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Wayside School #2
Wayside School is Falling Down
Bestselling and Newbery Medal-winning author Louis Sachar knows how to make readers laugh. And there are laughs galore in perennial favorite Wayside School Is Falling Down, now available for the first time in ebook format! This early middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 3 to 5, especially during homeschooling. It’s a fun way to keep your child entertained and engaged while not in the classroom.
Yum! Miss Mush is dishing out her famous Mushroom Surprise in the Wayside School cafeteria. Ron says it tastes like hot dogs and grape jelly. Clean your plate and you’ll turn green in time for class picture day. Wear your craziest outfit and you’ll fit right in between Maurecia in her striped bikini and Calvin, who’s wearing his birthday tattoo. Say cheese!
And get ready for Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom, the brand-new, fourth installment in the series, and the first in twenty-five years!
More than fifteen million readers have laughed at the clever and hilarious stories of Wayside School. So what are you waiting for? Come visit Wayside School!
Yum! Miss Mush is dishing out her famous Mushroom Surprise in the Wayside School cafeteria. Ron says it tastes like hot dogs and grape jelly. Clean your plate and you’ll turn green in time for class picture day. Wear your craziest outfit and you’ll fit right in between Maurecia in her striped bikini and Calvin, who’s wearing his birthday tattoo. Say cheese!
And get ready for Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom, the brand-new, fourth installment in the series, and the first in twenty-five years!
More than fifteen million readers have laughed at the clever and hilarious stories of Wayside School. So what are you waiting for? Come visit Wayside School!
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1989
982 people are currently reading
10029 people want to read
About the author
Louis Sachar
96 books4,698 followersLouis Sachar (pronounced Sacker), born March 20, 1954, is an American author of children's books.
Louis was born in East Meadow, New York, in 1954. When he was nine, he moved to Tustin, California. He went to college at the University of California at Berkeley and graduated in 1976, as an economics major. The next year, he wrote his first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School .
He was working at a sweater warehouse during the day and wrote at night. Almost a year later, he was fired from the job. He decided to go to law school. He attended Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.
His first book was published while he was in law school. He graduated in 1980. For the next eight years he worked part-time as a lawyer and continued to try to write children's books. Then his books started selling well enough so that he was able to quit practicing law. His wife's name is Carla. When he first met her, she was a counselor at an elementary school. She was the inspiration behind the counselor in There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom . He was married in 1985. Hisdaughter, Sherre, was born in 1987.
Louis was born in East Meadow, New York, in 1954. When he was nine, he moved to Tustin, California. He went to college at the University of California at Berkeley and graduated in 1976, as an economics major. The next year, he wrote his first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School .
He was working at a sweater warehouse during the day and wrote at night. Almost a year later, he was fired from the job. He decided to go to law school. He attended Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.
His first book was published while he was in law school. He graduated in 1980. For the next eight years he worked part-time as a lawyer and continued to try to write children's books. Then his books started selling well enough so that he was able to quit practicing law. His wife's name is Carla. When he first met her, she was a counselor at an elementary school. She was the inspiration behind the counselor in There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom . He was married in 1985. Hisdaughter, Sherre, was born in 1987.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,361 reviews
June 26, 2012
Does anyone else remember that heavenly smell of newsprint in school when you fill out your order form for your book club? And your moms neatly signed check in your chubby fist, paper clipped to your book mark sized list ready to turn in. *batts eyes* And the excitement when you see piles and piles of books rubber banded together knowing your about to get your hands on your own stack. Sorry, got lost in a moment.
December 16, 2019
My all-knowing son didn't want to read this. I remembered reading it in grade school. He rolled his eyes quite a bit but do you know who won??!! Me!! (In your face, sucker!) And he LOVED it. Wouldn't shut up about each chapter. Then I rolled my eyes quite a bit. Yeah I know, I know; It's funny! It's so dumb yet witty. Lots of giggling going on here. I won. He's a sucker. :)
December 29, 2022
If only all schools could be as much fun as this one. One of my favorite children's books.
