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Wombat Waiting
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.
328 pages, Library Binding
First published May 1, 2026
About the author
Katherine Applegate
302 books6,611 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 398 reviews
Did Not Finish
May 7, 2026Not what I expected. Moving on.
May 6, 2026
Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Katherine Applegate has been a must-read author for me for years, so when I found out about her new release, I had to get my hands on it. It delivers all the warm, fuzzy feelings while being set in a not-so-good situation. The wildfire devastates multiple families, but you see them all come together and realize that they still have each other. The dog is very sweet and patient. I loved following these characters and watching them grow.
Katherine Applegate has been a must-read author for me for years, so when I found out about her new release, I had to get my hands on it. It delivers all the warm, fuzzy feelings while being set in a not-so-good situation. The wildfire devastates multiple families, but you see them all come together and realize that they still have each other. The dog is very sweet and patient. I loved following these characters and watching them grow.
August 15, 2026
Wombat Waiting is about finding family and being there for others. It's about resilience and renewal.
When forest fires sweep through California, a stray dog feels an urge to go toward the blaze, rather than away. She feels compelled to find someone in the disaster, but when she does locate that someone, things don't go as smoothly as she'd hoped.
The book is written in prose but typed out as though it is in verse. It is a quick read that would work well in elementary classrooms for end-of-day ten minute readings. (Under grade 5)
The illustrations in the book are a 5 out of 5, the writing closer to 3 out of 5. The voice inside of Wombat's head is repetitive and a bit distracting. I prefer children's books that rhyme or contain a bit of humour. Children would enjoy this title.
When forest fires sweep through California, a stray dog feels an urge to go toward the blaze, rather than away. She feels compelled to find someone in the disaster, but when she does locate that someone, things don't go as smoothly as she'd hoped.
The book is written in prose but typed out as though it is in verse. It is a quick read that would work well in elementary classrooms for end-of-day ten minute readings. (Under grade 5)
The illustrations in the book are a 5 out of 5, the writing closer to 3 out of 5. The voice inside of Wombat's head is repetitive and a bit distracting. I prefer children's books that rhyme or contain a bit of humour. Children would enjoy this title.
July 1, 2026
It's been a while since I've picked up a Katherine Applegate book and this did not disappoint. If you're looking for a mix of animal fiction and insight to conservation and the impact of wildfires, I would recommend picking this one up.
September 25, 2026
This story was so sweet. I got teary-eyed and definitely heartbreaking when wildfires hit neighborhood and left residents and the animals along with pets displaced.
This story followed three views: Wombat, a stray dog who lose siblings from cars and traffic, Henry, a young boy who had to evacuate due to the wildfires raging by his house, and Barnabas, an old bat.
Wombat heard a voice in his head. It told him to go towards the shelter close to the wildfire. Many animals she encountered along the way told her she's going the wrong way. The voice told her the wrong way is the right way. She doesn't have a home, often hungry, and is looking for her person so she decided to do what the voice says.
Henry loves to read and knows a lot about animals because his mom is a vet. He's sad that after the wildfire everything is no longer the same. School is no longer good because his friends had to move away to live in new places. The things that used to make him happy no longer makes him happy. Not until he found his way to Wombat and their need for each other.
Barnabas' view was good too.
Thank you Storytide #epictastemakers for the opportunity to read and review. I listened to this audiobook via Libby app and Harper Audio. The narrator did a good job. Author's note indicated that this story was inspired by the Palisades and Eaton wildfire in Southern California.
This story followed three views: Wombat, a stray dog who lose siblings from cars and traffic, Henry, a young boy who had to evacuate due to the wildfires raging by his house, and Barnabas, an old bat.
Wombat heard a voice in his head. It told him to go towards the shelter close to the wildfire. Many animals she encountered along the way told her she's going the wrong way. The voice told her the wrong way is the right way. She doesn't have a home, often hungry, and is looking for her person so she decided to do what the voice says.
Henry loves to read and knows a lot about animals because his mom is a vet. He's sad that after the wildfire everything is no longer the same. School is no longer good because his friends had to move away to live in new places. The things that used to make him happy no longer makes him happy. Not until he found his way to Wombat and their need for each other.
Barnabas' view was good too.
Thank you Storytide #epictastemakers for the opportunity to read and review. I listened to this audiobook via Libby app and Harper Audio. The narrator did a good job. Author's note indicated that this story was inspired by the Palisades and Eaton wildfire in Southern California.
