Veider Walter

by Julia Walton

Mõnikord kõlab oma hääle otsimine naljakalt.

Walter ja tema isa on alati olnud lahutamatud. Nad on üheskoos kogu Ameerika läbi rännanud. Walter on käinud peaaegu kõikidel isa esinemistel. Kuid sel aastal saadetakse Walter elama vanaisa juurde, linna, kus tema isa üles kasvas. Poiss alustab viiendat klassi uues koolis ilma isata. Ja mis veel hullem – tal ei ole aimugi, miks see nii on.

Esimesel koolipäeval avaldab Walter hommikuste teadaannete ajal hirmnaljakate häälte tegemisega muljet tervele koolile. Seejärel leiab ta end juba koolimuusikali prooviesinemiselt, aga kui tema lavapartner teeb avalikuks põhjuse, miks Walteri isa koos temaga ei ole, tundub, et Walter ei saa enam nootidele pihta.

„Veider Walter“ on südamlik lugu tingimusteta armastusest, andestusest ja sellest, et meie kangelased ei olegi täiuslikud.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Friendship, Contemporary

184 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2026

About the author

Julia Walton received her MFA in creative writing from Chapman University. When she's not reading or baking cookies, she's indulging in her profound love of Swedish Fish, mechanical pencils, and hobbit-sized breakfasts. Julia lives in Huntington Beach, California, with her husband and daughter.

Reviews

[Debbie Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walter and his dad have been inseparable his whole life, but suddenly, without explanation, Walter has been sent to live his grandfather. Walter finds himself at a new school (again) and manages to make his mark in the most hilarious way in the first few minutes he's on campus. He makes friends and joins the school play but still wishes he could be with his dad. This one has big themes of love and forgiveness, making mistakes and making amends, finding your own voice and finding your limits. It's a wonderful book. Don't miss it!

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the story a lot. The orange notebook Walter carries with him that has all the things he wants to remember his dad told him is is thought provoking. Grandpa is a fun character, too. Walter has no clue that his dad is an alcoholic shows Walter is not ready to see his dad’s addiction. I would recommend this book.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was attracted to this book because of the title. It would appeal to artsy/theater type students. The main characters attend an arts school and are preparing for a school musical. The main friendship between Walter and Fil is wonderful. I love the growing relationship between Walter and his new guardian grandfather. And finally, the relationship between Walter and his (currently) absent father is messy, but real. I liked a lot about it.

There are a few unnecessarily strong language parts that will leave this one out of my classroom library.

ARC provided by Netgalley.

[Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walter is a really great character that many kids will be able to relate to. He has struggles and isn't afraid of his feelings and identifying them.
Walter has always traveled around with his semi-famous father Edward Ellis. He is dropped off with his grandpa to live for awhile, as he thinks his dad has a gig that he can't take him too. We later find out that his dad was really in rehab trying to make sure he can be the best dad for Walter.
These characters have so much depth and have real friendships and relationships. I liked the school, as it is an arts school and let's kids be "weird". I enjoyed Walter's relationship with Fil and how he becomes protective of her, as she took him under her wing when she got there.
Loved all the voices Walter does and how that's his thing.
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory play in the background with these characters was great. I could picture them acting this out.
I liked all the life quotes that Walter looks at from his dad. They help him get through, but they are also life lessons that are really real.
I loved the relationship that Walter develops with his Grandpa. How they find a routine together and try something new together.
This is a real great book about families and changes. I can't wait to share this book in the library.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

[SOYAMRG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weirdly Walter by Julia Walton is realistic fiction for boys and girls in grades three through seven.

Walter’s dad has dropped him off with his grandad, and Walter is soon enrolled as a fifth grader in a performing arts school. Walter’s abilities are quickly recognized, and he earns the starring role in the play Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Of course, Travis expected to get the role and researches Walter’s dad on the Internet and tells Walter and everyone else that Walter’s father is not working but in rehab for alcoholism.

