. Even with the help of Belfaygor of Bourne, whose beard grows at an alarming rate, and the consistently charming and rhyming Iffin--which, as everyone knows, is a griffin who's lost his grrrr --their efforts seem in vain. The horrendous Scare City, an enchanted pirate sack that can scoop up entire armies, a magic dinner bell, and a forbidden flagon are mixed up in the adventure, too--but it takes the legendary Red Jinn of Ev to provide the red magic that could help Jack Pumpkinhead save the Land of Oz. Praise for the Oz series "Where the young stay young and the old grow young forever--these books are for readers of all ages." --Ray Bradbury "The land of Oz has managed to fascinate each new generation. . . . The Oz books continue to exert their spell . . . and those who read them] are often made what they were not--imaginative, tolerant, alert to wonders." --Gore Vidal "I was raised with the Oz books, and their enchantment, humor and excitement remain with me. They are still a joy and a treasure. I welcome this Oz revival." --Stephen R. Donaldson

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345323602
• ISBN13: 9780345323606
• Release Date: September 1985
• Publisher: Random House Worlds
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.8"
• Age Range: 8 to 11 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 6

Customer Reviews

Jack Pumpkinhead finally gets a starring role

This book gives a major role to Jack Pumpkinhead, a character who never really had one in the Baum books. In this story, Jack must test the capacity of his pumpkin seed brains, and he really does come up with some clever ideas. With the help of the Red Jinn (who becomes a more important character in later books), he eventually manages to save all of Oz from a restless and ambitious baron. As is usual for Oz books, this one contains a lot of clever new creations, including an Iffin, a baron with a never-ending beard, and a runaway Christmas tree intent on finding new ornaments. There are also many new magical items, and some well-written sequences, including the description of the main characters' entrance into the fortress city of Baffleburg. While not one of the best or most important Oz books, it is definitely a fun read.