June 30, 2026
I was super disappointed in this. I generally really like Applegate, but this book fell flat on multiple fronts.
Nowhere near the heart of Ivan. Nor the characters of Endling. Nor even the history of Pocket Bear. This book fell well short of everything .
First and foremost, it is just plain boring. Plot is not really the driving factor in Applegate stories, so I wasn't too surprised, but this is even a step down from her usually incredibly slow pace. Not only does nothing happen, but when something does happen, it adds nothing to the later part of the story.
Saving the Owl, Barnabas, waiting on the bench. None of it matters, and none of it leads to anything.
The whole thing is set in the fires of LA, but it has Applegate's typical vague enough to say nothing political. Nothing.
The kid is constantly referencing his two moms. Neither of which are of any consequence. Nor are his neighbors, his sister, or anything else.
And the poetic writing is neither in verse, nor rhyming, nor in any way shape or form need to be in the poems. She wrote a story half as long as her others, and then put it in poetic form to stretch it to 300 pages. This is a 100 page book filling a page requirement.
I thought multiple times about putting it down it was so egregiously bad, I was bored, it just put me to sleep every time I tried to read it. For a kid's book, inexcusable.
Nowhere near the heart of Ivan. Nor the characters of Endling. Nor even the history of Pocket Bear. This book fell well short of everything .
First and foremost, it is just plain boring. Plot is not really the driving factor in Applegate stories, so I wasn't too surprised, but this is even a step down from her usually incredibly slow pace. Not only does nothing happen, but when something does happen, it adds nothing to the later part of the story.
Saving the Owl, Barnabas, waiting on the bench. None of it matters, and none of it leads to anything.
The whole thing is set in the fires of LA, but it has Applegate's typical vague enough to say nothing political. Nothing.
The kid is constantly referencing his two moms. Neither of which are of any consequence. Nor are his neighbors, his sister, or anything else.
And the poetic writing is neither in verse, nor rhyming, nor in any way shape or form need to be in the poems. She wrote a story half as long as her others, and then put it in poetic form to stretch it to 300 pages. This is a 100 page book filling a page requirement.
I thought multiple times about putting it down it was so egregiously bad, I was bored, it just put me to sleep every time I tried to read it. For a kid's book, inexcusable.
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.
May 15, 2026
The book has been finished and put onto my shelf. And yet I still have tears in my eyes. It’s hard to pick just one of Katherine Applegate’s books as a favorite. I’m pretty sure I can put Wishtree in the number one spot. And I think, maybe, Wombat Waiting is a close second. Maybe it’s simply because I fell in love with the wombat on my trip to Australia way back in 2019. After all, I’m really a cat person not a dog person. Which doesn’t mean I don’t love dogs. I loved Henry and his family. I loved how he needed to warm up to Wombat (and dogs in general) and how Wombat needed to learn to let people love her. I wish that Barnabas and the baby owl had had a little more time in the story, but that’s a very minor quibble. Another winner from Applegate, another book just full of heart.
June 8, 2026
The latest book from the author of “The One and Only Ivan”, we follow the title character who happens to be a stray dog named Wombat for how she looks shaggy and small. Told in verse, we follow her story set in California during a growing wildfire and she’s guided by a “voice” who might lead her to her destiny. We also meet other characters who play a part in Wombat’s story while trying to find shelter such an old fruit bat, a Northern owl and a young boy named Henry.
It’s another comforting and relatable story from Applegate as our title character is determined to find where she belongs while meeting many people and despite the dangers in her path. Wombat’s story never stops being so entertaining and reflective. Its inclusion of the real-life California wildfires also brings a bit of tension and information later on with Henry’s story. The verse-told narrative and the soft illustrations bring a well-woven book together.
Applegate’s fans will not be disappointed as “Wombat” is a touching story that shows hope can be found even in dangerous times.
A (100%/Outstanding)
It’s another comforting and relatable story from Applegate as our title character is determined to find where she belongs while meeting many people and despite the dangers in her path. Wombat’s story never stops being so entertaining and reflective. Its inclusion of the real-life California wildfires also brings a bit of tension and information later on with Henry’s story. The verse-told narrative and the soft illustrations bring a well-woven book together.
Applegate’s fans will not be disappointed as “Wombat” is a touching story that shows hope can be found even in dangerous times.
