The Runaway in Oz

"The Runaway in Oz" (1995) is a previously unpublished Oz book by long-time Oz illustrator John R. Neill. It was written originally during 1943 and was meant to be the thirty-seventh book in the Oz series. However, Neill died before he could edit or illustrate the book. Oz publisher Reilly & Lee decided not to publish the book due to shortages caused by World War II. The text remained a possession of Neill's family until 1995.

In 1995, the book was published by Oz specialty house Books of Wonder with illustrations and editing and expansion by Eric Shanower. Another version exists, printed privately, with different editing by Fred M. Meyer, longtime Secretary of The International Wizard of Oz Club.

Plot summary

Scraps the Patchwork Girl feels bad because everyone ignores her while a group of Winkie dignitaries visits the Emerald City. She runs away on her spoolicle (a bicycle made of thread spools) and makes her way to Jinjur's Munchkin Country farm. Jinjur wants her to work, so Scraps leaves quickly.

Soon, the Patchwork Girl finds her way to Professor Wogglebug's Athletic College and accidentally sets the highly magnified insect's Air Castle afloat along with Alexample, a student at the Academy.

After escaping, Scraps meets Popla, the Power Plant, and they decide to run away together.

oz books
before=Merry Go Round in Oz
after=N/A
title=The Runaway in Oz
year=1995