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Waylon! #1
Waylon! One Awesome Thing
From the creators of the New York Times bestselling series Clementine comes another chapter book collection that will keep readers engaged and laughing until the very last page.
Waylon has lots of ideas for making life more awesome through science, like teleportation, human gills, and attracting cupcakes by controlling gravity. But it's impossible for him to concentrate on his inventions when he's experiencing his own personal Big Bang.
Arlo Brody is dividing the fourth grade boys into two groups. Waylon would rather be friends with everyone. Well, everyone except the scary new kid, Baxter Boylen.
Waylon's older sister, Neon, is shooting away from the family. He wishes everything would go back to the way it was before she started wearing all black and saying "What's the point?" all the time.
Just when it looks as though Waylon's universe is exploding, something happens to bring it all together again, and it is, without a doubt, One Awesome Thing.
Waylon has lots of ideas for making life more awesome through science, like teleportation, human gills, and attracting cupcakes by controlling gravity. But it's impossible for him to concentrate on his inventions when he's experiencing his own personal Big Bang.
Arlo Brody is dividing the fourth grade boys into two groups. Waylon would rather be friends with everyone. Well, everyone except the scary new kid, Baxter Boylen.
Waylon's older sister, Neon, is shooting away from the family. He wishes everything would go back to the way it was before she started wearing all black and saying "What's the point?" all the time.
Just when it looks as though Waylon's universe is exploding, something happens to bring it all together again, and it is, without a doubt, One Awesome Thing.
224 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2016
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585 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
July 30, 2017
Meet Waylon: his school’s Most “Scientiest” Kid.
Waylon is filled with ideas for making life better through science. Teleportation, human gills, and a pretty rockin’ cupcake delivery service where you manipulate gravity, so cupcakes come directly to you. Bonus: you never have to leave the couch. Science enabled laziness? SIGN ME UP.
However, It’s impossible for poor Waylon to concentrate on his scientific advancements when everything in his life is spontaneously combusting. Arlo Brody, the undisputed King of the 4th Grade, is dividing boys into two groups: Shark-Punchers and The Others (methinks Arlo has been watching too much LOST). Waylon’s about peace, love, & happiness and wants to be friends with everyone. He has no need for cliques and arbitrary social division. Well...he wouldn’t mind avoiding new kid Baxter Boylen. Rumor has it, Baxter’s been in jail. Yes, apparently even brainy Waylon can be victim to kid urban legend.
Meanwhile at home Waylon’s older sister, Neon, seems to have vanished and left a martian in her stead. Waylon just wants his old sister back, not this alien creature who wears only black, repeatedly utters “what’s the point?” like it’s her mantra, and refuses to respond to her real name. Charlotte, btw.
Just when it looks like Waylon’s universe is about to explode, something brings it all together. And it’s without a doubt, One Awesome Thing.
For Clementine fans, our fave plucky red-head does make an appearance, albeit brief. The story though, is genuinely focused on Waylon. And what distinguishes this novel is that it centers on a frequently unaddressed male protagonist. The quiet, sensitive, smart boy. So much male-centered elementary fiction focuses on Daring!Boys or Class!Clowns. The quiet, thoughtful boy has been ignored, underserved and underrepresented. In considering the We Need Diverse Books movement, I’ve found that in addition to diversity in race, ethnicity, gender identity, physicality, religion, and LGBTQA--we need stories that reflect a broader range of personalities. Kids want to see themselves reflected in the books they read. Not everyone is an adventurer. Or a future stand-up comedian. And kids need to realize that being male doesn’t equate to being athletic, funny, or reckless. That masculinity shouldn’t be limiting.
I give Waylon a hearty two thumbs up. A great addition to any collection and a fantastic read.
Waylon is filled with ideas for making life better through science. Teleportation, human gills, and a pretty rockin’ cupcake delivery service where you manipulate gravity, so cupcakes come directly to you. Bonus: you never have to leave the couch. Science enabled laziness? SIGN ME UP.
However, It’s impossible for poor Waylon to concentrate on his scientific advancements when everything in his life is spontaneously combusting. Arlo Brody, the undisputed King of the 4th Grade, is dividing boys into two groups: Shark-Punchers and The Others (methinks Arlo has been watching too much LOST). Waylon’s about peace, love, & happiness and wants to be friends with everyone. He has no need for cliques and arbitrary social division. Well...he wouldn’t mind avoiding new kid Baxter Boylen. Rumor has it, Baxter’s been in jail. Yes, apparently even brainy Waylon can be victim to kid urban legend.
