Common Sense Media Review
By Sage Moreaux
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Swearing, sex, and moral complexity in engaging prequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Long before GALINDA became the "Good Witch" who helped Dorothy, she was just a young girl living in the countryside of Oz, with only kittens and the girl in the mirror as playmates. Her family, once wealthy, was beset by disaster and now lives on the outskirts of town in the old mill. But Galinda was too young when they lost everything to remember their former wealth. Her only concern is whether she'll be chosen as a lead dancer in her troupe; her only goal is to win the coveted princess tiara in the dance competition, and maybe to go to school. With a father distracted by business dealings and a distant if ladylike mother, and three brothers more often in the barn than home, Galinda is left to her own devices, that is until she finally convinces her parents to hire a tutor. Surrounded by things beyond her understanding, Galinda strives to find her place in the world. To figure out who's the real girl behind the pretty face.
Is It Any Good?
Complex and thought-provoking, this story tells a different tale than you'd expect if you're at all familiar with other versions of "the good witch." Galinda: A Charmed Childhood is just as layered as Gregory Maguire's other novels set in the land of Oz. The coming-of-age story of both Galinda and her brother Ham speaks to people who've experienced complex family and social dynamics and who've felt isolated in their youth.
While the pretty pink fairy princess of The Wizard of Oz and Wicked has her roots in this child, the book is written for adults and won't appeal to anyone who's seeking a lighthearted story. The complicated themes and morally complicated characters tell a deeper story of tenacity, disappointment, and the nature of thought.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Galinda's determination to go to school in Galinda: A Charmed Childhood. Why do you think the author chose to represent such a beloved character as a thoughtless, often ignored girl?
What do you think about the differences between the young version of Galinda in this book, the Wicked movie version of Glinda played by Ariana Grande, and Glinda from the original film The Wizard of Oz? How has the character changed over time? Which do you prefer? Why?
Why do you think the author also included Galinda's brother Ham in the story? How does his coming-of-age story differ from hers? What does this say about gender and family?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Adventures , Book Characters , Family Stories , Fantasy ( Magic )
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : William Morrow
- Publication date : September 29, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 18
- Number of pages : 272
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2026
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