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Wombat Waiting: A Middle Grade Novel in Verse about Dogs and Animals, for Kids
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Expected 5 May 26Win a free print copy of this book!
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From the Newbery Award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The One and Only Ivan and Odder comes a stunning new middle grade standalone novel about compassion, resilience, and surprising friendships, following a dog named Wombat in the aftermath of a catastrophic fire.
Wombat isn’t actually a wombat—but when the homeless dog is discovered, singed and ash-covered after a terrible fire destroys a community, someone tags her with the nickname and it sticks.
Wombat is a “destiny dog.” Something inside of her (she nicknames it “Voice’) keeps telling her there’s a special someone out there who is meant to be her person.
Surrounded by a devastated town, Wombat takes up residence on bench near the makeshift community center, an old brick warehouse that, for the most part, survived the flames. A small part of the community center evacuation site has been repurposed for the local wildlife rehab sanctuary that burned down. All of the animals were spared, and the temporary quarters include an elderly fruit bat and a young Northern saw-whet owl.
No matter what, Wombat refuses to move from her perch, despite the efforts of many humans. Clearly the dog is waiting for someone. But for whom? And what are the odds they survived?
Fans of modern classics like Because of Winn-Dixie , Pax , and Katherine Applegate’s own Crenshaw and Odder, and timeless tales like Charlotte ’ s Web , will find a friend in Wombat and her story.
Wombat isn’t actually a wombat—but when the homeless dog is discovered, singed and ash-covered after a terrible fire destroys a community, someone tags her with the nickname and it sticks.
Wombat is a “destiny dog.” Something inside of her (she nicknames it “Voice’) keeps telling her there’s a special someone out there who is meant to be her person.
Surrounded by a devastated town, Wombat takes up residence on bench near the makeshift community center, an old brick warehouse that, for the most part, survived the flames. A small part of the community center evacuation site has been repurposed for the local wildlife rehab sanctuary that burned down. All of the animals were spared, and the temporary quarters include an elderly fruit bat and a young Northern saw-whet owl.
No matter what, Wombat refuses to move from her perch, despite the efforts of many humans. Clearly the dog is waiting for someone. But for whom? And what are the odds they survived?
Fans of modern classics like Because of Winn-Dixie , Pax , and Katherine Applegate’s own Crenshaw and Odder, and timeless tales like Charlotte ’ s Web , will find a friend in Wombat and her story.
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 5, 2026
11 people are currently reading
5209 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Applegate
277 books6,401 followers#1 New York Times bestselling author Katherine Applegate has written many books for young readers, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal.
Katherine’s picture books include THE BUFFALO STORM, illustrated by Jan Ormerod (Clarion Books); THE REMARKABLE TRUE STORY OF IVAN, THE SHOPPING MALL GORILLA, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Clarion Books); SOMETIMES YOU FLY, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt (Clarion Books); and ODDER: AN OTTER’S STORY, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Feiwel & Friends).
She’s written or co-written three early chapter series for young readers: ROSCOE RILEY RULES, a seven-book series illustrated by Brian Biggs (HarperCollins); DOGGO AND PUPPER, a three-book series illustrated by Charlie Alder (Feiwel & Friends). With Gennifer Choldenko, she co-authored DOGTOWN and MOUSE AND HIS DOG, illustrated by Wallace West (Feiwel & Friends).
Books for middle-grade readers include HOME OF THE BRAVE (Feiwel & Friends); THE ONE AND ONLY series, illustrated by Patricia Castelao, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, THE ONE AND ONLY BOB, THE ONE AND ONLY RUBY, and THE ONE AND ONLY FAMILY (HarperCollins); the ENDLING trilogy (HarperCollins); CRENSHAW (Feiwel & Friends); WISHTREE (Feiwel & Friends); WILLODEEN (Feiwel & Friends); ODDER (Feiwel & Friends); and the forthcoming POCKET BEAR (Feiwel & Friends).
With her husband, Michael Grant, Katherine co-wrote ANIMORPHS, a long-running series that has sold over 35 million books worldwide. They also wrote two other series, REMNANTS and EVERWORLD, and a young adult novel, EVE AND ADAM (Feiwel & Friends.)
Katherine’s work has been translated into dozens of languages, and her books have won accolades including the Christopher Medal, the Golden Kite Award, the Bank Street Josette Frank Award, the California Book Award Gold Medal, the Crystal Kite Award, the Green Earth Book Honor Award, the Charlotte Zolotow Honor Award, and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award. Many of her works have appeared on state master lists, Best of the Year lists, and Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and New York Times bestseller lists.
Katherine lives in Nevada with her husband and assorted pets. She is represented by Elena Giovinazzo at Heirloom Literary and Mary Pender at WME.
Katherine’s picture books include THE BUFFALO STORM, illustrated by Jan Ormerod (Clarion Books); THE REMARKABLE TRUE STORY OF IVAN, THE SHOPPING MALL GORILLA, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Clarion Books); SOMETIMES YOU FLY, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt (Clarion Books); and ODDER: AN OTTER’S STORY, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Feiwel & Friends).
She’s written or co-written three early chapter series for young readers: ROSCOE RILEY RULES, a seven-book series illustrated by Brian Biggs (HarperCollins); DOGGO AND PUPPER, a three-book series illustrated by Charlie Alder (Feiwel & Friends). With Gennifer Choldenko, she co-authored DOGTOWN and MOUSE AND HIS DOG, illustrated by Wallace West (Feiwel & Friends).
Books for middle-grade readers include HOME OF THE BRAVE (Feiwel & Friends); THE ONE AND ONLY series, illustrated by Patricia Castelao, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, THE ONE AND ONLY BOB, THE ONE AND ONLY RUBY, and THE ONE AND ONLY FAMILY (HarperCollins); the ENDLING trilogy (HarperCollins); CRENSHAW (Feiwel & Friends); WISHTREE (Feiwel & Friends); WILLODEEN (Feiwel & Friends); ODDER (Feiwel & Friends); and the forthcoming POCKET BEAR (Feiwel & Friends).
With her husband, Michael Grant, Katherine co-wrote ANIMORPHS, a long-running series that has sold over 35 million books worldwide. They also wrote two other series, REMNANTS and EVERWORLD, and a young adult novel, EVE AND ADAM (Feiwel & Friends.)
Katherine’s work has been translated into dozens of languages, and her books have won accolades including the Christopher Medal, the Golden Kite Award, the Bank Street Josette Frank Award, the California Book Award Gold Medal, the Crystal Kite Award, the Green Earth Book Honor Award, the Charlotte Zolotow Honor Award, and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award. Many of her works have appeared on state master lists, Best of the Year lists, and Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and New York Times bestseller lists.