Meanwhile at home Waylon’s older sister, Neon, seems to have vanished and left a martian in her stead. Waylon just wants his old sister back, not this alien creature who wears only black, repeatedly utters “what’s the point?” like it’s her mantra, and refuses to respond to her real name. Charlotte, btw.
Just when it looks like Waylon’s universe is about to explode, something brings it all together. And it’s without a doubt, One Awesome Thing.
For Clementine fans, our fave plucky red-head does make an appearance, albeit brief. The story though, is genuinely focused on Waylon. And what distinguishes this novel is that it centers on a frequently unaddressed male protagonist. The quiet, sensitive, smart boy. So much male-centered elementary fiction focuses on Daring!Boys or Class!Clowns. The quiet, thoughtful boy has been ignored, underserved and underrepresented. In considering the We Need Diverse Books movement, I’ve found that in addition to diversity in race, ethnicity, gender identity, physicality, religion, and LGBTQA--we need stories that reflect a broader range of personalities. Kids want to see themselves reflected in the books they read. Not everyone is an adventurer. Or a future stand-up comedian. And kids need to realize that being male doesn’t equate to being athletic, funny, or reckless. That masculinity shouldn’t be limiting.
I give Waylon a hearty two thumbs up. A great addition to any collection and a fantastic read.
March 23, 2022
In this companion series to Clementine, we spend time with her classmate Waylon Jennings. Waylon is as science kid and the changing dynamics of being a boy in 4th grade are causing him problems. The boys in the class want to pick sides and have opposing teams. Waylon just can't pick a team. He would rather be a bridge. Then at home, big sister Charlotte is going through her own teenage crisis wearing all black and calling herself Neon. What happened to the big sister who would play OAT (One Awesome Thing) with him and repeat lines from Lonleyville, their father's play? Could Waylon be a bridge between his sister and parents? This is a heartwarming and humorous book with a healthy dose of common sense. I especially loved the weekend activity where Waylon accompanies his father who spends an afternoon in the park as a living statue of Benjamin Franklin.
April 19, 2016
I was so sad when I heard that Sara Pennypacker had written her last Clementine book, but I would have felt so much better if I had known that Waylon was on the way. Clementine fans will be thrilled to note that Clementine makes a couple of cameos, and observant ones will already be a little familiar with science whiz Waylon, who appeared in earlier books as one of Clementine's classmates.
What I love about this book is that Waylon is like the little boys who are in my life, but who I don't always see portrayed well in kids' books. So often boys are written as rowdy and loud, with scraped knees and baseball bats forever in tow. We see quiet, thoughtful boys less often. Neither kind of boy is better or worse, but the gentler variety has gotten short shrift from authors, so it's nice to see that being addressed by an author as skilled as Sara Pennypacker. Waylon was a joy to read. I plan on gifting a copy of this book to two moms with young boys. (You know who you are. Keep an eye out.) And book two in the trilogy can't come soon enough for my taste.
What I love about this book is that Waylon is like the little boys who are in my life, but who I don't always see portrayed well in kids' books. So often boys are written as rowdy and loud, with scraped knees and baseball bats forever in tow. We see quiet, thoughtful boys less often. Neither kind of boy is better or worse, but the gentler variety has gotten short shrift from authors, so it's nice to see that being addressed by an author as skilled as Sara Pennypacker. Waylon was a joy to read. I plan on gifting a copy of this book to two moms with young boys. (You know who you are. Keep an eye out.) And book two in the trilogy can't come soon enough for my taste.
August 8, 2016
Clementine's classmate Waylon, "the scienciest kid in the whole school" becomes the protagonist in this sweet and funny story of 4th grade friends and enemies and scientific (and personal) discoveries. Waylon is worried - Arlo, the most popular kid in school - is forming a team, and he isn't sure if he wants Waylon to be on it. But if Waylon isn't chosen for the Shark-Punchers (!) then he'll have to be on The Others. But what if they don't want him either? Lots of kids think he's weird because of his bad habit of blurting out scientific facts at a moment's notice. And why do there have to be teams anyway - can't everyone just get along? Things aren't much better at home, where Waylon's beloved older sister has turned into a crabby dyed black hair and black fingernail polished teenager who stays in her room whenever she's home. Marla Frazee's penciled line drawings only add to the charm of this book that will be a hit with Clementine fans and many more.
