Emily of Oz
A Modern Version of the Wizard of OZ
by
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Just as Emily felt that she had had enough, Toto started barking at a door on the side of the room. Everyone ran over to see what the matter was. Toto began scratching furiously at the door. Emily opened the door slowly and saw a man wearing headphones and surrounded by monitors and buttons. He seemed to be controlling the floating head.
“Please ignore that man in the room! Look at me, the Wizard!” the voice boomed from the main room. The mysterious man pushed a barrage of buttons that shot pyrotechnics out of the floating head.
When the man looked behind him and saw that Emily and her friends were still standing there, he sighed, took off his headphones, and confessed, “All right! You caught me! I am the Wizard. No magic tricks, and no smoke and mirrors. The real Wizard!”
Emily was somewhat disappointed. “But why did you trick us?”
The Wizard shut the power off to the floating head, turned on the lights in the main chamber, and walked out of the small booth. “The reason why I put on this huge stage show was because I’m not really what you would call a wizard. I’m more of an ex-psychologist. You see, I’ve been helping people solve their personal and mental problems for years, but a long time ago I started to get tired of doing it, so I retired here where I could share all my knowledge with the people of Oz. I would really love to help you all.”
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About the Book
Emily of OZ is a wonderful story written as a modern adaption of the Wizard of OZ by Frank L. Baum by a 23 year old autistic young man. The story tells of Emily Wilkins, who is swept away from her Kansas home by a tornado to the land of of OZ where she meets The Scarecrow, The Tinman and The Cowardly Lion. There she must protect the "Sequined Crocs" from The Wicked Witch of The West and meet the Wizard so she can find her way back home. The themes and setting are similar but the insight revealed through the mind of this young author is incredible.
About the Author
Kyle Burns is a 23 year old gentleman with autism who has many talents including drawing and writing. Kyle attended the League School of Greater Boston a special needs school for students with autism spectrum disorders where he developed an interest in story writing. He has always had a vivid imagination and is now able to write out his stories with an interesting flair.
Following his graduation from The League School in May of 2008, he headed off to
He enjoys spending time with his parents, his sister Erin and brother-in-law Chris. His other interests are listening to music, especially “oldies” from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. He also enjoys reading about other countries, cultures and religions from around the world. Kyle also volunteers at the town library and at a senior assisted living facility in
Kyle is a very special person who is well liked by all that know him. He has a way of connecting and reaching out to people in a way that forms special bonds and lasting friendships with many people he has known over the years.