Katherine lives in Nevada with her husband and assorted pets. She is represented by Elena Giovinazzo at Heirloom Literary and Mary Pender at WME.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
February 27, 2026
Cute story about a dog finding her people and helping through wildfires. The story works through the feelings of losing everything but finding hope in the people around you.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
A small dog in California has been on her own on the streets since her mother and siblings were lost to cars, and she is just trying to get by. When there are wildfires in the area, she hears a voice in her head telling to go towards the fire rather than away from it. Another dog, Silas, tells her that she is a "destiny dog" and might eventually meet her person, so she continues to follow the voice. There is a stunned owlet she meets along the way, and she manages to get the bird to hop onto a stick so she can carry him away from the fire. We also meet Henry, a boy who is preparing to leave his home along with his younger sister, Sylvie, his two mothers, and older neighbors. They all go to a shelter. Mama Ro works for the Orphaned Wild Life organization (OWL), and the animals from OWL are also brought to the shelter. When the dog sees Henry, she is delighted, and greets him enthusiastically. Henry, however, was bitten as a child and is wary of dogs. He does name her Wombat, since there are some similarities in appearance. Wombat camps out on a bench and just waits for Henry to pay her some attention. When he leaves, Wombat talks with one of the OWL rescues, a bat named Barnabus, and tells him that Henry is her destiny. She won't move from the bench, and while she doesn't want to interact with others, spends a lot of time comforting people and even being "canine Kleenex", soaking up human pain. Henry and his family return to their home only to find it gone. Nothing of Henry's survives. When he returns to the shelter, he and Wombat finally click, and plans are made to adopt Wombat when Henry's family finally gets a home.
Strengths: Wombat and Henry's stories are told in poems that, while free verse, are actually poetic. There's great use of figurative language and imagery. The idea of a "destiny dog" will appeal to readers who are fond of canines, and Wombat's patient vigil to wait for Henry is very sweet. The fact that it is based on Hachiko, a dog who waiting at a train station for his owner to come back for years after the man died, is the reason behind the statue of Wombat on a bench when the community rebuilds. There is a nice range of human and animal characters to give some depth to the novel, as well as some moments of humor during a bleak time. Jennifer Bricking's pencil sketches are adorable, and have a bit of a Garth Williams feel to them. I can see this being tremendously popular as a class read aloud in elementary schools.
Weaknesses: I'm not usually a fan of books from animals' perspectives, and am not a sentimental person at all, so this was not a personal favorite. It was well written and charming, and I can see why people recommend having tissues at hand when reading it, so it was not a personal favorite.
What I really think: While there have been an increasing number of stories about family's escaping wildfires and having to rebuild (from Tashjian's more humorous My Life as a Meme to Bard's graphic novel Wildfire to Baron's novel in verse Spark), Wombat and Henry's story was a bit gentler and more hopeful. It would not hurt my feelings if this won a Newbery award, but it does seem a little young for my middle school audience.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
A small dog in California has been on her own on the streets since her mother and siblings were lost to cars, and she is just trying to get by. When there are wildfires in the area, she hears a voice in her head telling to go towards the fire rather than away from it. Another dog, Silas, tells her that she is a "destiny dog" and might eventually meet her person, so she continues to follow the voice. There is a stunned owlet she meets along the way, and she manages to get the bird to hop onto a stick so she can carry him away from the fire. We also meet Henry, a boy who is preparing to leave his home along with his younger sister, Sylvie, his two mothers, and older neighbors. They all go to a shelter. Mama Ro works for the Orphaned Wild Life organization (OWL), and the animals from OWL are also brought to the shelter. When the dog sees Henry, she is delighted, and greets him enthusiastically. Henry, however, was bitten as a child and is wary of dogs. He does name her Wombat, since there are some similarities in appearance. Wombat camps out on a bench and just waits for Henry to pay her some attention. When he leaves, Wombat talks with one of the OWL rescues, a bat named Barnabus, and tells him that Henry is her destiny. She won't move from the bench, and while she doesn't want to interact with others, spends a lot of time comforting people and even being "canine Kleenex", soaking up human pain. Henry and his family return to their home only to find it gone. Nothing of Henry's survives. When he returns to the shelter, he and Wombat finally click, and plans are made to adopt Wombat when Henry's family finally gets a home.
Strengths: Wombat and Henry's stories are told in poems that, while free verse, are actually poetic. There's great use of figurative language and imagery. The idea of a "destiny dog" will appeal to readers who are fond of canines, and Wombat's patient vigil to wait for Henry is very sweet. The fact that it is based on Hachiko, a dog who waiting at a train station for his owner to come back for years after the man died, is the reason behind the statue of Wombat on a bench when the community rebuilds. There is a nice range of human and animal characters to give some depth to the novel, as well as some moments of humor during a bleak time. Jennifer Bricking's pencil sketches are adorable, and have a bit of a Garth Williams feel to them. I can see this being tremendously popular as a class read aloud in elementary schools.
Weaknesses: I'm not usually a fan of books from animals' perspectives, and am not a sentimental person at all, so this was not a personal favorite. It was well written and charming, and I can see why people recommend having tissues at hand when reading it, so it was not a personal favorite.
What I really think: While there have been an increasing number of stories about family's escaping wildfires and having to rebuild (from Tashjian's more humorous My Life as a Meme to Bard's graphic novel Wildfire to Baron's novel in verse Spark), Wombat and Henry's story was a bit gentler and more hopeful. It would not hurt my feelings if this won a Newbery award, but it does seem a little young for my middle school audience.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Katherine Applegate is the queen of poignant animal / kid middle grade stories. The books are never cloying or saccharine. Yet they remain sweet and gentle for children, while not shying away from real events, challenges, hardships, and emotions.
Wombat Waiting is another beautiful book like that. Applegate uses the backdrop of 2025's devastating Pacific Palisades wildfires to introduce Wombat the dog, who doesn't have a home, and Henry the boy, who flees his home with his family when the fires start. The story is told from both points of view, and it takes most of the book for the two characters to finally come together, but the wait is so worth it.
I adored the the fact that this book is written as a novel in verse. That format, with fewer words on a page, and space for the story to breathe, is so accessible for younger or more reluctant readers.
Henry is sweet, sensitive, and full of integrity. His two moms are caring and solid, and the other human characters in the book add different touches of reality.
Wombat spends the book listening to The Voice, which other animals teach him is guiding him to his destiny.
There are so many beautiful lines. I highlighted many, but it just speaks to how good of a writer Applegate is that she can describe a feeling or a a simple event with words you'd never thought to use to describe it before and yet they make perfect sense. The imagery is spot on, yet not too complicated for younger readers. (Ex. The Santa Anas, the winds that bully Southern California... They kidnap caps...scramble clouds.)
Middle grade readers can be entertained and educated with this one. Kid environmental crusaders will appreciate the mild touches of climate change, wildfires, animal habitats, and how humans impact all of it. I can't wait to encourage lots of kids to pick this one up and meet Wombat.
