Celebrate Lit / June 5, 2026

A Hundred Magical Reasons

About the Book A Hundred Magical Reasons

Book: A Hundred Magical Reasons

Author: Laura DeNooyer

Genre: Biographical historical fiction, literary fiction, book club fiction

Release Date: January 7, 2025

Most fairy tales have happy endings, but is it too late for this one?

After all, Mrs Charlotte Rose Gordon, the disgruntled town recluse, is eighty-eight and has grown weary of fighting the dragons of her past—including the desire to clear her husband’s name of a 1918 crime.

Dragons of a different kind pursue Carrie Kruisselbrink.

During 1980, the summer of her private rebellion, Carrie defies parental expectations and pursues her café dream. While waiting for funding, she takes a job with Mrs Gordon.

As Mrs Gordon unfolds the story of her oppressive childhood and delightful friendship with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author, L. Frank Baum, Carrie never expects to encounter her own fears and soul-searching.

In this modern-day fairy tale that weaves between 1980 and the early 1900s, Mr Baum’s influence impacts each woman’s personal quests on a hero’s journey that neither anticipates.

Can Carrie and Mrs Gordon find common ground in battling their respective dragons?

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My Thoughts on A Hundred Magical Reasons

A Hundred Magical Reasons is a wonderful novel with two main heroines. Both have their own stories to tell, but they intertwine. I loved getting to know both of them and seeing how they each were able to help and heal the other.

As someone who loves reading books and has encouraged all of my children to read, I can’t imagine telling my child they can’t read but a scant handful of books. No fiction?! Life would be so boring without escaping into another world and experiencing things via reading, you would never see or do in real life. I was a shy and quiet child, and reading is how I gained tons of knowledge on subjects and places that I’ll never experience.

I loved watching The Wizard of Oz as a child.

My children haven’t enjoyed this one yet (going to have to remedy that), but they have seen the Veggie Tales version, and it’s adorable.

A particular time I can remember watching the movie was when I was at a state math contest the night before the event. I’d been told not to study or do any math, and this was playing. It was the first time I’d ever stayed in a hotel room.

I loved the interactions between Carrie and Charlotte and how they were able to help each other heal and move on in their lives. The childhood experience with the author was unique, and I enjoyed that as well.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

About the Author of A Hundred Magical Reasons

Laura DeNooyer thrives on creativity and encouraging it in others. A Calvin College graduate, she is a teacher, wife, parent of four adult children, and an award-winning author of heart-warming historical and contemporary fiction. Her novels are perfect for fans of Patti Callahan Henry, Erin Bartels, or Amanda Cox. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading, walking, drinking tea with friends, or taking a road trip.

More from Laura

Smitten!

That was me—smitten—after reading a biography about L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900). Baum was an innovative, larger-than-life personality—no surprise there, given that he created the Land of Oz.

He was also a family man with a keen understanding of children and a high regard for women. (His mother-in-law was a suffragist!) His humor and creativity gave him the capacity to bounce back from failure many times.

Having always wanted to write a novel set at the turn of the century, Baum fit perfectly into my plans.

Fun fact: The Baum family summered at the same lake where our family vacations yearly. Though we were at opposite ends of Lake Macatawa near Holland, Michigan—and opposite ends of the century—I felt a connection.

Unstoppable Imagination meets Doubt & Fear

Imagination plays a huge role in the story. My main character, Janie, is at odds with her rigid parents, who have no use for fiction, fantasy, or fairy tales. She is only allowed to read The New England Primer, The Pilgrim’s Progress, and the Bible. Then, eight-year-old Janie meets the inimitable L. Frank Baum, who stretches her imagination in every way possible. This is a major tension throughout the story.

This ties to 1980, when my protagonist Carrie wants to run a literary-themed café against her parents’ wishes. They have their own goals for her. As grown-up Janie (now eighty-eight-year-old Mrs Gordon) unveils her childhood troubles to Carrie, they both make startling discoveries.

Bonded by stories and baking Oz-inspired recipes, Carrie and Mrs Gordon’s intergenerational friendship gradually grows and deepens—one facing fears about her future, the other living with regrets about her past.

Brains, Heart, & Courage

Whether you’re an Oz fan or not, I believe you’ll enjoy getting to know L. Frank Baum. Besides getting the facts straight, I wanted to create his essence on the page so readers experience what it was like to sit on the Baums’ Macatawa porch with him, whether running a printing press or drinking lemonade.

Baum’s stories are all about stirring the child’s imagination, and that’s a key element of my novel. Since we’re all made in the Creator’s image, everybody is creative in their own way. I hope this story inspires readers to use their own imagination to pursue dreams.

But dreams only grow in the soil of confidence. As Mrs Gordon challenges Carrie, “Do you want to live by your passions or by your fears?” One of those fears is being yourself vs. wearing a mask.

Join the journey of two women who are hugely impacted by the wisdom, heart, and courage of the creator of Oz.