Wayside School is Falling Down [Paperback]

Louis Sachar (Author), Adam McCauley (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 28, 2004 | Series: Wayside School

The extraordinary thirty-story school and its zany inhabitants are back in the long-awaited sequel to the classic SIDEWAYS STORIES FROM WAYSIDE SCHOOL, one of the most popular Camelot books ever.

The extraordinary thirty-story school and its zany inhabitants are back in the long-awaited sequel to the classic SIDEWAYS STORIES FROM WAYSIDE SCHOOL, one of the most popular Camelot books ever. "Rib-tickling...sure-to-please..."-Kirkus

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The wacky school--and unusual characters--first portrayed in Sideways Stories from Wayside School is back. But in the sequel, the students venture further than they dared before--Myron walks down to the basement, Allison finds the nonexistent 29th floor, Mrs. Jewls drops a brand-new computer from the 30th floor, Jenny reads a story backwards, and a substitute teacher turns the tables on the class. Sachar has written 30 tongue-in-cheek, slightly madcap stories that are sure to appeal to the slightly caustic humor that is typical of middle readers. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-- Wayside School is 30 stories high with only one room on each floor. On the top floor is Mrs. Jewls' class, where order has been abandoned in favor of nonsense and silliness. Each of the 30 stories in this collection features an unusual vignette or character sketch. The stories are only loosely tied together, and many have a shaggy dog quality. While adult readers may be left quizzical, children who relish the ridiculous will enjoy themselves tremendously. With bad puns, extended jokes, and an irreverent attitude, Sachar keeps his readers amused. This is a sequel to Sideways Stories from Wayside School (Scholastic, 1988). --Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (December 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380731509
• ISBN-13: 978-0380731503
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,652 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

author spotlight
Newbery Award-winning author Louis Sachar is the creator of the entertaining Marvin Redpost books as well as the much-loved There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom, winner of 17 child-voted state awards.

Louis Sachar's book Holes, winner of the 1999 Newbery Medal, the National Book Award, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, is also an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, an ALA Quick Pick, an ALA Notable Book, and was made into a major motion picture.

A Few Words From Louis Sachar
Of all the characters from Holes, why did you choose to revisit Armpit in SMALL STEPS?
LS: I tend to write about underdogs. It seemed to me that life would be tough for an African-American teenager from a low-income family with a criminal record. Especially someone stuck with the name, "Armpit."
Although this new book is about a character from Holes, the two books are very different. How would you explain to a fan of Holes what to expect from SMALL STEPS?
LS: I can't. I'm no good at describing my books. Holes has been out now for seven years, and I still can't come up with a good answer when asked what that book is about.
Could you imagine future novels about any of the other boys?
Do you think about what Stanley is up to now?
LS: I don't think too much about Stanley or Zero. I left them in a good place. Although money doesn't bring happiness, or give meaning to someone's life, the problems Stanley and Zero face now (and I'm sure they do face many problems) are less interesting than those faced by someone like Armpit.
Plenty of teenagers fantasize about what it would be like to be a young rock star.
You portray it as lonely. Tell us about that decision.
LS: The media tends to portray the teenage world as one where drinking and sex is taken for granted. In fact, I think most teenagers don't drink, are unsure of themselves, and feel awkward around members of the opposite sex. I thought it was important to show Kaira, a rock star no less, as such a person. Her situation, in many ways, is made more difficult as she has no social contact with anyone her age. She is trapped in a world of agents, record producers, and hanger-ons.
I'm imagining that off all the books you've written, Holes is the one that has changed your life the most. Not only did it win the Newbery Medal, it's also simply a popular sensation. Is this assessment accurate? What is this novel's continuing impact on your life? Would you consider it the book that you are proudest of?
LS: Not counting Small Steps, I think Holes is my best book, in terms of plot, and setting, and the way the story revealed itself. It hasn't changed my life, other than that I have more money than I did before I wrote it. I'm still too close to Small Steps to compare it to Holes.
Why do you typically write only two hours each day?
LS: Small steps. Every time I start a new novel it seems like an impossible undertaking. If I tried to do too much too quickly, I would get lost and feel overwhelmed. I have to go slow, and give things a chance to take form and grow.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wayside School is Falling Down, May 11, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Wayside School is Falling Down (Paperback)

Do you like action, comedy, laughs, and good times? If you do then read Wayside School is Falling Down by Louis Sachar. It's about the funny and strange things that happen in Wayside school. It's one of the funniest books I have ever read.

An example of one of the funny moments was when the author wrote a whole chapter backwards! I realized the chapter was backwards after I read it forwards. What was especially interesting and funny though was that the girl in the chapter does everything backwards.

Another funny instance is that the school is thirty floors high. What's even funnier is there is only one classroom on each floor! Also there is no nineteenth floor. A different funny thing is in another chapter a girl goes on the nineteenth floor even though there isn't one.

I enjoyed the book very much. It was funny and each chapter wasn't long. You should read this book if you don't like reading. This is because it is almost like reading a book of jokes. It's not long and it's funny. You should read this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wayside School is falling down, February 14, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Wayside School is Falling Down (Paperback)

Wayside School is Falling Down by Louis Sachar

Wayside School is Falling Down by Louis
Sachar is about all the things that happen to all the
kids in Mrs. Jewls class. If you like strange
stories this is the book for you . It is a collection
of stories. The school is built sideways and there's
no nineteenth story!
I recommend this book because the theme is
wacky. If you have a taste for humorous stories
read this book. A few chapters are really
confusing, but you get over it. There are other
books about Wayside School . I also recommend
them.
I feel Lois Sacher wrote this book to
bring laughs into the world.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious and should be read with your kids!, July 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Wayside School is Falling Down (Paperback)

This book is down-right funny. Goofy even! I think it is one of the funnier, insane books for kids out there. Each chapter brings a whole new meaning to fun as you read about all the students in Mrs. Jewls's class. Trust me when I say you will love it! If you really want to have a good time while reading a book, this one is for you.