Great Lines:
"Why do we have to make patterns out of stars?" "We seem to have this need to give those glowing balls of plasma tales to tell. I suppose that's how we create memories. We bind the bits together until we have a story we can live with." (Discussion between Henry and Mama J)
"Did humans have voices, too, inner guides so ferocious and consuming, telling you that you are something, that you need something, that you must become something?"
"Something was happening to the world, it seemed to Barnabas, and it was hard not to think that humans were to blame."
"Wombat was filled with a terrifying new feeling: doubt...It throbbed like a sore paw, she couldn't ignore."
"Wombat felt like a sponge, soaking up human pain as if it were her own."
"Was this really their neighborhood? It looks like the moon, Henry whispered, and it did, nothing but craters and ash."
"He wanted to be strong. He wanted to be the old, reliable Henry. But he'd lost a piece of himself, it seemed."
"Maybe this was her destiny, after all. Maybe there were lots of ways to find your place in the world."
"He didn't realize that there is no wrong way to talk to dogs, as long as your voice is kind."
Wombat Waiting is another beautiful book like that. Applegate uses the backdrop of 2025's devastating Pacific Palisades wildfires to introduce Wombat the dog, who doesn't have a home, and Henry the boy, who flees his home with his family when the fires start. The story is told from both points of view, and it takes most of the book for the two characters to finally come together, but the wait is so worth it.
I adored the the fact that this book is written as a novel in verse. That format, with fewer words on a page, and space for the story to breathe, is so accessible for younger or more reluctant readers.
Henry is sweet, sensitive, and full of integrity. His two moms are caring and solid, and the other human characters in the book add different touches of reality.
Wombat spends the book listening to The Voice, which other animals teach him is guiding him to his destiny.
There are so many beautiful lines. I highlighted many, but it just speaks to how good of a writer Applegate is that she can describe a feeling or a a simple event with words you'd never thought to use to describe it before and yet they make perfect sense. The imagery is spot on, yet not too complicated for younger readers. (Ex. The Santa Anas, the winds that bully Southern California... They kidnap caps...scramble clouds.)
Middle grade readers can be entertained and educated with this one. Kid environmental crusaders will appreciate the mild touches of climate change, wildfires, animal habitats, and how humans impact all of it. I can't wait to encourage lots of kids to pick this one up and meet Wombat.
Great Lines:
"Why do we have to make patterns out of stars?" "We seem to have this need to give those glowing balls of plasma tales to tell. I suppose that's how we create memories. We bind the bits together until we have a story we can live with." (Discussion between Henry and Mama J)
"Did humans have voices, too, inner guides so ferocious and consuming, telling you that you are something, that you need something, that you must become something?"
"Something was happening to the world, it seemed to Barnabas, and it was hard not to think that humans were to blame."
"Wombat was filled with a terrifying new feeling: doubt...It throbbed like a sore paw, she couldn't ignore."
"Wombat felt like a sponge, soaking up human pain as if it were her own."
"Was this really their neighborhood? It looks like the moon, Henry whispered, and it did, nothing but craters and ash."
"He wanted to be strong. He wanted to be the old, reliable Henry. But he'd lost a piece of himself, it seemed."
"Maybe this was her destiny, after all. Maybe there were lots of ways to find your place in the world."
"He didn't realize that there is no wrong way to talk to dogs, as long as your voice is kind."
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest, from-the-heart review.
No pun intended at all, but this is one of the hottest books coming out this year for middle grades and I'm so thankful I got to read this one.
My Rambling Thoughts:
I have a lot of emotions over this book. I finished it on the treadmill at the gym and it took everything in me to keep the tears locked inside. I still count this as a crier book because if I was at home, or anywhere else, I'd be letting them out freely. This book was amazing from start to finish. The fact that it seems Katherine Applegate can't write a bad book has continued on (ever since my childhood with Animorphs). This book has it all. I love it. I can't wait for it to come out so I can purchase copies for the media center because I know they will devour it. I also really loved the inclusion of Henry having two moms without it being like "see, look at us!" and all performative. Instead, it was just natural. No one said anything. No one batted an eye. And that's how life should be. It should be just like that.
What Worked:
Everything. By the end of the book, you know every character. By the end of the book, you understand the title perfectly. By the end of the book, you are feeling emotional for a BAT! I mean, it is that good.
What Didn’t Work:
Honestly? I can't think of anything that makes me feel like it didn't work. From start to finish, it was solid.
Emotional Impact:
Did I Cry? Yes!
Did I Get Angry? Yes!
Did I Run To My Wife And Tell Her To “Read This Now!”: No, but only because it isn't her style. I 100% added it to our order list for next school year, though!
The Stats:
Pages Read: 227
Time to Finish: 1 hour and 2 minutes
Pages Per Hour: 218.7
Days To Devour: 3
This Book Is For:
Middle grades for sure and all animal lovers.
⭐ Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Brock Seng -
Life is too short for re-reads and not DNFing “The Goldfinch”.
No pun intended at all, but this is one of the hottest books coming out this year for middle grades and I'm so thankful I got to read this one.
My Rambling Thoughts:
I have a lot of emotions over this book. I finished it on the treadmill at the gym and it took everything in me to keep the tears locked inside. I still count this as a crier book because if I was at home, or anywhere else, I'd be letting them out freely. This book was amazing from start to finish. The fact that it seems Katherine Applegate can't write a bad book has continued on (ever since my childhood with Animorphs). This book has it all. I love it. I can't wait for it to come out so I can purchase copies for the media center because I know they will devour it. I also really loved the inclusion of Henry having two moms without it being like "see, look at us!" and all performative. Instead, it was just natural. No one said anything. No one batted an eye. And that's how life should be. It should be just like that.
What Worked:
Everything. By the end of the book, you know every character. By the end of the book, you understand the title perfectly. By the end of the book, you are feeling emotional for a BAT! I mean, it is that good.
What Didn’t Work:
Honestly? I can't think of anything that makes me feel like it didn't work. From start to finish, it was solid.
Emotional Impact:
Did I Cry? Yes!
Did I Get Angry? Yes!
Did I Run To My Wife And Tell Her To “Read This Now!”: No, but only because it isn't her style. I 100% added it to our order list for next school year, though!
The Stats:
Pages Read: 227
Time to Finish: 1 hour and 2 minutes
Pages Per Hour: 218.7
Days To Devour: 3
This Book Is For:
Middle grades for sure and all animal lovers.
⭐ Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Brock Seng -
Life is too short for re-reads and not DNFing “The Goldfinch”.
April 21, 2026
This is a sweet, sometimes sad, short novel in verse for young readers (2nd through 4th grade is probably the sweet spot) about a stray dog named Wombat and a boy named Henry who find one another during a terrifying wildfire loosely based on the 2025 Pacific Palisades/Eaton fires.