Re-read with Liam Dec 2022
Re-read with Liam Dec 2022
June 17, 2011
This was the first book I ever bought at a school book fair and it will remain one of my favorites. I recently decided to read one chapter of it each night to my 6 year old son. I loved the sounds of his giggles and howling laughter as I read the stories that made me laugh so hard I couldn't breathe as a child. I was afraid that he wouldn't love the stories as much as I had as a child. I was also afraid that I wouldn't find the stories as entertaining this time around. I was very wrong! The delightful little children on the top floor of this silly school still put me in stitches and kept my son's usually waivering attention. I am so glad I decided to revisit this part of my childhood and brought my son along for the hilarious ride.
August 3, 2024
Don't worry Benjamin, everyone is weird here at Wayside School. Even the building. 🫠
☆☆☆(3 stars)
☆☆☆(3 stars)
January 24, 2020
Book 2 in one of my favorite childhood series. I've been wanting to revisit these for so many years and finally doing it.
August 21, 2021
This book is both genius and absolutely terrifying. I think I belong in the nineteenth story.
January 12, 2013
I read this book because my 2nd-grader liked it so much and recommended it to me. He normally will tell me about books he's read, but since this was the first one he wanted me to read, I thought I'd give it a try. Plus, I wanted to be able to discuss it knowledgably with him. Louis Sachar is a clever writer who, I believe, appeals to all ages. His many puns and literal interpretations of figurative sayings were delightful, and my son and I enjoyed talking about our favorite parts. Here's one we shared:
Mrs. Jewls (the nicest teacher at Wayside School) is talking about how our clothes aren't what makes us important or great. When Stephen's tie ripped in half, he says...
"'Now I'm not great and important anymore.' 'Yes you are, Stephen.' said Mrs. Jewls. 'You're just as great and important as you ever were.'
'I am?' Stephen asked.
'Certainly,' said Mrs. Jewls. 'The tie didn't make you important. It doesn't matter what you wear on the outside. It's what's underneath that counts.'
'Underneath?' asked Stephen.
'Yes,' said Mrs. Jewls. 'If you want to be great and important, you have to wear expensive underpants.'"
Mrs. Jewls (the nicest teacher at Wayside School) is talking about how our clothes aren't what makes us important or great. When Stephen's tie ripped in half, he says...
"'Now I'm not great and important anymore.' 'Yes you are, Stephen.' said Mrs. Jewls. 'You're just as great and important as you ever were.'
'I am?' Stephen asked.
'Certainly,' said Mrs. Jewls. 'The tie didn't make you important. It doesn't matter what you wear on the outside. It's what's underneath that counts.'
'Underneath?' asked Stephen.
'Yes,' said Mrs. Jewls. 'If you want to be great and important, you have to wear expensive underpants.'"
March 22, 2021
I wanted to read something light and entertaining (plus I needed to read a book with a window on it for a challenge) so I decided to read this. I must say this is very different. It's zany and this school must be in the Twilight Zone as not much makes sense! The teacher is way out there and it's a miracle the kids actually learn anything. I did find it entertaining but not really funny. It's too strange to be funny in my opinion. What I did appreciate was the randomness of the story. Some parts were more brilliant than others - like about the three Eric's going to the principal's office or about the honest girl who found the money. And the substitute gave a brilliant answer at the end! Some chapters were just too strange. And maybe I'm weird but I really don't like their teacher? She doesn't seem to know what is going on. . .
I think the think I like best is the art on the cover. The picture is colorful and fun.
I think the think I like best is the art on the cover. The picture is colorful and fun.
February 7, 2025
I read this back when I had one or more children in the target ages for this; this time I heard it on audiobook read by Sachar (it rhymes with backer) himself and enjoyed it just as much. However, this time I listened to the first book prior to that, which I don't think I did last time. In a word this book is fun. The stories are silly, many are completely unbelievable, but they are well-written silly stories that sometimes have good lessons attached. What's more, the author appears as the yard teacher. On the one hand, the blurb gives you an idea of what some of the stories are like, but on the other hand it's not nearly as well done as the book is.
I just found out that a fourth installment was published in 2020--I wonder how it compares with the first three?
I just found out that a fourth installment was published in 2020--I wonder how it compares with the first three?
November 9, 2022
Cleanliness:
Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities and Substitutions - 7 Incidents: stupid, dumb, shut up, darn, rats
Name Calling - 16 Incidents: weirdo, fat as a hippopotamus, head full of oatmeal, birdbrain, dumb jerk, stupid, buzzard face, devil, Mugworm Griblick, (Ketchup Head, Muskrat, Milly Mole, Dr. Seuss, Garbage Pail, Mr. Magoo all used in kids' teasing rhymes), weirdos
Religious & Supernatural - 1 Incident: A student wears a shirt that says "Love Goddess."
