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nothingforpomegranted's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Read this as a potential book for our project about rules, boundaries, and choices. I think it could be a good fit for discussions, and the short story style feels great for the beginning of the year—it’s silly, relatively accessible, and easy to squeeze in for discussions. I think I would skip the chapter about the three Erics (no need to get into the comments about Fatso), but I would be happy to read the rest. Chapter 19 is funny—it doesn’t exist because there is no nineteenth story in the school.
Quite a few chapters review explicit rules about how to behave and other could lead to great discussions about implicit rules and boundaries. Paul pulling Leslie’s pigtails is great for personal space. Joy blaming other people is an important lesson in anarchy. The final chapter is a funny one about perspective. The chapter about Dameon smiling is a lovely lesson about choosing happiness. The final chapter+the introduction emphasize perspective.
Quite a few chapters review explicit rules about how to behave and other could lead to great discussions about implicit rules and boundaries. Paul pulling Leslie’s pigtails is great for personal space. Joy blaming other people is an important lesson in anarchy. The final chapter is a funny one about perspective. The chapter about Dameon smiling is a lovely lesson about choosing happiness. The final chapter+the introduction emphasize perspective.
graeae's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Animal cruelty
Minor: Cannibalism
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
3.0
My youngest daughter loves these books. As soon as we finished she said, “Next we’re doing Under a Cloud of Doom!”. So it’s on to another one.
cephas's review against another edition
4.0
Fond memories reading this in elementary school. The short chapters, each being a self contained story, is a strength for younger readers.
nicolelovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Funny and irreverent, I remember enjoying this as a kid, and boy was it well-received by the 2nd-grade class I read it to. There is definitely some out-of-date/inappropriate language (I skipped one chapter that was a little to heavy/offensive on the fat comments for a class readaloud), but I think this is still a fun one for kids overall due to its zany silliness.
bunnyprints's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
jackobotts's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
fandom4ever's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I remember reading the Wayside School series numerous times when I was a kid. I love Louis Sachar’s writing. I saw Sideways Stories from Wayside School (the first in the series) among my other books and I thought I’d re-read it again now as an adult. It did not disappoint. The humor still resonates no matter your age. I still love the idea of a 30-floor school with one class on every floor instead of a one-story tall building with 30 classrooms.