Just as everyone is evacuating the area, Wombat feels a voice telling her to go "the wrong way," toward the fire, which, for her, is "the right way." A fellow stray tells her she must be a destiny dog: a dog who is destined to be the companion of a specific human, though there's no guarantee she'll find them. Still, she follows the voice's instructions, which lead her to a large shelter where many humans are staying after their neighborhoods have been destroyed by a wildfire.
One of those humans is Mama Ro, Henry's mom, who has moved the animals from her wildlife rehabilitation center to the shelter. Wombat takes up residence on a bench outside the shelter. When she sees Henry (who, along with his little sister and other mom, is staying with extended family), she knows right away that he's her person--but he's wary of dogs, so she has to be patient. As she waits for him to return to the shelter, she finds her place there as a therapy dog of sorts, slowly warming up to the other humans and becoming a familiar and comforting furry face.
This ends with hope and a feeling of community healing just beginning (for humans and animals both), but it doesn't shy away from the tragedy of the wildfires: Henry and his family have to evacuate quickly at night, leaving most of their possessions behind; their house and neighborhood are destroyed; and unrest sometimes simmers between people in the shelter.
Just as everyone is evacuating the area, Wombat feels a voice telling her to go "the wrong way," toward the fire, which, for her, is "the right way." A fellow stray tells her she must be a destiny dog: a dog who is destined to be the companion of a specific human, though there's no guarantee she'll find them. Still, she follows the voice's instructions, which lead her to a large shelter where many humans are staying after their neighborhoods have been destroyed by a wildfire.
One of those humans is Mama Ro, Henry's mom, who has moved the animals from her wildlife rehabilitation center to the shelter. Wombat takes up residence on a bench outside the shelter. When she sees Henry (who, along with his little sister and other mom, is staying with extended family), she knows right away that he's her person--but he's wary of dogs, so she has to be patient. As she waits for him to return to the shelter, she finds her place there as a therapy dog of sorts, slowly warming up to the other humans and becoming a familiar and comforting furry face.
This ends with hope and a feeling of community healing just beginning (for humans and animals both), but it doesn't shy away from the tragedy of the wildfires: Henry and his family have to evacuate quickly at night, leaving most of their possessions behind; their house and neighborhood are destroyed; and unrest sometimes simmers between people in the shelter.
February 25, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Katherine Applegate is spreading her animal love once again in this novel in verse.
The California wildfires have ravaged a community, leaving many housed at a nearby shelter. Not only have humans found their way to this communal safe-space; a darling, little stray (who’s soon to be named wombat) and her small feathered companion have found respite here as well… however, Wombat prefers to keep it at a distance from these untrustworthy humans.
What I loved: I have really grown to love middle grade novels in verse, and I enjoyed Katherine Applegate’s style of writing. It flowed well and included meaningful titles and precious illustrations. As a person who doesn’t live in a region at risk of wildfires, it was very interesting reading about what it would be like to live in such an intense event.
What I didn’t love: I found the additional two wildlife rescue animal characters to have been too small of a presence in the story to be included. It felt like there should have been more depth, more significance to their parts. I wish there was more in the story about wombat’s heroic quest through the wildfire. I was curious about her burned nose and felt like she must have endured far more challenge than the story shared. Kids love survival stories! This one blew right through any of those details.
Katherine Applegate is of course a staple in our children’s library and has tapped a bit into the extreme weather event survival trend. Therefore, this story is sure to be enjoyed. I envision this one will be popular with our emerging chapter book readers mostly. (Grades 1-3)
Katherine Applegate is spreading her animal love once again in this novel in verse.
The California wildfires have ravaged a community, leaving many housed at a nearby shelter. Not only have humans found their way to this communal safe-space; a darling, little stray (who’s soon to be named wombat) and her small feathered companion have found respite here as well… however, Wombat prefers to keep it at a distance from these untrustworthy humans.
What I loved: I have really grown to love middle grade novels in verse, and I enjoyed Katherine Applegate’s style of writing. It flowed well and included meaningful titles and precious illustrations. As a person who doesn’t live in a region at risk of wildfires, it was very interesting reading about what it would be like to live in such an intense event.
What I didn’t love: I found the additional two wildlife rescue animal characters to have been too small of a presence in the story to be included. It felt like there should have been more depth, more significance to their parts. I wish there was more in the story about wombat’s heroic quest through the wildfire. I was curious about her burned nose and felt like she must have endured far more challenge than the story shared. Kids love survival stories! This one blew right through any of those details.
Katherine Applegate is of course a staple in our children’s library and has tapped a bit into the extreme weather event survival trend. Therefore, this story is sure to be enjoyed. I envision this one will be popular with our emerging chapter book readers mostly. (Grades 1-3)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wombat by Katherine Applegate is a powerful and descriptive story that our class really enjoyed. The book is loosely based on recent wildfires, which made it feel important and meaningful. It helped us understand how animals and people are affected during natural disasters.
The story follows brave characters who face challenges and learn to be patient. One of the biggest lessons we took from the book is that even when things feel scary or uncertain, you will eventually find someone who helps you. The characters were very likeable and relatable, and we found ourselves rooting for them the whole time.
Katherine Applegate does an amazing job using descriptive language. We could clearly imagine the setting, the danger of the fire, and the emotions of the characters. It really felt like we were inside the story as we were reading.
We also love how Applegate often tells stories from the perspective of animals. Just like in The One and Only Ivan, the animals are the main characters, and the humans play smaller roles. This makes her stories unique and helps us see the world in a different way. She shows us what it means to be patient, brave, and fearless.
One thing we wished for was more backstory about Henry and Wombat. We wanted to learn more about their lives before the events of the story. Even so, we really enjoyed the book overall.
We would love to see a sequel, just like Katherine Applegate wrote for The One and Only Ivan. We think there is more of the story to tell!
Overall, Wombat is a touching and meaningful book that teaches important life lessons while telling an engaging story.
⭐ Our class recommends this book!
The story follows brave characters who face challenges and learn to be patient. One of the biggest lessons we took from the book is that even when things feel scary or uncertain, you will eventually find someone who helps you. The characters were very likeable and relatable, and we found ourselves rooting for them the whole time.
Katherine Applegate does an amazing job using descriptive language. We could clearly imagine the setting, the danger of the fire, and the emotions of the characters. It really felt like we were inside the story as we were reading.
We also love how Applegate often tells stories from the perspective of animals. Just like in The One and Only Ivan, the animals are the main characters, and the humans play smaller roles. This makes her stories unique and helps us see the world in a different way. She shows us what it means to be patient, brave, and fearless.
One thing we wished for was more backstory about Henry and Wombat. We wanted to learn more about their lives before the events of the story. Even so, we really enjoyed the book overall.
We would love to see a sequel, just like Katherine Applegate wrote for The One and Only Ivan. We think there is more of the story to tell!
Overall, Wombat is a touching and meaningful book that teaches important life lessons while telling an engaging story.
⭐ Our class recommends this book!