A (100%/Outstanding)
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 LGBTQ+ 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 ARC
Unfortunately, this book also contained LGBTQ+ 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 ARC
June 29, 2026
My 9 year old daughter read this book and insisted I should read it too. So I did. It's all written in free verse and can be finished in a couple hours. It was such a sweet story, hopeful and full of beautiful connections between people and animals. It also touched on themes of climate change and environmental disaster. A book for children is a true success when it's not really just for children at all, but can reach the hearts of anyone who reads it. This book succeeded on that front. My daughter loved this and intends to read more books by this author and I may just read them alongside her.
May 15, 2026
Welp, I’m a wreck. Her beautifully simple prose makes you fall in love with a dog finding her person, and believe that we can find hope in a hopeless time. Ugh brb, gotta go find some Kleenex.
May 2, 2026
This is the story of Wombat the stray dog and her journey of living, surviving and finding her person.
We also follow Henry a little boy whos life is turned upside down when a fire takes over his town and hes forced to leave.
I think this story is aimed for middle grade, but how it reads it feels like a children’s bedtime story. One that you might read with your elementary school kid or younger. It’s really small chapters. Only a few pages each chapter on the digital copy. It makes it feel less like a 300 page book and more like wombat tiny adventures.
“ Yep, her name is Wombat, and nope, she’s not a wombat.”
“ She didn’t have a place or a person, didn’t even have a real name yet.”
“ When you might never come back, it matters what you leave behind.”
Thank you to netgalley for this digital arc copy all opinions are my own.
We also follow Henry a little boy whos life is turned upside down when a fire takes over his town and hes forced to leave.
I think this story is aimed for middle grade, but how it reads it feels like a children’s bedtime story. One that you might read with your elementary school kid or younger. It’s really small chapters. Only a few pages each chapter on the digital copy. It makes it feel less like a 300 page book and more like wombat tiny adventures.
“ Yep, her name is Wombat, and nope, she’s not a wombat.”
“ She didn’t have a place or a person, didn’t even have a real name yet.”
“ When you might never come back, it matters what you leave behind.”
Thank you to netgalley for this digital arc copy all opinions are my own.
May 10, 2026
I love that this story is written in verse and is still poignant and captivating and full of everything that makes Applegate’s stories amazing. Willodeen is still my favourite but this is a close second. I will read it to my grade 3/4 class.
July 30, 2026
A homeless dog named Wombat follows whispers of the wind, heading kilometres away from her normal stomping grounds, straight for an area close to a fire. Every time she thinks it's time to stop, the wind urges her on, till she arrives in a town devastated by fire. Wombat settles on to a bench outside a community centre that's become a refuge for those fleeing the fire, and waits for her person.
When she sees him, she's thrilled, but he isn't. Henry and his mothers and little sister have left their home for the community centre. Henry loves looking at the stars, is kind, loves animals, and is scared of dogs.
It takes a while, and many at the community centre taking heart from Wombat's insistence on staying on the bench; she's become a sort of mascot, and a sign of resilience. Wombat is determined to wait for Henry to really see her and change his mind.
Ohmigoodness! This book made me cry. Repeatedly. Katherine Applegate tells Wombat's story in verse, and her story of persistence and patience did me in.
This is a story of compassion, kindness and love.
When she sees him, she's thrilled, but he isn't. Henry and his mothers and little sister have left their home for the community centre. Henry loves looking at the stars, is kind, loves animals, and is scared of dogs.
It takes a while, and many at the community centre taking heart from Wombat's insistence on staying on the bench; she's become a sort of mascot, and a sign of resilience. Wombat is determined to wait for Henry to really see her and change his mind.
Ohmigoodness! This book made me cry. Repeatedly. Katherine Applegate tells Wombat's story in verse, and her story of persistence and patience did me in.
This is a story of compassion, kindness and love.
July 8, 2026
5⭐️
What a wonderful and wholesome story 🥹 I love Wombat so much 🥰 this book found me in the bookstore and I debated buying it because its a middle grade book written in verse, so its much shorter than it appears. But I have no regrets haha this story made me cry multiple times and I will be keeping it for my future kiddos ❤️
What a wonderful and wholesome story 🥹 I love Wombat so much 🥰 this book found me in the bookstore and I debated buying it because its a middle grade book written in verse, so its much shorter than it appears. But I have no regrets haha this story made me cry multiple times and I will be keeping it for my future kiddos ❤️
July 25, 2026
A book about a dog finding her person had me in tears, what else is new?
