Scan barcode
A review by a_chickletz
Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom by Louis Sachar
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.