March 2, 2026
Another warm and wonderful animal centered story by Katherine Applegate! This one features an adorable stray who hears a Voice directing him to his destiny-a young boy whose home is destroyed by wildfire.
Before being dubbed Wombat, the scruffy but cute stray did what all homeless canines would do-search for food, shelter and meander wherever her nose and paws led her. The smell of smoke and a voice telling her that the wrong way is right and leading her straight towards a devastating and destructive wildfire, Wombat keeps moving until the voice tells her to stay. So there she stays, on a bench next to a shelter for both people and animals, being cared for by those who are now homeless and in turn, providing comfort to everyone who needs it, including young Henry Cooper. By book’s end, Wombat has a new home and has found his destiny and readers will have all sorts of warm fuzzies from all the rescued animals, including a bat who shouldn’t even be in California and a tiny owl carried on a piece of palm frond in Wombat’s mouth, plus a community pulling together to help each other rebuild and recover. The novel in verse format adds to the emotional depth and Jen Bricking’s sketches are the perfect accent to that text.
Perfect for libraries to add to their collection of Applegate titles such as Odder, Crenshaw, Wishtree and all the Ivan books!
Target age: grades 2-7
Profanity: none
Violence: a few arguments among those in an overcrowded, tension-filled shelter and the destruction of fire
Sexual content: none
Representation: illustrations indicate that Henry is likely Caucasian but race of others is indeterminate; Henry and his little sister have two moms
Before being dubbed Wombat, the scruffy but cute stray did what all homeless canines would do-search for food, shelter and meander wherever her nose and paws led her. The smell of smoke and a voice telling her that the wrong way is right and leading her straight towards a devastating and destructive wildfire, Wombat keeps moving until the voice tells her to stay. So there she stays, on a bench next to a shelter for both people and animals, being cared for by those who are now homeless and in turn, providing comfort to everyone who needs it, including young Henry Cooper. By book’s end, Wombat has a new home and has found his destiny and readers will have all sorts of warm fuzzies from all the rescued animals, including a bat who shouldn’t even be in California and a tiny owl carried on a piece of palm frond in Wombat’s mouth, plus a community pulling together to help each other rebuild and recover. The novel in verse format adds to the emotional depth and Jen Bricking’s sketches are the perfect accent to that text.
Perfect for libraries to add to their collection of Applegate titles such as Odder, Crenshaw, Wishtree and all the Ivan books!
Target age: grades 2-7
Profanity: none
Violence: a few arguments among those in an overcrowded, tension-filled shelter and the destruction of fire
Sexual content: none
Representation: illustrations indicate that Henry is likely Caucasian but race of others is indeterminate; Henry and his little sister have two moms
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
First of all, Wombat isn’t really a Wombat but a dog, one that has been on the street’s way to long. But the day everything seemed wrong to Wombat and he wanted to run away from all the strange smells and sights a voice told him to go the other way, “the wrong way is the right way”. Wombat follows the voices directions and his heart tells him what it wants only it is driving off in a blue car. Wombat’s voice tells him to wait, he does for a very long time. But he isn’t much used to people and the ones he’s been around have not been nice so the people feed him but think he is dangerous so they stay away. But as Wombat talks to animals he starts to warm up to the people but the one he really wants is the one he is waiting for the one scared some of dogs.
My heart broke for Wombat through each section of the book, and it did bring back the smells I have smelled many times while living in California. I love how Wombat helped others while trying to find what he is looking for. Wombat turned out to be a unofficial therapy dog to those in need, and without being taught, he just knew, and that is very special. Even though it was clear to all that Wombat was waiting for something no one knew what it was, but the kindness in the humans even when they thought he was not friendly was to make him comfortable too. There was just so much kindness and love in this book it should be a testament to all in how to be even when you are losing everything. I loved this book it is a true Applegate book.
Review copy provided by Edelweiss
My heart broke for Wombat through each section of the book, and it did bring back the smells I have smelled many times while living in California. I love how Wombat helped others while trying to find what he is looking for. Wombat turned out to be a unofficial therapy dog to those in need, and without being taught, he just knew, and that is very special. Even though it was clear to all that Wombat was waiting for something no one knew what it was, but the kindness in the humans even when they thought he was not friendly was to make him comfortable too. There was just so much kindness and love in this book it should be a testament to all in how to be even when you are losing everything. I loved this book it is a true Applegate book.
Review copy provided by Edelweiss
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a read-aloud with my 7yo and I asked her to write this review by answering my questions. Here's what she has to say about Wombat and her story.
Did you like the book? What would you rate it? FIVE STARS!
Tell me what the book is about. It's about a big fire right? So it's mostly about everyone healing from the fire and everyone trying again to find their new life and find where their place is.
What did you like about it? How did it make you feel?
Sometimes I feel disconnected from the Earth like there was a rope connecting me to the Earth and now it snagged or snapped off and I'm floating away. This reminded me of Wombat just waiting to connect back to the Earth and find her person.
Who are your favorite characters?
My favorite characters are Wombat and Sylvie.
Is there anything you would change or that you wish had been different in the story?
I wish Henry had found something of his in the fire because he was the only one who didn't and that made me feel sad.
Who would you recommend this book to?
Someone who sometimes feels disconnected or feels like they don't belong and also foster kids so they don't feel like they're the only ones waiting to find their place.
Is there anything else you want people to know about this book?
If you like animals you might like this book! I recommend that you try Wombat Waiting and bye for now!
Did you like the book? What would you rate it? FIVE STARS!
Tell me what the book is about. It's about a big fire right? So it's mostly about everyone healing from the fire and everyone trying again to find their new life and find where their place is.
What did you like about it? How did it make you feel?
Sometimes I feel disconnected from the Earth like there was a rope connecting me to the Earth and now it snagged or snapped off and I'm floating away. This reminded me of Wombat just waiting to connect back to the Earth and find her person.
Who are your favorite characters?
My favorite characters are Wombat and Sylvie.
Is there anything you would change or that you wish had been different in the story?
I wish Henry had found something of his in the fire because he was the only one who didn't and that made me feel sad.
Who would you recommend this book to?
Someone who sometimes feels disconnected or feels like they don't belong and also foster kids so they don't feel like they're the only ones waiting to find their place.
Is there anything else you want people to know about this book?
If you like animals you might like this book! I recommend that you try Wombat Waiting and bye for now!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is another amazing book by Katherine Applegate! Wombat is a small homeless dog, told by another that she is a destiny dog …. destined to help their human, if she can find them. Set in California, a wildfire threatens the area, and Wombat hears the voices trying to guide her towards her human. But what if she can't find them? Or worse, what if they don't want her? Henry, a little boy whose family is displaced, lands in the shelter, with his mom's, one of whom runs a shelter for injured wildlife. Henry's favorite is a Fruit bat named Barnabas whom he helps fly, but he is afraid of dogs. Wombat is shy and skeptical about people, how is she going to accept a human? How is her human going to accept her, if she finds him?