Violence - 2 Incidents: It is said that another child was "eaten by cannibals." A poem is recited: "Broken bones and blood and gore." The phrase repeats several times.
Romance Related - 13 Incidents: "After school Mac walked home with his girlfriend." A boy kisses a girl on the lips. It's noted that the girls in class like a boy, and notes that one boy is more handsome than another. A girl realizes that she loves books when she had thought she hated them. She then is worried that she "loves John, too" - a boy she previously thought she hated. When wondering what tattoo to get, a child suggests "a naked lady." Discussing what tattoo to get, a child says, "I know where you should put it... but I can't say." It is then noted that the child "giggled like a maniac."
"Dameon was in love with one of the girls in his class." That "girl" turns out to be his teacher. It discusses him doing things for her like "passing out papers" and that he thought she was "pretty and nice." A child teases Dameon by asking where his "girlfriend" is. They continue to tease him that he is "in love" with "Mrs. Jewls." Dameon places a dead rat in the teacher's desk, and when questioned exclaims that he hates her. A few paragraphs later he tells her he loves her. "Then there was Jason, who always pestered her. That was because Jason hated her. Or else he loved her. Allison wasn't sure which." Children talk about cooties and warts and "other diseases" you get from touching girls or boys. A teacher teaches students the tango. A bird is noted as having a pink breast.
Attitudes/Disobedience - 16 Incidents: The entirety of Chapter 3 is about a little girl lying so she can be bad and not get in trouble for it. A child pulls another child's pigtails and notes that, "It felt great!" It is stated that a boy feels as though he lives in a cage, like a bird. He has to go to class, up and down the stairs as the bell rings. Later, on page 38, he declares, "No!" at the bell, refusing to return to class. A student sat on the floor, disobeying his teacher. There is anger and shouting. A girl is excited when a boy looses a watch and says, "Oh boy, are you going to get in trouble!" She gets disappointed when he says he doesn't think he'll get in trouble. A child is punished by having to write his name under the word DISCIPLINE on a school board for chewing another child's pencil and lying about it. A child hates another child. A child plays a prank on another by gifting a wrapped box of tissue. The receiver becomes angry, raises her fist and chases the prankster around the room. "She hated humans. But she knew that was silly, because she was a human." A girl begins to cry, and classmates tease: "Uh-oh, there goes the leaky faucet." It is stated that the children love to play tricks on substitute teachers. A child storms away in a huff. A child discusses that every teacher has a "mean teacher" inside of them. A child tells another to "get lost." A girl kicks a boy in "the rear end."
Conversation Topics - 1 Incident: Children discuss a tattoo after a child shows up at school with temporary tattoos. Some children say "you're so lucky" and discuss that their parents won't allow them to get a tattoo.
Parent Takeaway
This book is not supposed to be taken seriously or literally. Most of the stories have a twist that you wouldn't expect, such as the teacher purposefully being bad so she can send herself home. It's supposed to be very silly. For this reason, any "naughty" behavior is not really addressed or does not have a logical consequence.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities and Substitutions - 7 Incidents: stupid, dumb, shut up, darn, rats
Name Calling - 16 Incidents: weirdo, fat as a hippopotamus, head full of oatmeal, birdbrain, dumb jerk, stupid, buzzard face, devil, Mugworm Griblick, (Ketchup Head, Muskrat, Milly Mole, Dr. Seuss, Garbage Pail, Mr. Magoo all used in kids' teasing rhymes), weirdos
Religious & Supernatural - 1 Incident: A student wears a shirt that says "Love Goddess."
Violence - 2 Incidents: It is said that another child was "eaten by cannibals." A poem is recited: "Broken bones and blood and gore." The phrase repeats several times.
Romance Related - 13 Incidents: "After school Mac walked home with his girlfriend." A boy kisses a girl on the lips. It's noted that the girls in class like a boy, and notes that one boy is more handsome than another. A girl realizes that she loves books when she had thought she hated them. She then is worried that she "loves John, too" - a boy she previously thought she hated. When wondering what tattoo to get, a child suggests "a naked lady." Discussing what tattoo to get, a child says, "I know where you should put it... but I can't say." It is then noted that the child "giggled like a maniac."