September 25, 2019
Imo doesn't have quite the same magic as the Clementine books, but still pretty awesome for kids 1st-4th grade. I want to read the novelization of the movie that the father wrote, *Lonelyville.* A terrific family read-aloud, as you'll laugh together and have things to talk about, for example Living Statues, Neon, Arlo, Baxter, and Dumpster Eddy. Nothing too intense, but def. less 'sugar and spice' and more 'snips and snails.' Don't get me wrong, though, it's still very sweet and warm.
Shout out to the book designer for using the end-papers, but doing so in a way that leaves them usable by libraries and patrons! And I love that the handwritten lists there are (apparently) from a real kid.
Shout out to the book designer for using the end-papers, but doing so in a way that leaves them usable by libraries and patrons! And I love that the handwritten lists there are (apparently) from a real kid.
November 27, 2017
First sentence: Waylon craned his neck. "Moon at the nearest point in its orbit--check. Clouds--check. But Joe, I'm telling you--"
Premise/plot: Waylon is in fourth grade, and it's complicated. Most of the time, he's happy to just be--to be himself, to be excited about anything and everything connected to science and nature. But some of the time, well, he starts to imagine how he appears to others. "As though he was outside his body watching himself. Not extraterrestrial others. Extraterrestrials watching wouldn't bother him at all. If they were looking down from their space pods. Waylon felt sure they would grok him. Grok was a word he'd learned in a science fiction story. It meant to understand something so completely you practically merged with it. No, it wasn't extraterrestrials he worried about, it was other human kids. And when Waylon imagined other human kids watching him, he imagined them laughing--not nice laughs, but mean smirks" (22-3). In the past few weeks, his class has started dividing into teams. And he HATES that. Why do they need to divide into an "us" and "them." And which team would he want to be on if he has to be on a team. But the arrival of a not-so-new-kid, Baxter, changes the class dynamics. Is there hope for Waylon after all?
My thoughts: I loved Sara Pennypacker's Clementine series. LOVED. This fourth grade class has Clementine in it, but the narrator is Waylon. And to be honest, Waylon is more interested in science, sports, and dogs than in girls. I really enjoyed this chapter book. Some names will be familiar to readers--since so many elements of Clementine's stories focused on her school life. It didn't take many chapters for me to love Waylon for himself.
I loved the characters, the writing, the story, and the illustrations.
Premise/plot: Waylon is in fourth grade, and it's complicated. Most of the time, he's happy to just be--to be himself, to be excited about anything and everything connected to science and nature. But some of the time, well, he starts to imagine how he appears to others. "As though he was outside his body watching himself. Not extraterrestrial others. Extraterrestrials watching wouldn't bother him at all. If they were looking down from their space pods. Waylon felt sure they would grok him. Grok was a word he'd learned in a science fiction story. It meant to understand something so completely you practically merged with it. No, it wasn't extraterrestrials he worried about, it was other human kids. And when Waylon imagined other human kids watching him, he imagined them laughing--not nice laughs, but mean smirks" (22-3). In the past few weeks, his class has started dividing into teams. And he HATES that. Why do they need to divide into an "us" and "them." And which team would he want to be on if he has to be on a team. But the arrival of a not-so-new-kid, Baxter, changes the class dynamics. Is there hope for Waylon after all?
My thoughts: I loved Sara Pennypacker's Clementine series. LOVED. This fourth grade class has Clementine in it, but the narrator is Waylon. And to be honest, Waylon is more interested in science, sports, and dogs than in girls. I really enjoyed this chapter book. Some names will be familiar to readers--since so many elements of Clementine's stories focused on her school life. It didn't take many chapters for me to love Waylon for himself.
I loved the characters, the writing, the story, and the illustrations.
May 21, 2018
Really fun story of a 4th grade boy who is struggling to fit in with his classmates, & is a science geek. This would make a great read aloud for elementary classes! (Library)
May 25, 2020
4 ⭐
(4 stars)
(4 stars)
March 8, 2024
Pretty simple book probably properly aimed at the target audience. My kids listened but I don't think it kept their attention as well as others
March 7, 2016
Waylon is described as "the scienciest kid in the whole school". He questions whether he can invent something to counteract gravity, and puts together a project for safety of the community using this idea. He has so many ideas that he needs to buy a journal to keep track of them. Unfortunately, everything is not going as planned for Waylon.
Fourth grader Waylon is a member of a class where the boys have been divided into two opposing teams by Arlo, the undisputed "King of Fourth Grade". Waylon is not on either team and he describes himself as the isthmus between the two teams as well as between his parents and his rebellious sister Charlotte, who calls herself Neon. Baxter, the new kid, (he attended their school for a short time last year, earning the reputation of a scary individual who rumours said had been arrested) is also not on a team and through various circumstances, he and Waylon become companions who are not friends, but not not friends.