July 26, 2026
Meet Wombat, a dog waiting for her person, in this tale of compassion and resilience.
June 14, 2026
Amazing book! Such a sweet and heartwarming story.
July 29, 2026
"When you might never come back, it matters what you leave behind."
November 2, 2026
This is a sweet novel in verse about a stray dog (Wombat) finding her destined person in the aftermath of a wildfire. It was sweet to see her get used to people, but I wasn’t a fan of the insta-connection she felt with Henry, and I felt like we saw very, very, VERY little of them interacting, so their ending connecting didn’t feel earned.
August 31, 2026
2.5
I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but this book was about 20% action and 80% WAITING.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but this book was about 20% action and 80% WAITING.
May 7, 2026
4.5 stars
Cute and exactly what I'm looking for in an Applegate book
Cute and exactly what I'm looking for in an Applegate book
June 15, 2026
Overall, it's a cute story, but I agree with some of the other reviews about letting parents know there is a same sex couple in the story. It really had nothing to do with the story and just felt like another author who felt the need to add a concept that kids don't need exposed to, especially the target audience of young kids. There are a couple of Bible verses that she changed the wording to, but unless you know Scripture, you wouldn't catch them, and they aren't used in a bad way. Again, I wish books had a "this book contains ..." so parents could make an informed decision based on what they believe. I'm disappointed because I've really liked her other stories.
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)
June 2, 2026
After reading Pocket Bear I fell in love with Katherine Applegate’s style, this was simple and cute. I didn’t think it was necessary there was a lesbian couple, I don’t like subtle things like that being sneaked into children’s books in the time we live in, but overall it was a sweet read, Wombat is so spunky and cute, I was a little disappointed that the owl and Barnabous weren’t in it as much as I thought they would be :(
Some quotes I liked:
“Turns out if you don't think about tomorrow or yesterday— if you focus on now, and now alone— today will take care of itself.”
-“Was it this way for all dogs?
Wombat felt like a sponge, soaking up human pain as if it were her own.” I loved how this one sums up animals and how sweet they all are
-“that there is no wrong way to talk to dogs, as long as your voice is kind.”
-“But when something bad happens, it comes together, stronger than ever, ready to start anew. She paused to wipe away a tear, and Wombat licked her hand. We take things for granted, she said, until we know they can vanish forever.”
-“As a lovely TV personality named Mister Rogers used to tell kids: "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping”
Some quotes I liked:
“Turns out if you don't think about tomorrow or yesterday— if you focus on now, and now alone— today will take care of itself.”
-“Was it this way for all dogs?
Wombat felt like a sponge, soaking up human pain as if it were her own.” I loved how this one sums up animals and how sweet they all are
-“that there is no wrong way to talk to dogs, as long as your voice is kind.”
-“But when something bad happens, it comes together, stronger than ever, ready to start anew. She paused to wipe away a tear, and Wombat licked her hand. We take things for granted, she said, until we know they can vanish forever.”
-“As a lovely TV personality named Mister Rogers used to tell kids: "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping”
June 30, 2026
This free verse novel is a fast read because of the writing style, but it is WAY too long for the minimal amount of plot that there is. This also skates past the potentially interesting elements of the story, such as the actual survival parts of escaping the wildfire.
A huge emphasis throughout this book is on "destiny," with the dog hearing voices and feeling called to particular things. It's difficult to suspend disbelief, and the story feels treacly and sentimental instead of real. This heavy-handed theme about destiny also means that there's zero suspense. I already knew exactly where the story was going, and just had to wait for it to finally get there.
A huge emphasis throughout this book is on "destiny," with the dog hearing voices and feeling called to particular things. It's difficult to suspend disbelief, and the story feels treacly and sentimental instead of real. This heavy-handed theme about destiny also means that there's zero suspense. I already knew exactly where the story was going, and just had to wait for it to finally get there.
February 26, 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.
July 7, 2026
Applegate is hit or miss. This one is definitely a miss as Henry has two mothers.