"Dameon was in love with one of the girls in his class." That "girl" turns out to be his teacher. It discusses him doing things for her like "passing out papers" and that he thought she was "pretty and nice." A child teases Dameon by asking where his "girlfriend" is. They continue to tease him that he is "in love" with "Mrs. Jewls." Dameon places a dead rat in the teacher's desk, and when questioned exclaims that he hates her. A few paragraphs later he tells her he loves her. "Then there was Jason, who always pestered her. That was because Jason hated her. Or else he loved her. Allison wasn't sure which." Children talk about cooties and warts and "other diseases" you get from touching girls or boys. A teacher teaches students the tango. A bird is noted as having a pink breast.
Attitudes/Disobedience - 16 Incidents: The entirety of Chapter 3 is about a little girl lying so she can be bad and not get in trouble for it. A child pulls another child's pigtails and notes that, "It felt great!" It is stated that a boy feels as though he lives in a cage, like a bird. He has to go to class, up and down the stairs as the bell rings. Later, on page 38, he declares, "No!" at the bell, refusing to return to class. A student sat on the floor, disobeying his teacher. There is anger and shouting. A girl is excited when a boy looses a watch and says, "Oh boy, are you going to get in trouble!" She gets disappointed when he says he doesn't think he'll get in trouble. A child is punished by having to write his name under the word DISCIPLINE on a school board for chewing another child's pencil and lying about it. A child hates another child. A child plays a prank on another by gifting a wrapped box of tissue. The receiver becomes angry, raises her fist and chases the prankster around the room. "She hated humans. But she knew that was silly, because she was a human." A girl begins to cry, and classmates tease: "Uh-oh, there goes the leaky faucet." It is stated that the children love to play tricks on substitute teachers. A child storms away in a huff. A child discusses that every teacher has a "mean teacher" inside of them. A child tells another to "get lost." A girl kicks a boy in "the rear end."
Conversation Topics - 1 Incident: Children discuss a tattoo after a child shows up at school with temporary tattoos. Some children say "you're so lucky" and discuss that their parents won't allow them to get a tattoo.
Parent Takeaway
This book is not supposed to be taken seriously or literally. Most of the stories have a twist that you wouldn't expect, such as the teacher purposefully being bad so she can send herself home. It's supposed to be very silly. For this reason, any "naughty" behavior is not really addressed or does not have a logical consequence.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
January 23, 2016
I just finished reading this with my daughters the other day. We'll begin our review in a moment. But may I say, DANG! These books hold up. I loved them as a kid, but I'm pulling so much more out of them now as an adult - specifically, as a teacher and a parent.
My favorite stories were "Freedom" and the19 chapters. In "Freedom," Myron realizes what many of us have at various points: that school is essentially a prison. He comes to the realization that it doesn't have to be.
I love the idea of challenging the system, our ideas of how the system is built and how it should be. I hate the fact that so often, Myron is exactly right. I hate that many in positions of authority are afraid of being challenged, but lets face it - all systems of authority are frightfully precarious.
And the19 chapters? They are probably the chapters I remember more than anything else. I appreciate them more now that I've experienced a little more of what life has to offer.
There is no better example of Schrodinger's Cat played out in literature than in Miss Zarves from the 19th story of Wayside School.
Well, I've got the girls up here, and they're ready to review the book. Gwennie is singing Wayside School is falling down, but replacing Wayside School with Mrs. Zarves.
Poppy is over here flipping through the book.
Eleanor is laughing about Gwen's version of the song.
I probably don't have to ask this, but how many stars should the book get?
ALL: 5!!!! 5!!! 5!!!!!
Dad: I'm not sure where to start the review. How about this: Gwen, you ask Eleanor a question.
Gwen: HEY! Eleanooooorrrrr?
El: Yeeeessssss?
Gwen: Ummmm... What was your ummmm...
El: Favorite part?
Gwen: No. No.... No no no... Do you like this book? I mean, is this your favorite book?
El: Mmmmmm... It's one of my favorites.
Gwen: So you like it? It's one of your favorites?
El: Yep. ...Shouldn't we just move on to "favorite parts," dad?
Gwen: What was your favorite part?
Dad: Poppy, what was YOUR favorite part?
