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a_chickletz's review against another edition
4.0
I remember the first time I read a Wayside School story. I was in the second grade and the book 'Wayside School is Falling Down' had already been out, but it was being showcased in a Schoolastic Book ad that they give you at school. I told my mother I wanted it and then she kindly purchased it for me.
The book was like the humor/language of The Goonies, where the kids had this snarky edge but acting like kids. Yet there was this strange mystical / supernatural edge. It was during the book that I also realized that there was references to things that had happened that I realized there was a first book that had come out. I quickly found that and read it too. Then when the third book came out I read that as well.
So imagine my surprise when I discovered a new book was being released. I quickly snatched it up and read it...
I honestly want to give this book three stars but I'm giving it a 4 because the characters are there, it just feels... short and incomplete.
This is apparently the longest of the books but the text is SUPER HUGE. Did Louis Sachar think the kids of today don't have a strong attention span to read? Why are the chapters so short? Why is there little dialogue? Why are the scenes so exempt from character development? What happened to the things we learned in book three?
Louis' girlfriend shows up briefly for a cameo (remember the substitute teacher with the extra ear?), remember Mrs. Zarves and the class that never was? (they show up, and so does that note that Mrs. Jewls meant for Myron to give to her does too), there is mention of Mrs. Gorf but nothing beyond that.
The book has an overall arc, but it is hindered by the lack of writing and or development. When I finished it I felt happy but also upset that it was like edited version of the books from my childhood.
So if you're nostalgic like me, read the book and enjoy the characters but if you're looking for a satisfying book 4 you may feel cheated.
The book was like the humor/language of The Goonies, where the kids had this snarky edge but acting like kids. Yet there was this strange mystical / supernatural edge. It was during the book that I also realized that there was references to things that had happened that I realized there was a first book that had come out. I quickly found that and read it too. Then when the third book came out I read that as well.
So imagine my surprise when I discovered a new book was being released. I quickly snatched it up and read it...
I honestly want to give this book three stars but I'm giving it a 4 because the characters are there, it just feels... short and incomplete.
This is apparently the longest of the books but the text is SUPER HUGE. Did Louis Sachar think the kids of today don't have a strong attention span to read? Why are the chapters so short? Why is there little dialogue? Why are the scenes so exempt from character development? What happened to the things we learned in book three?
Louis' girlfriend shows up briefly for a cameo (remember the substitute teacher with the extra ear?), remember Mrs. Zarves and the class that never was? (they show up, and so does that note that Mrs. Jewls meant for Myron to give to her does too), there is mention of Mrs. Gorf but nothing beyond that.
The book has an overall arc, but it is hindered by the lack of writing and or development. When I finished it I felt happy but also upset that it was like edited version of the books from my childhood.
So if you're nostalgic like me, read the book and enjoy the characters but if you're looking for a satisfying book 4 you may feel cheated.
elvenavari's review against another edition
4.0
The moment I started reading this I was transported back to my 2nd/3rd grade class where my teacher, Mrs. Kelly, first read us the Wayside books. I remembered how funny and quirky and down right odd the characters and situations were. But I loved it all the more for that. I giggled more than once.
renatasnacks's review against another edition
4.0
I recently re-read the first Wayside School book and I was like, wow this holds up and still feels basically relevant?? So a new one just felt like stepping back into a pair of comfortable slippers. There was no effort made to "modernize" this because it didn't need it. Also wow a book about a Cloud of Doom coming out in March 2020........prescient.
asmaa_arqawi's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
s_hay's review against another edition
5.0
The stories from Wayside school continue. Even though the book is written nearly 30 years after the originals the stories continue with the same cast of wacky characters. A cloud of doom is forming over Wayside school and things are getting weirder than usual. Students are acting funny and Miss Zarves makes and appearance.
Good for ages 7 and up.
Good for ages 7 and up.
nematome's review against another edition
4.0
My 11-year-old child and I listened to Louis Sachar's fantastic narration of this a bit at a time each day, and it brought back so many memories of reading these books when my children were small. This new installment has the same absurdity, the same biting commentary (I loved the three-day-long "ultimate test" where kids had to remember everything they'd ever learned, including the history of cabbages), and even some poignant moments.
The new story also takes place as the children are living under an extremely large "cloud of doom" and constantly expecting the worst to happen. This so closely reflected our own present circumstances that this book ended up being a huge comfort on some days.
“Someday, the Cloud of Doom will be gone, and the world will be a much better place, even better than before the Cloud. Colors will be more colorful. Music will be more musical. Even Miss Mush's food will taste good. The bigger the storm, the brighter the rainbow.”
The new story also takes place as the children are living under an extremely large "cloud of doom" and constantly expecting the worst to happen. This so closely reflected our own present circumstances that this book ended up being a huge comfort on some days.
“Someday, the Cloud of Doom will be gone, and the world will be a much better place, even better than before the Cloud. Colors will be more colorful. Music will be more musical. Even Miss Mush's food will taste good. The bigger the storm, the brighter the rainbow.”
rystou's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0