I recommend the book for purchase but have a couple concerns about the novel and Walton’s future novels. Walter develops a friendship with Fil. Since Fil could just as easily be Walter, and Walter could just as easily be Fil, the book will appeal to boys and girls. In other words, the author fails to clearly delineate a male and female characters. Also, out of nowhere, a blood stain blooms on Fil’s pants. It seems gratuitous to everything else in the narrative and does nothing to move the narrative forward.

C.S.
Ret. HS English Teacher

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Netgalley

**Spoilers**

Walter's mother has died, and his father has had a very difficult time coping with this. When he starts drinking again (as it is revealed later in the book), he drops Walter off with his grandfather while he is in rehab. Walter is attending a very supportive arts elementary school for 5th grade. Instead of getting in trouble for highjacking the all school intercom and reading the morning announcements in a robot voice, he is given a gig doing the announcements but the understanding principal. He also gets a role in the school production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. His grandfather has kept him in the dark about his father's condition, which causes problems when it makes the news (father was a prominent singer) and a classmate teases him about it.

Walter's behavior made this seem like more of an elementary school book, but could certainly be helpful for the right readers.

[WKPL Children's/YA Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Lori gives this book a 4.5! Read in 1 sitting, this story is one that makes one happy and sad at the same time. Walter is staying with his grandfather while his dad is away. Walter believes his beloved dad is on a job, as an entertainer. They moves frequently due to his dad's "gigs", so being at a new school again is not unfamiliar to Walter. He is currently at a school for the arts and quickly finds "his people"...weird, like him. There will always be someone who is not kind and Walter finds that in one of the students.

Walter becomes closer to his grandfather as we anxiously awaits his dad's return. He begins to settle in at school and then a bomb is dropped on him and he must deal with the truth of his father's absence.
Sweet story. Quick read. 5th and 6th graders.

[Shirley Freeman]

It's always been Walter and his dad. They've moved around a lot following his father's musician gigs, but Walter has generally landed on his feet. But now he's living with his grandpa and his father has gone away for an extended time. Walter doesn't know why but he makes a name for himself on the first day in his new arts school when he does the announcements in 'voices'. Walter is encouraged to try out for the school play, the real reason for his father's absence is revealed and love and forgiveness are demonstrated. Good story about a cool kid in tough circumstances. Coming in Oct. 2024.

[Merle · Rating 5 out of 5]

nii tabavalt kirjutatud ..
"On palju põhjusi, miks tuppa jääda ja sealt mitte kunagi lahkuda. Inimolendid on enamasti kohutavad. Aga kõige tähtsam põhjus, miks sa peaksid igal võimalusel väljas käima, on see, et kui sa kodust välja ei lähe, siis ei toimu su elus tegelikult mitte midagi. Ja kellelgi võib sind vaja minna. Sinu häält. Sinu lugu. Sinu naeratust...."

[Stacy Frazer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a wonderful read. I highly recommend it for a heartwarming, heart-wrenching, yet feel-good MG novel. I loved Water's wit and voice and how he learns that even though everything is not as it seems, it doesn't mean it can't be good... again.

[DaNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book about a boy beginning at his umpteenth new school. He settles in quickly based on his ability to make the other students laugh. I love a book with a play, if it is Willie Wonka, I like it extra.

[Mariong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ouin/10

[LS Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

a poignant portrayal of Walter as he discovers his dad is an alcoholic. the grandfather was delightful!

[Żużannkaczytanka · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Po ang. 2/5)

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet. Some parts fell flat for me but the parts that had heart, had a lot of it.

[Baylee · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was like fine.

[Zenia Primrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second chapter book I’ve read my son. This was a really good book!

[Reelika Raimet · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://raamaturiiulike.wordpress.com...

[Daire Lüüs · Rating 5 out of 5]

kirjutan oma blogis: https://trekseklugemine.blogspot.com/...

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent book showing a great relationship between Walter and his grandpa after his dad dropped him off to stay with him. Walter ends up going to a performing arts academy and makes friends with Fil. Walter misses his dad especially when he doesn’t call every night. He does have a journal of his dad’s that he reads that has some wonderful words of wisdom. When Walter is chosen to be Willy Wonka in the school play, a surprise waits for him at the end.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.