Poppy: My favorite part was the DANCE!!!! *Starts singing Vasloosh's tango.* ....With different lyrics about standing on the computer bench.*
El: Dad, do you know what my favorite part is?
Dad: No, what is it?
El: Mrs. Zarves, the dance, and Eric and Eric and Eric. I liked it when Eric Bacon lied.
Dad: Why did you like it?
El: It was interesting because we knew he didn't have tea in the garden at 12:15. He went to Charlie's Barbershop. He said he never got his hair cut... but he DID get his hair cut. He said his hair was a wig, but his hair wasn't a wig. He said he was bald, but he wasn't bald.
Dad: Gwen, what was your favorite part?
Gwen: SHE'S BACK!!!!
Dad: Why did you like that chapter?
El: -I can't believe you liked the scary parts, Gwen.
Gwen: I liked it because I like all the teachers - even Mrs. Zarves, and Mrs. Gorf!
Dad: Were you guys surprised that Calvin got a tattoo?
El and Gwen: Yeah.
Dad: Do you guys want tattoos?
Both: No.
Gwen: I don't want tattoos.
El: But Gwen! You ask to get one on your cheek ALL THE TIME.
Gwen: Yeah, but a pretend one. Not a real one.
Dad: Are you guys ready to start Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger?
ALL: YEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!
Gwen: I want to read There's A Boy in the Girl's Bathroom. (I had told them I saw it in the library and didn't realize that it was also by Louis Sachar... I'd always seen that book around as a kid.)
Dad: Alright. We should go get ready for bed. I'll start reading it tonight!
*The last time I read this was June 2005. I suppose I no longer get credit for that read. Come on goodreads! Add the "previously read" option so we can track our stats already! :)
My favorite stories were "Freedom" and the
I love the idea of challenging the system, our ideas of how the system is built and how it should be. I hate the fact that so often, Myron is exactly right. I hate that many in positions of authority are afraid of being challenged, but lets face it - all systems of authority are frightfully precarious.
And the
There is no better example of Schrodinger's Cat played out in literature than in Miss Zarves from the 19th story of Wayside School.
Well, I've got the girls up here, and they're ready to review the book. Gwennie is singing Wayside School is falling down, but replacing Wayside School with Mrs. Zarves.
Poppy is over here flipping through the book.
Eleanor is laughing about Gwen's version of the song.
I probably don't have to ask this, but how many stars should the book get?
ALL: 5!!!! 5!!! 5!!!!!
Dad: I'm not sure where to start the review. How about this: Gwen, you ask Eleanor a question.
Gwen: HEY! Eleanooooorrrrr?
El: Yeeeessssss?
Gwen: Ummmm... What was your ummmm...
El: Favorite part?
Gwen: No. No.... No no no... Do you like this book? I mean, is this your favorite book?
El: Mmmmmm... It's one of my favorites.
Gwen: So you like it? It's one of your favorites?
El: Yep. ...Shouldn't we just move on to "favorite parts," dad?
Gwen: What was your favorite part?
Dad: Poppy, what was YOUR favorite part?
Poppy: My favorite part was the DANCE!!!! *Starts singing Vasloosh's tango.* ....With different lyrics about standing on the computer bench.*
El: Dad, do you know what my favorite part is?
Dad: No, what is it?
El: Mrs. Zarves, the dance, and Eric and Eric and Eric. I liked it when Eric Bacon lied.
Dad: Why did you like it?
El: It was interesting because we knew he didn't have tea in the garden at 12:15. He went to Charlie's Barbershop. He said he never got his hair cut... but he DID get his hair cut. He said his hair was a wig, but his hair wasn't a wig. He said he was bald, but he wasn't bald.
Dad: Gwen, what was your favorite part?
Gwen: SHE'S BACK!!!!
Dad: Why did you like that chapter?
El: -I can't believe you liked the scary parts, Gwen.
Gwen: I liked it because I like all the teachers - even Mrs. Zarves, and Mrs. Gorf!
Dad: Were you guys surprised that Calvin got a tattoo?
El and Gwen: Yeah.
Dad: Do you guys want tattoos?
Both: No.
Gwen: I don't want tattoos.
El: But Gwen! You ask to get one on your cheek ALL THE TIME.
Gwen: Yeah, but a pretend one. Not a real one.
Dad: Are you guys ready to start Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger?
ALL: YEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!