This is a really sweet book on resilience, friendship and finding your place in life with great talking points on the environment, what it means to live in a fire zone care for the environment and for the wildlife. Who wouldn't love Wombat! This is a fantastic read!! I loved this book from the beginning to the end! This book focuses on the journey and discovery of your place in life.
This would be a great classroom book, read aloud or group read. This is another exceptional book from this author!
This is a really sweet book on resilience, friendship and finding your place in life with great talking points on the environment, what it means to live in a fire zone care for the environment and for the wildlife. Who wouldn't love Wombat! This is a fantastic read!! I loved this book from the beginning to the end! This book focuses on the journey and discovery of your place in life.
This would be a great classroom book, read aloud or group read. This is another exceptional book from this author!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wombat Waiting is Katherine Applegate doing what she does best: drawing the reader in and creating a warm world of animal characters. This novel in verse belongs in every elementary and middle school media center or classroom library.
Street pup, Wombat, is making her way through southern California in January of 2025. It is scary and smokey, but she is guided by an internal gut feeling that she names, The Voice. Through the text of the first part of the story, she makes her way avoiding danger around every corner. I will not give away the ending, but I will say that this could have gone down a very scary survival path, but readers are brought in a more uplifting direction showing that the fires of course were devastating, but also brought together the community and the book had a hopeFUL tone.
If you have a child that is sensitive or scared by natural disasters or destructive weather events, I think they would be fans of this book's depiction of the after effects of the event and the community coming together in support and care.
Thank you to HarperCollins Children’s Books, Author Katherine Applegate, and NetGalley for the ARC of Wombat Waiting in exchange for an honest review.
Street pup, Wombat, is making her way through southern California in January of 2025. It is scary and smokey, but she is guided by an internal gut feeling that she names, The Voice. Through the text of the first part of the story, she makes her way avoiding danger around every corner. I will not give away the ending, but I will say that this could have gone down a very scary survival path, but readers are brought in a more uplifting direction showing that the fires of course were devastating, but also brought together the community and the book had a hopeFUL tone.
If you have a child that is sensitive or scared by natural disasters or destructive weather events, I think they would be fans of this book's depiction of the after effects of the event and the community coming together in support and care.
Thank you to HarperCollins Children’s Books, Author Katherine Applegate, and NetGalley for the ARC of Wombat Waiting in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a really cute story about a dog searching to find her "person" amidst a devastating wildfire. I love how emotional Katherine Applegate's stories get, and I really adore her writing style. The dog was super cute, and I appreciated getting to see the different perspectives of the animals at the animal shelter.
Unfortunately, this book also contained LGTBQ+ content. It's not a main theme exactly, but it's definitely not subtle, which was a big disappointment for me. I really wish the publishers would start marking books or giving some kind of content warning on books. It's frustrating to get halfway through and then have something like this show up. I know this can be really hard for parents who want to know what their child is reading about as well. I'm also just not a huge huge fan of the novel-in-verse style. I haven't read many books like it before, so I thought I would give it a try, but I didn't love it.
While this book has some good things going for it, because of the unmarked content issues and a style that wasn't my favorite, I can't recommend it.
Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for a free copy of the ARC
Unfortunately, this book also contained LGTBQ+ content. It's not a main theme exactly, but it's definitely not subtle, which was a big disappointment for me. I really wish the publishers would start marking books or giving some kind of content warning on books. It's frustrating to get halfway through and then have something like this show up. I know this can be really hard for parents who want to know what their child is reading about as well. I'm also just not a huge huge fan of the novel-in-verse style. I haven't read many books like it before, so I thought I would give it a try, but I didn't love it.
While this book has some good things going for it, because of the unmarked content issues and a style that wasn't my favorite, I can't recommend it.
Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for a free copy of the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This NIV is going to be loved by so many. It will bring so many smiles! Wombat is a stray dog and people have tried to catch her, but she is told by another dog you wait to be found. When there is a fire in the area she keeps heading toward it even though another dog says turn around. Wombat hears a voice that says you will find your person. Henry and his family live nearby and they have to evacuate. Mama Ro is a vet and says they’re moving the animals from the shelter to safety. Wombat keeps going knowing until she reaches the shelter and sits on a bench. Henry is wary of dogs having been bitten once. When Wombat sees Henry she leaps into his arms,but Henry falls back. Mama says she’s a different dog around you. As Wombat patiently waits for Henry over time people begin to sit on the bench as they deal with the aftermath of the fire and seem comforted by Wombat. Will Wombat end up with Henry and his family?
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wombat Waiting shares a gentle, heartfelt message in its novel-in-verse style: there’s a special connection out there for every living thing, and it’s worth waiting for. The story may feel especially meaningful for readers in Los Angeles and across California who have experienced wildfires, as its themes of loss and hope hit close to home.
I was drawn in right away and found myself curious about how “the voice” would guide Wombat. While the early moments of direction from “the voice” were compelling, the pace later slowed, with much of the story focused on Wombat’s waiting. While I understand that this ties into the title and message, I was hoping for a bit more action or buildup before settling into that quieter stretch.
Overall, Katherine Applegate does a beautiful job connecting real-world issues to her animal characters. The story carries strong themes of friendship, patience, family, and community, and it leaves you with a warm, thoughtful feeling.
Thanks so much HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC.
I was drawn in right away and found myself curious about how “the voice” would guide Wombat. While the early moments of direction from “the voice” were compelling, the pace later slowed, with much of the story focused on Wombat’s waiting. While I understand that this ties into the title and message, I was hoping for a bit more action or buildup before settling into that quieter stretch.
Overall, Katherine Applegate does a beautiful job connecting real-world issues to her animal characters. The story carries strong themes of friendship, patience, family, and community, and it leaves you with a warm, thoughtful feeling.
Thanks so much HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Thanks author, publisher and Edelweiss+ for this ARC.
I'm a big fan of Applegate and her way of tackling difficult topics in an approachable way with her children's fiction. Whether she's writing about war in Animorphs, animal cruelty in The One and Only Ivan, or the devastation brought to communities by wildfires in Wombat Waiting, I know that I'm going to be feeling a lot when reading this author.
Make the main character a loyal and sweet dog who is waiting for her destiny, and I'm a guaranteed mess.
This was a quick read with short sections and charming illustrations that would be a make a read aloud. Book by this author are always a great choice to read with kids in my opinion, because they are moving and engaging, while also being a way to start a conversation about a difficult topic or to engage in empathy with children at a young age. Wombat Waiting solidifies that reputation and is filled with so much heart that even the most tentative animal lovers will be charmed for sure.
I'm a big fan of Applegate and her way of tackling difficult topics in an approachable way with her children's fiction. Whether she's writing about war in Animorphs, animal cruelty in The One and Only Ivan, or the devastation brought to communities by wildfires in Wombat Waiting, I know that I'm going to be feeling a lot when reading this author.