October 22, 2026
If you're looking for a book that is a combination of emotional insightfulness and personified animals, then I would absolutely recommend Wombat Waiting. Through this book, we are introduced to Wombat, a stray dog who only knows life on the street. There's also Henry, who's a boy with a love for animals, but an affliction towards dogs. The story follows Wombat's journey in following this voice that is leading her towards her destined person. As a jumpstart to the story, the Santa Ana winds catch and carry wildfires that devastate local neighborhoods, including Henry and his family. We are a witness to how their family are able to head to safety, but also how the community convenes in what to do after the fires die down. Some major themes in Wombat Waiting would be the importance of community, vulnerability, and patience. The importance of community is shown through the people in the emergency shelter as they sat together and discussed how to move forward, as people were getting antsy as they await the news of their homes after the wildfires. Vulnerability is portrayed through Henry and Wombats' character arcs. Henry prides himself with being the strong pillar in times of crisis, and understands that it's more helpful for his moms if he were to be stoic through these times. Wombat has learned to be wary of people, to keep to herself as that's the way she's learned to survive. Henry learns to let himself feel the loss of his home, and Wombat allows herself to be a tool for people's emotions through this traumatic event. Patience is portrayed through Wombat's character arc as she transitions from being impatient and aggressive to understanding and sensitive to others. I would argue the genre of Wombat Waiting is a novel in verse, based on the formatting of the story. There were pages that only had a few sentences, as if to emphasize a point. That style and the thought put behind it makes it a story told as a novel in verse. Children reading this book could learn that the power of empathy can help not only those close to you, but people in your community as well. They can also learn that it's okay to feel vulnerable, or that it's okay to not hide one's feelings for the betterment of others. There are moments when we need to express what we feel, and allow ourselves to rely on those around us.
I really loved this book because it had sprinkled moments of emotional awareness throughout the story. There are also moments of real events that people are going through, and in telling those kinds of stories in a way that's digestible for young readers is important for growing their global understanding. I also enjoyed the realistic approach of how it's not always easy to get from forming a goal to actually accomplishing it, especially as there are elements out of one's control. How this is portrayed is with Wombat changing what she can control, which is her approachability and empathy, and not forcing anyone else to do something they don't feel is right.
The author used the writing craft technique of anthropomorphism, as she gives human emotions and characteristics to animals in the story. This is shown specifically with Wombat, who is a stray dog. The author gives her the characteristic of being stubborn and impatient, and then takes her on a journey of becoming a more understanding character. Using this literary device created a perspective that the story cannot function without. It enhanced the story by making it a compelling and curious read, as we couldn't know what the author had in store with the animal characters until we read the story. Another writing craft technique used would be dramatic irony, where we are more informed than the characters are in the story. Where it's seen is when the audience is informed about Henry's fear of dogs, which is something that doesn't become very prevalent until it affects Wombat. Dramatic irony made the experience of reading the book more tense, but in a way that made you want to keep reading. The audience is made to have these expectations of a clean cut ending, but then there's these tidbits of information that can change that trajectory. The author portrayed anti-bias perspectives in this book by portraying Henry's family and community with realistic issues and reactions, focusing more on the dynamics they have with each other. This story also gives an insight on real issues, like the wildfires in California, and how it can give a child reading this a better understanding on how devastating it can be.
I really loved this book because it had sprinkled moments of emotional awareness throughout the story. There are also moments of real events that people are going through, and in telling those kinds of stories in a way that's digestible for young readers is important for growing their global understanding. I also enjoyed the realistic approach of how it's not always easy to get from forming a goal to actually accomplishing it, especially as there are elements out of one's control. How this is portrayed is with Wombat changing what she can control, which is her approachability and empathy, and not forcing anyone else to do something they don't feel is right.
The author used the writing craft technique of anthropomorphism, as she gives human emotions and characteristics to animals in the story. This is shown specifically with Wombat, who is a stray dog. The author gives her the characteristic of being stubborn and impatient, and then takes her on a journey of becoming a more understanding character. Using this literary device created a perspective that the story cannot function without. It enhanced the story by making it a compelling and curious read, as we couldn't know what the author had in store with the animal characters until we read the story. Another writing craft technique used would be dramatic irony, where we are more informed than the characters are in the story. Where it's seen is when the audience is informed about Henry's fear of dogs, which is something that doesn't become very prevalent until it affects Wombat. Dramatic irony made the experience of reading the book more tense, but in a way that made you want to keep reading. The audience is made to have these expectations of a clean cut ending, but then there's these tidbits of information that can change that trajectory. The author portrayed anti-bias perspectives in this book by portraying Henry's family and community with realistic issues and reactions, focusing more on the dynamics they have with each other. This story also gives an insight on real issues, like the wildfires in California, and how it can give a child reading this a better understanding on how devastating it can be.
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