Gwen: I want to read There's A Boy in the Girl's Bathroom. (I had told them I saw it in the library and didn't realize that it was also by Louis Sachar... I'd always seen that book around as a kid.)
Dad: Alright. We should go get ready for bed. I'll start reading it tonight!
*The last time I read this was June 2005. I suppose I no longer get credit for that read. Come on goodreads! Add the "previously read" option so we can track our stats already! :)
April 12, 2025
(Dave read this edition: 9780545510455.)
Not just silly. Look at the metaphors for existentialism, passion, compassion, etc. These stay universally popular for a reason... they're more resonant, and enjoyable for different reasons at different ages & stages. If I was a Literature Scholar I could say better why.
Anyway, the edition I'm rereading now has ugly illustrations so I did a little googling and found this resource: https://twunroll.com/article/12549256....
You must read it if you have any interest.
For example I agree with the poster that "NO ONE has mastered the Realistic Wayside Art Style better than joel schick, whose illustrations i may have more nostalgia for than brinckloe. the realism sets a nice contrast to the Strangeness of the text, and i can see WHY mccauley replacing them could be controversial" and that's why I chose this edition to write my review on (instead of the one I actually did read).
I actually almost agree with the poster on all the other rankings, too. And yes, the poster's rave: "and first place? YOU KNOW IT! TIM HEITZ STAYS WINNING! BEST ILLUSTRATOR OF WAYSIDE EVER!!! for real, though, this really just feels like the art style that "fits" most to wayside to me. plus the diversity of the characters in this round is just. it's nice. good style" gets my 'like' too.
But the bottom line really, imo, is that this is better as a read-aloud sans pictures. ;)
---
Reread. Art this time by Tim Heitz, and yes the pictures are great. The book is still great. Every child needs a Louis in their life. And to have the ability to appreciate a Mrs. Jewls, who, frankly, is not imo the best teacher ever.
"He doesn't like money. Don't worry about time. He never watched his television. Why is he always so happy?"
"It doesn't matter what you wear on the outside. It's what's underneath that counts." [Mrs Jewls said.] "If you want to be great and important, you have to wear expensive underpants."
Not just silly. Look at the metaphors for existentialism, passion, compassion, etc. These stay universally popular for a reason... they're more resonant, and enjoyable for different reasons at different ages & stages. If I was a Literature Scholar I could say better why.
Anyway, the edition I'm rereading now has ugly illustrations so I did a little googling and found this resource: https://twunroll.com/article/12549256....
You must read it if you have any interest.
For example I agree with the poster that "NO ONE has mastered the Realistic Wayside Art Style better than joel schick, whose illustrations i may have more nostalgia for than brinckloe. the realism sets a nice contrast to the Strangeness of the text, and i can see WHY mccauley replacing them could be controversial" and that's why I chose this edition to write my review on (instead of the one I actually did read).
I actually almost agree with the poster on all the other rankings, too. And yes, the poster's rave: "and first place? YOU KNOW IT! TIM HEITZ STAYS WINNING! BEST ILLUSTRATOR OF WAYSIDE EVER!!! for real, though, this really just feels like the art style that "fits" most to wayside to me. plus the diversity of the characters in this round is just. it's nice. good style" gets my 'like' too.
But the bottom line really, imo, is that this is better as a read-aloud sans pictures. ;)
---
Reread. Art this time by Tim Heitz, and yes the pictures are great. The book is still great. Every child needs a Louis in their life. And to have the ability to appreciate a Mrs. Jewls, who, frankly, is not imo the best teacher ever.
"He doesn't like money. Don't worry about time. He never watched his television. Why is he always so happy?"
"It doesn't matter what you wear on the outside. It's what's underneath that counts." [Mrs Jewls said.] "If you want to be great and important, you have to wear expensive underpants."
May 14, 2022
there are a few stories in here that creep me out as an adult re-reading this. For one thing there are not one but two very inapproprate interaction between a teacher and a student. In one story Sachar writes a story where cafateria food compells someone to kiss someone on the mouth without being able to control the impulse or realizing that it happened afterward...and then sets it up to happen between the teacher and a student. Then in another story a student claims to be in love with his teacher and the teachers response is to tell the child that she loves him too and explains that it's not wrong to say even though she's married because love is something that you have more of the more you give it away. I'm sorry but free love is not an appropriate idea for a kids book and definitely not in the context of a student teacher relationship.There is no attempt to differantiate the kind of love she's expressing for her husband and for the student. There's also a few odd stories involving kids and socks that are...iffy. In one part Louis who is supposed to represent the actual author who actually held a job supervising children tells one of the little girls he thinks she's very cute.