Make the main character a loyal and sweet dog who is waiting for her destiny, and I'm a guaranteed mess.
This was a quick read with short sections and charming illustrations that would be a make a read aloud. Book by this author are always a great choice to read with kids in my opinion, because they are moving and engaging, while also being a way to start a conversation about a difficult topic or to engage in empathy with children at a young age. Wombat Waiting solidifies that reputation and is filled with so much heart that even the most tentative animal lovers will be charmed for sure.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this as an ARC from Netgalley. I adore Katherine Applegate's stories and writing style. This was my first free verse of hers. I really enjoyed the style for this type of story, with so much of it being internal dialogue it seemed right.
I read this as a read aloud to my children and they really enjoyed the story and wanted to keep going to find out if Wombat finds her person and destiny!
The story follows a stray (who is later named Wombat) through a wildfire in California. Voice tells her to go the wrong way (into the fires) instead of the right way (like everyone else) and a boy named Henry (who doesn't really like dogs) and his family as they find shelter from the fire. Wombat waits for Henry to be ready to love her and it is a beautiful story of acceptance and love.
Katerine Applegate may write middle grade novels but there is so much that adults will love too!
I read this as a read aloud to my children and they really enjoyed the story and wanted to keep going to find out if Wombat finds her person and destiny!
The story follows a stray (who is later named Wombat) through a wildfire in California. Voice tells her to go the wrong way (into the fires) instead of the right way (like everyone else) and a boy named Henry (who doesn't really like dogs) and his family as they find shelter from the fire. Wombat waits for Henry to be ready to love her and it is a beautiful story of acceptance and love.
Katerine Applegate may write middle grade novels but there is so much that adults will love too!
April 25, 2026
Received an advance copy from Harper Kids through a Goodreads giveaway, many thanks.
My daughter enjoyed Katherine Applegate’s Animorphs and my students love her One and Only series. “Wombat Waiting,” which tackles displacement by wildfires in free verse, is a stand alone tale about a stray dog who finds the strength to seek her destiny in the midst of wildfire danger and destruction. Although she could be consumed by her drive to find a better life and by the very real dangers of the fires, she spends time creating an ingenious way to save a young owl and eventually offers comfort to humans as they come to terms with the loss of their homes. The patient, gentle choreography of Wombat and her destined child finding and trusting one another is truly beautiful. Generally speaking, children adore books that show us animals’ souls, and they will be drawn to Wombat, her challenges, her difficult life, and her belief that tomorrow will be better.
My daughter enjoyed Katherine Applegate’s Animorphs and my students love her One and Only series. “Wombat Waiting,” which tackles displacement by wildfires in free verse, is a stand alone tale about a stray dog who finds the strength to seek her destiny in the midst of wildfire danger and destruction. Although she could be consumed by her drive to find a better life and by the very real dangers of the fires, she spends time creating an ingenious way to save a young owl and eventually offers comfort to humans as they come to terms with the loss of their homes. The patient, gentle choreography of Wombat and her destined child finding and trusting one another is truly beautiful. Generally speaking, children adore books that show us animals’ souls, and they will be drawn to Wombat, her challenges, her difficult life, and her belief that tomorrow will be better.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Novel in verse
I received an electronic ARC from HarperCollins Children's Books through NetGalley.
Applegate again uses animals as characters to tug on our hearts. We meet Wombat as an abandoned young dog who has learned to survive on the streets. The tale picks up with a major forest fire heading in her direction. She watches humans and animals flee but she starts hearing a Voice telling her to go in a different direction - toward the fire. From here, readers watch her rescue another animal, find her place, and learn patience. The story touches on this disaster from both the human and animal side and blends the viewpoints together. Applegate is a master at using language to convey strong emotions. In this book, she uses the rhythmic structure as well as word choices to bring out the fear and devastation everyone felt. The conclusion felt a bit abrupt but still carried the message that recovery take a very long time.
I received an electronic ARC from HarperCollins Children's Books through NetGalley.
Applegate again uses animals as characters to tug on our hearts. We meet Wombat as an abandoned young dog who has learned to survive on the streets. The tale picks up with a major forest fire heading in her direction. She watches humans and animals flee but she starts hearing a Voice telling her to go in a different direction - toward the fire. From here, readers watch her rescue another animal, find her place, and learn patience. The story touches on this disaster from both the human and animal side and blends the viewpoints together. Applegate is a master at using language to convey strong emotions. In this book, she uses the rhythmic structure as well as word choices to bring out the fear and devastation everyone felt. The conclusion felt a bit abrupt but still carried the message that recovery take a very long time.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Applegate does animal narratives well. Combine that with the verse format and the endearing homeless dog that comes to be known as Wombat and it's a winning combination set among the harsh backdrop of a wildfire spreading around the area. Wombat is taking refuge where Wombat can on a bench and notices all of the things that are happening around them because of the fires including people trying to help others, others in mourning for the things that will be lost, and the general chaos of an environmental disaster but deep down (this Voice) Wombat knows someone will be their forever home and as readers meet Henry, we know that Henry will be that kid whose family (he, his two moms, and younger sibling) must all flee their home.
Wombat knows the assignment, Wombat is providing entertainment, comfort, and peace until Henry comes along.
It's insightful, sentimental, and endearing and in the author's note, based in part on the Japanese dog Hachiko who famously waited in the same place each day for years for his deceased owner to return.
My favorite chapter is "canine Kleenex".
Wombat knows the assignment, Wombat is providing entertainment, comfort, and peace until Henry comes along.
It's insightful, sentimental, and endearing and in the author's note, based in part on the Japanese dog Hachiko who famously waited in the same place each day for years for his deceased owner to return.
My favorite chapter is "canine Kleenex".
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
“A Gentle Lesson Wrapped in Poetic Charm”
Wombat Waiting is a beautifully crafted story that blends gentle teaching moments with lyrical, almost poetic prose. It has that rare ability to feel both whimsical and meaningful, offering young readers a lesson in patience and understanding without ever feeling heavy-handed. The writing flows with a rhythmic ease that makes it a joy to read aloud, and the message settles in naturally.
The narrative is simple enough for early readers to devour on their own, yet rich enough to spark conversation and reflection. Its warmth, charm, and thoughtful pacing make it a standout among children’s books that aim to teach through story rather than instruction.
A delightful, heart-hugging read that earns its 4.5 stars with grace.
Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperCollins Publishers
Wombat Waiting is a beautifully crafted story that blends gentle teaching moments with lyrical, almost poetic prose. It has that rare ability to feel both whimsical and meaningful, offering young readers a lesson in patience and understanding without ever feeling heavy-handed. The writing flows with a rhythmic ease that makes it a joy to read aloud, and the message settles in naturally.