We meet many interesting and wonderful characters such as his fourteen-year-old sister Neon who responds to everything with "what's the point", Baxter Boylon who is not really a trouble maker, but wants everyone to think he is, as well as various friends and teachers.
This is a wonderful school story that deals with being true to yourself, being a true and loyal friends, not following the "popular" kids for the sake of being popular yourself and standing up for yourself and others. I really enjoyed this story and think it is a great one for public, school and classroom libraries. It is a great read for children 8 to 12.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Fourth grader Waylon is a member of a class where the boys have been divided into two opposing teams by Arlo, the undisputed "King of Fourth Grade". Waylon is not on either team and he describes himself as the isthmus between the two teams as well as between his parents and his rebellious sister Charlotte, who calls herself Neon. Baxter, the new kid, (he attended their school for a short time last year, earning the reputation of a scary individual who rumours said had been arrested) is also not on a team and through various circumstances, he and Waylon become companions who are not friends, but not not friends.
We meet many interesting and wonderful characters such as his fourteen-year-old sister Neon who responds to everything with "what's the point", Baxter Boylon who is not really a trouble maker, but wants everyone to think he is, as well as various friends and teachers.
This is a wonderful school story that deals with being true to yourself, being a true and loyal friends, not following the "popular" kids for the sake of being popular yourself and standing up for yourself and others. I really enjoyed this story and think it is a great one for public, school and classroom libraries. It is a great read for children 8 to 12.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2016
For Waylon, fourth grade is shaping up to be, well, less than awesome. It all started when Arlo, the undisputed king of the fourth-grade boys, decided to divide the boys up into teams. At first, Arlo said he wanted Waylon on his team, but now he seems to have changed his mind. What if Arlo doesn't put Waylon on either team? Also, Baxter Boylin, troublemaker extraordinaire, has returned to school. What if Arlo puts Waylon and Baxter on a team by themselves? Waylon has always loved science facts and finding the "one awesome thing" every day, but now he's having trouble finding anything awesome about school.
I was so sad to see the end of the Clementine series, and I'm so excited to see this new collaboration by Pennypacker and Frazee. This series features a different main character from the same class, so Clementine and other familiar characters make cameo appearances, but Waylon (once described by Clementine as "the scienciest kid" in her class) is the star. And I have to say, this first book is pretty great. In fact, I suspect that this series is just going to keep getting . . . Even! More! Awesome!
I was so sad to see the end of the Clementine series, and I'm so excited to see this new collaboration by Pennypacker and Frazee. This series features a different main character from the same class, so Clementine and other familiar characters make cameo appearances, but Waylon (once described by Clementine as "the scienciest kid" in her class) is the star. And I have to say, this first book is pretty great. In fact, I suspect that this series is just going to keep getting . . . Even! More! Awesome!
November 11, 2020
This is a very good book to complement the Clementine series. This series will be perfect for grades 2, 3, and 4. I don't believe it would have a large following beyond 4th grade and perhaps even grades 2 and 3 would be best. However, now that I am thinking about it the vocabulary used by Waylon can be pretty extensive. He is incredibly into science and inventions which I love about his character, but it does mean some big vocabulary.
Overall, a solid read. Students who like school stories and realistic fiction would enjoy this book. Fans of CLemtine will absolutely love this series.
Overall, a solid read. Students who like school stories and realistic fiction would enjoy this book. Fans of CLemtine will absolutely love this series.
February 1, 2016
Never fear those mourning the end of CLEMENTINE. WAYLON continues the tradition of elegant plotting, engaging and genuine characters, giggle worthy situations, and that superb emotional attachment that is the Pennypacker signature.
May 2, 2016
I like Waylon! I admire how he tries to remain true to himself despite the pressures of his "cool" classmates. I appreciate his questions of loyalty and friendship, along with his commitment to science, true facts, understanding and family. I can't wait to read more of him.
August 20, 2016
This is a fun book that teaches about working together as well as not judging people before knowing them. I like the idea of noticing One Awesome Thing each day. I will read this to my grade 4 class and see if we can have a daily OAT to share.
August 26, 2016
This book was pretty cute! I am not very familiar with Clementine, but you don't need to be to enjoy this book. Waylon is a great character. He's quiet, thoughtful, mostly kind and not sporty. He just is himself. Also, the drama felt so quietly real.
