Common Sense Media Review
By Sage Moreaux
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Epic Wicked Witch origin story has violence, some sex.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 12 parent reviews
Based on 17 kid reviews
Kids say the book diverges significantly from its musical adaptation, leading to strong reactions due to its mature themes and graphic content. While some praise its depth and moral complexities, many recommend it strictly for older readers, asserting that it is inappropriate for those under 18 due to its explicit references and darker themes.
- mature content
- inappropriate for kids
- diverges from musical
- strong moral themes
- mixed reactions
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
WICKED tells the story of Elphaba, a little green-skinned girl later known as the Wicked Witch of the West. Beginning before her birth, the story takes place in an Oz where talking animals hope for equal rights, where political and social unrest plague the lands, and where the Wizard rules with an iron fist. Growing up as the only kid with green skin in Munchkinland isn't easy, and prickly, smart Elphaba struggles to make sense of an unfair world. While attending Shiz University, she meets Glinda, a spoiled girl with an eye on social climbing. They become uneasy allies, but as life takes them in different directions, Elphaba finds herself torn between what is right—and what is possible.
Is It Any Good?
Beautifully written, this story is a fantastical adventure in a world both familiar and totally strange. Examining some of literature's major themes, Wicked delves into moral ambiguity, the nature of evil, civil rights, sexism, racism, and more. The story is rich, with a subtle sense of humor and a powerful, thought-provoking heroine. It's easy to find parallels between the social, political, and religious overtones of Gregory Maguire's version of Oz and our own human history, which makes the story, and characters, resonate so deeply that it's hard to put down.
Maguire has taken the original world of Oz and teased it apart, using the beloved details of the classic, such as the yellow brick road and the ruby slippers, and turned them on their head, resulting in a masterpiece of high fantasy. That said, Wicked was written for adults and has more violence, sex, and other mature content that's better suited for older teens than the musical and movie, which younger audiences can enjoy. Although it's great as a stand-alone read, there are three more books in the series that expand this version of enchanting Oz.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the morally ambiguous characters in Wicked. Do you think it is satisfying to see moral ambiguity represented? Most characters make questionable choices throughout. What are some different choices the characters might have made?
How does Elphaba's green skin affect her life? What are the rewards and drawbacks of being different, both in Oz and in the real world?
After reading the book, how do the book and movie or musical (if you've seen one of them) differ? What elements were left out of the musical or film? Why do you think the story was changed?
Themes in this book include the nature of good and evil, political unrest, the rights of animals, and the very nature of the soul. How are these deep themes communicated through the storyline? What similarities do you notice between the trials the people of Oz face and those in human history?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Character Strengths : Compassion
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : William Morrow
- Publication date : September 29, 1995
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 480
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : February 19, 2026
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