The narrative is simple enough for early readers to devour on their own, yet rich enough to spark conversation and reflection. Its warmth, charm, and thoughtful pacing make it a standout among children’s books that aim to teach through story rather than instruction.
A delightful, heart-hugging read that earns its 4.5 stars with grace.
Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperCollins Publishers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Absolutely phenomenal! Katherine Applegate is far and away my favorite children's author. Her novels in verse are heartwrenching and beautiful. Wombat Waiting was, of course, no exception.
Applegate has a way of writing animal characters that seems so true to the creature while also imbuing them with such human characteristics. I absolutely love it. Wombat is such a sweet character who has been through so much in her little life. The way her innocence and impatience leaks from the pages and straight into your heart is no small feat.
This book had me on the edge of my seat. I was so afraid of the ending, worried Wombat would forever be waiting. But it was beautiful and, by the end, I simply wanted to sink deeper into the pages.
Phenomenal. No notes.
Applegate has a way of writing animal characters that seems so true to the creature while also imbuing them with such human characteristics. I absolutely love it. Wombat is such a sweet character who has been through so much in her little life. The way her innocence and impatience leaks from the pages and straight into your heart is no small feat.
This book had me on the edge of my seat. I was so afraid of the ending, worried Wombat would forever be waiting. But it was beautiful and, by the end, I simply wanted to sink deeper into the pages.
Phenomenal. No notes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
No one writes middle grade animal fiction quite like Katherine Applegate. There is a gentleness to her tales and she finds a way to capture the personality and thoughts of the animal character. This is the story of Wombat, a stray dog used to living on the streets with nowhere to truly call home. She is even more displaced when terrible wildfires tear through Southern California. Listening to her inner "Voice," Wombat waits patiently and experiences adventures as she waits for the right human to come along and give her a home.
Poignantly written and an author's note about the most recent Southern California wildfires. Katherine Applegate has done it again.
*Thank you to HarperCollins/Storytide for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*
Poignantly written and an author's note about the most recent Southern California wildfires. Katherine Applegate has done it again.
*Thank you to HarperCollins/Storytide for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Well I cried…I cried a lot. Wombat Waiting is a fictional story that revisits the devastation of the Palisades fire from the eyes of a stray dog (looking for a home) and a young boy and his family, forced to seek shelter. This soft, nudging, and incredibly realistic tale is perfect for children and adults a like. It is both entertaining (I laughed too-KETCHUP) and educational (on natural disaster and recovery.) I have already recommended this book to two other families, and I am planning to pick it up for a few different kiddos as soon as it has been released.
NOTES:
For those of you wondering, I personally believe this story is appropriate or those aged 7+ though this is obviously up to parental discretion. You know your child best.
My favorite section is Chapter One: Fairy Dogmother
A couple of things I would have loved to see more of is Henry’s relationships with his moms, and less of a time skip so that we could have experienced Henry’s stages of emotion over his experience even more. That being said, there were a couple of very touching scenes, so maybe I’m just being greedy.
If you have experienced the devastation of a fire in any way, shape, or form, take caution and go slow when picking this one up to read. It makes you feel a lot.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollin’s Children’s Books for providing me with this book for review. All opinions are my own.
NOTES:
For those of you wondering, I personally believe this story is appropriate or those aged 7+ though this is obviously up to parental discretion. You know your child best.
My favorite section is Chapter One: Fairy Dogmother
A couple of things I would have loved to see more of is Henry’s relationships with his moms, and less of a time skip so that we could have experienced Henry’s stages of emotion over his experience even more. That being said, there were a couple of very touching scenes, so maybe I’m just being greedy.
If you have experienced the devastation of a fire in any way, shape, or form, take caution and go slow when picking this one up to read. It makes you feel a lot.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollin’s Children’s Books for providing me with this book for review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've only ever read One and Only Ivan by Applegate before but I found that I enjoyed this one much more! I thought the pacing was great and the story really kept my attention. I loved seeing Wombat grow from a mistrustful stray to a huge support pillar of the shelter and I thought that the book handled the difficult topic of wildfires very well and showed the impact on the natural world and people affected by the fires. The story was still quite hopeful and did leave me feeling good by the end, though there were certainly difficult parts. The prose style flowed very well for me and I can tell that Applegate's writing has grown with every book. Loved it!
I received this book as a free eArc from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I received this book as a free eArc from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
March 24, 2026
Highly recommend Wombat Waiting to anyone who enjoys animal- and emotion- driven stories. Told in a variety of human and animal perspectives, Wombat Waiting follows a stray dog and an unknown-to-her family as they separately but on convergent paths evacuate from a California wildfire. With reigning themes of kindness, patience, and compassion, Wombat Waiting is sweet but not overly so and touches on several emotional topics that will resonate with both kids and adults. I have this book on my wishlist for our school library once it is released.
I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley.
I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
With beautiful illustrations, prose that glides across the page, and one of the sweetest stories about love and destiny and resilience after tragedy, Wombat Waiting is sure to be another beloved book by Katherine Applegate. It is so easy for readers to fall in love with this book, and I hope that it becomes a mainstay for both a read-aloud and a read-to-self.
If you are a librarian (or a caregiver) and you don't automatically buy a Katherine Applegate novel-in-verse, what are you doing? Get to it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storytide for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
If you are a librarian (or a caregiver) and you don't automatically buy a Katherine Applegate novel-in-verse, what are you doing? Get to it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storytide for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Katherine Applegate puts out very sweet, relatable books that the kids love. This one will be no exception. This book is written in verse about a stray dog finding his forever family. Wombat is impatient and quick, but she learns that being patient grants her the best things. I like the Voice that guides Wombat. The cute little pictures add to the story. I did find it a little hard to know who was talking sometimes, which can be a struggle for books written in verse. I love that Henry loves books! His family is very diverse. I liked that his moms were the helpers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In this endearingly engaging children's poetic chapter book, author Katherine Applegate shares the adventures of wombat, a homeless dog who happens to find a wildlife rescue center. Wombat learns how compassionate and encouraging people can be as he watches them rescue and rehabilitate wildlife previously caught up in the tumult of a wildfire.
Young readers will enjoy the stanzas of poetry, learning about the wildlife center, and reading about how people care for the collection of animals within the chapters of this book.
Young readers will enjoy the stanzas of poetry, learning about the wildlife center, and reading about how people care for the collection of animals within the chapters of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Written as a novel in verse, this is such an accessible read for the targeted middle grade age! The storyline covers really hard conversations around wildfires, loss of homes/communities, and what comes next after a natural disaster with a beautifully hopeful tone. Wombat is the most adorable character and I loved seeing a wildfire experience from the perspective of the animal who can smell human grief and is trying to survive, just like everyone else!
Thank you to Harper Collins publishing for the ARC at ABA's Winter Institute.
Thank you to Harper Collins publishing for the ARC at ABA's Winter Institute.
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