July 4, 2016
bookaday #42. I've found a new book boyfriend - if he was 40 years older, of course! Scienciest with loads of heart, deep thinker and loves dogs!
October 4, 2016
From the author of the popular Clementine series. Science-obsessed Waylon is a fellow fourth-grader in Clementine's class. Can science help him solve the social dilemmas of recess teams?
June 20, 2024
Waylon is a curious, bright child given to blurting out random factoids. He just loves truthful scientific information and doesn’t understand why other people aren’t as mesmerized as he is.
This is one of those fictional children who are awe-struck by the world in which they live and wish to share that enchantment with others. It makes them sparkle and bubble on the page. You could almost imagine them being a joy to the right sort of teacher.
His life isn’t perfect by any means. He’s encountering the dangers of peer pressure and dealing with a sister who’s entered her Goth phase, much to his distress and his parents’s sadness. So he must use his know-how, along with sage advice from his parental units, to save the day.
This isn’t one of those stories where the kids are sassy know-it-alls while all the grownups are clueless losers (thank goodness!). It is a little disconcerting to see a bunch of children fool a whole roomful of police officers. You expect better of the boys and girls in blue. But it’s all in a good cause and ultimately harmless fun.
Waylon Jennings (yes, that’s his name) is a boy to watch out for and one to watch. You wonder where that curios brain of his will take him next.
This is one of those fictional children who are awe-struck by the world in which they live and wish to share that enchantment with others. It makes them sparkle and bubble on the page. You could almost imagine them being a joy to the right sort of teacher.
His life isn’t perfect by any means. He’s encountering the dangers of peer pressure and dealing with a sister who’s entered her Goth phase, much to his distress and his parents’s sadness. So he must use his know-how, along with sage advice from his parental units, to save the day.
This isn’t one of those stories where the kids are sassy know-it-alls while all the grownups are clueless losers (thank goodness!). It is a little disconcerting to see a bunch of children fool a whole roomful of police officers. You expect better of the boys and girls in blue. But it’s all in a good cause and ultimately harmless fun.
Waylon Jennings (yes, that’s his name) is a boy to watch out for and one to watch. You wonder where that curios brain of his will take him next.
March 21, 2018
Sara Pennypacker, of Clementine fame, has begun a new series featuring Waylon, a kindhearted science lover. He is on a mission to save Dumpster Eddy, a stray dog who is in and out of the local animal shelter. Although neither Waylon nor his friend, Baxter, can have a dog at home, the boys are on a mission to spring Eddy one last time from the shelter and keep him off the street. Full of humor and featuring a multidimensional character, this is a book that will appeal to early chapter book readers. Recommended.
And, Clementine shares the lunch table with Waylon. Kids will enjoy seeing Clementine again.
And, Clementine shares the lunch table with Waylon. Kids will enjoy seeing Clementine again.
November 23, 2019
Waylon has lots of ideas for making life more awesome through science, like teleportation, human gills, and attracting cupcakes by controlling gravity. But it's impossible for him to concentrate on his inventions when he's experiencing his own personal Big Bang.
Arlo Brody is dividing the fourth grade boys into two groups. Waylon would rather be friends with everyone. Well, everyone except the scary new kid, Baxter Boylen.
Waylon's older sister, Neon, is shooting away from the family. He wishes everything would go back to the way it was before she started wearing all black and saying "What's the point?" all the time.
Just when it looks as though Waylon's universe is exploding, something happens to bring it all together again, and it is, without a doubt, One Awesome Thing.
Arlo Brody is dividing the fourth grade boys into two groups. Waylon would rather be friends with everyone. Well, everyone except the scary new kid, Baxter Boylen.
Waylon's older sister, Neon, is shooting away from the family. He wishes everything would go back to the way it was before she started wearing all black and saying "What's the point?" all the time.
Just when it looks as though Waylon's universe is exploding, something happens to bring it all together again, and it is, without a doubt, One Awesome Thing.
November 24, 2017
Sara Pennypacker is one of the most delightfully consistent middle grade writers. You always know what to expect. Namely, a quirky protagonist with a character trait that (endearingly) hampers them in social situations, a slightly over-reaching vocabulary, and plenty of situational irony
I enjoyed Waylon and picked this as a read aloud for my own class of socially hampered third graders. They are enjoying Waylon as a character (which I admit surprised me) and are taking his issues on as their own. Picking sides, dealing with the power of popularity, and starting to feel like your peers are judging you all make for excellent discussion, both in the book and in the real world.
