A Whole Lot of Wayne [Paperback]

David McRobbie (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Wayne has a vivid imagination, an optimistic approach to life, and a best friend named Squocka. On the first day of school, he gets a "T" for troublemaker marked next to his name because bully Kevin Merry tricks him into accepting the blame for Kevin’s mess. That "T" haunts Wayne for the rest of his life. His adventures—with Kevin, Squocka, Fat Cat, and Violet Pridmore—are told in this collection of 25 humorous stories. Delightfully familiar, Wayne offers an entertaining snapshot of school and family told through the eyes of a preadolescent boy.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up—McRobbie thoroughly entertains readers with this charming and heartwarming collection of stories starring Wayne Wilson. Accompanied by his friend Squocka Berrington, the teen finds himself in a variety of hilarious and oftentimes precarious situations. Whether he is rescuing his grandfather's false teeth from his teacher's dog or negotiating with the school bully, Wayne's clever and optimistic voice always puts a funny spin on his antics. His active imagination is grounded by his supportive and somewhat eccentric family. Complemented by well-drawn supporting characters, Wayne clumsily navigates his way through the world of girls, employment, and school. While his initial charm is derived from his mischievous behavior and quick wit, readers will also be drawn in by his kind and perceptive nature. Although the collection is separated into 25 different stories, the narratives are unified by recurring characters and linear plotlines that help the compilation read like a novel. McRobbie's background in children's television programming is evident from his ability to create quick, entertaining snapshots of the lives of his characters. While many of the Australian colloquialisms will be foreign to American students, they don't prevent accessibility to the dialogue or the mood of the story. Many readers will relate to Wayne's honest and unique perspective. Recommend this one to readers who liked David Lubar's Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie (Dutton, 2005).—Lynn Rashid, Marriots Ridge High School, Marriotsville, MD
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Review

"McRobbie thoroughly entertains readers with this charming and heartwarming collection of stories."  —School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Allen & Unwin (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1741752442
• ISBN-13: 978-1741752441
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,525,108 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)