I enjoyed Waylon and picked this as a read aloud for my own class of socially hampered third graders. They are enjoying Waylon as a character (which I admit surprised me) and are taking his issues on as their own. Picking sides, dealing with the power of popularity, and starting to feel like your peers are judging you all make for excellent discussion, both in the book and in the real world.
August 7, 2018
Waylon is such a science geek that he comes up with radical, awesome solutions for just about any problem he has. Unfortunately, he can’t seem to solve the problem of popular boy Arlo Brody separating the entire fourth grade into groups, or factions. Waylon just wants to be friends with everyone!
Just like gravity, when things look their worst and hit bottom, everything starts going up and Waylon inadvertently comes up with the perfect solution to bring everyone together!
This sweet title will leave our sciency readers cheering and should be enjoyed most by our fourth graders and up. Read in preparation for #obob2019.
Just like gravity, when things look their worst and hit bottom, everything starts going up and Waylon inadvertently comes up with the perfect solution to bring everyone together!
This sweet title will leave our sciency readers cheering and should be enjoyed most by our fourth graders and up. Read in preparation for #obob2019.
August 16, 2019
This is such a cute series. We read them backwards because we got Book 2 as an ARC from the publisher and read it about a year ago, but finally got back to reading this book, and it's super fun. My 7yo also enjoyed it, and its been our bedtime read for the past few weeks. At one point he decided he didn't want to be done and I had to read two chapters on my own because he'd read them to himself after I left the room! But those are the best stories, and definitely recommend this series to early elementary, middle graders who need chapter books that are fun, deal with serious issues of friends and family and fitting in, and have illustrations and engaging art to go with them.
July 25, 2017
Things seem to change from 3rd grade to fourth grade in school and in family. Waylon is learning to navigate 4th grade. He is much more self-aware, realizing that even when he knows the answer sometimes it is better not to look so smart. It is not cool. does he want to stay with the old friends or look at new relationships.
Speaking of cool, his older sister, Neon, is having issues of self-awareness as well.
Dealing with change is difficult, but you can't go back so you must figure out how to go forward. Both Waylon and Neon have unique ways of handling this.
Speaking of cool, his older sister, Neon, is having issues of self-awareness as well.
Dealing with change is difficult, but you can't go back so you must figure out how to go forward. Both Waylon and Neon have unique ways of handling this.
August 3, 2018
I really enjoyed this book, which is about a boy in Clementine's class (Clementine from the series of books by that name). This book touches on some good lessons for kids: (including others, not judging people by first impressions) but does so without being at all heavy-handed or preachy. Waylon is a believable character and the story is amusing and well-told. This book would be a fun one to read aloud to a group or class because it has enough action and humor to keep it interesting and also has some interesting issues to discuss.
October 18, 2018
OBOB 2019, book 13. Waylon is a neighbor and classmate of Clementine, Pennypacker’s Ramona-esque character featured in many novels. I think it’s genius to provide a male counterpart to a successful female protagonist series. I’m surprised more authors don’t do this. I liked Waylon and his adventures, and can see how his series could be very appealing to elementary and middle school boys. My favorite parts of the book were the interactions Waylon had with his sister. Overall, the book didn’t stick out to me as a favorite though.
May 18, 2022
Waylon! One Awesome Thing is about a young boy who likes science. Waylon is having a hard time joining a team because he has friends on both of the teams but, the teams are not allies with one another. But even worse, everything goes upside down when a new student joins Waylon's class. Can Waylon try to make everything normal?
I give this book 5 stars because the book was good and it had deeper meaning to the charecters in the book. I reccomand this book to people that have a hard time picking which people they want to join. This book is also a type of science fiction book.
I give this book 5 stars because the book was good and it had deeper meaning to the charecters in the book. I reccomand this book to people that have a hard time picking which people they want to join. This book is also a type of science fiction book.
August 16, 2017
So many books recently have featured super science-y kids that I was kind of tired of the trope, but not all books include a feud between two groups of fourth graders, a boy with a uncanny connection to a jail (or is it?) and a Ben Franklin statue costume. Well worth the time and would be a fun read-aloud. Offers some good connections for talking about friendship and school community.
September 1, 2017
Maybe I loved this because Waylon and his sister Charlotte/Neon remind me so much of my own children. Or maybe I loved it because I love just about everything Pennypacker writes, and Frazee is in my top 10 illustrators. But also this just perfectly captures those school kid politics and how hard it is for the kids who don't (or don't want to) slot themselves into a specific clique.
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