There's enough uncomfortable and wildly inappropriate content here and in his other books that I'm only noticing now to the point I would no longer recommend Sachars books at all anymore. And this is coming from someone who grew up with them and loved them. It gets 2 stars because I still enjoyed the absurdist wit despite it's rampant creepy undertones.
March 28, 2020
Getting pumped up for the release of the fourth Wayside School book! And Mr. Kidswatter is a Mugworm Griblick.
September 1, 2024
I LOVED these books as a kid, and they did not disappoint reading them to my 3rd grader. We laughed and laughed at some chapters, and puzzled over others. I especially loved the chapters that were just a touch dark. One thing this book does especially well at is harkening back to earlier chapters. This was a great way for me to tell my daughter was actually listening and retaining the information, because she could point out those jokes!
January 27, 2014
Often when we hear "realistic fiction" we think of heavy, thought-provoking texts. We read realistic fiction to kids to help them think through tough issues like death, divorce, bullying, prejudice, and the like. But kids need lighthearted books too, ones that they return to time and again for the sheer pleasure of reading. Wayside School is Falling Down is the second of Louis Sachar’s three Wayside School books, and the best of the three. Each of the thirty stories in this novel centers on a student in Mrs. Jewls’ class, which is located on the thirtieth floor of a strange and silly elementary school. Sachar satirizes every facet of the grade school experience, from math to music, recess, substitute teachers, and Mrs. Mush’s Mushroom Surprise in the cafeteria. Even reading this book as an adult I laughed out loud on almost every page, but as readers progress through the chapters they slowly realize that Sachar weaves clever plots and connections between the tales.
All three Wayside School books are around 4th grade reading level, and their short chapters make them very accessible independent reads for students who are just starting to read longer texts on their own. As a read-aloud, students in second or even first grade would enjoy these stories. Teachers could easily use Wayside School stories as a springboard for creative writing activities where students created new adventures for the characters, or introduced their own new students into a similar-type tale.
Wayside School is Falling Down does not help students confront life’s tough times, but it is a clever, brilliantly-written satire of the elementary school experience. Its situational comedy is clever, and a step above the slapstick and bathroom humor young children see on TV. It is just the kind of book that will make kids love reading.
All three Wayside School books are around 4th grade reading level, and their short chapters make them very accessible independent reads for students who are just starting to read longer texts on their own. As a read-aloud, students in second or even first grade would enjoy these stories. Teachers could easily use Wayside School stories as a springboard for creative writing activities where students created new adventures for the characters, or introduced their own new students into a similar-type tale.
Wayside School is Falling Down does not help students confront life’s tough times, but it is a clever, brilliantly-written satire of the elementary school experience. Its situational comedy is clever, and a step above the slapstick and bathroom humor young children see on TV. It is just the kind of book that will make kids love reading.
May 17, 2013
Extremely clever book. My son wanted to read it badly. Thank you, Mr. Sachar.
I noticed Glee used one of the same jokes. I watching the show (Season three, Episode two) and heard the joke, "What is the capitol of Ohio?" "O." Then later that same day I read the same joke in the book (which is at least twenty years older than the TV show, of course.) LOL
Anyway, definitely recommend this, but it is second in the series, so read the first one first.
I noticed Glee used one of the same jokes. I watching the show (Season three, Episode two) and heard the joke, "What is the capitol of Ohio?" "O." Then later that same day I read the same joke in the book (which is at least twenty years older than the TV show, of course.) LOL
Anyway, definitely recommend this, but it is second in the series, so read the first one first.
March 5, 2020
This was just as fun as the first book. I remember the 19th floor story really stuck with me when I was younger - Sachar challenges where you think the story is going to go, and that wasn't/isn't done as much in middle grade fiction. That's so refreshing to read, even today.
January 8, 2019
Iddia ediyorum daha once bu kadar absurd ve komik ve tatli bir kitap okumamissinizdir 😁😁
June 20, 2021
داستان خنده دار برای نوجوانان وکودکان
November 26, 2017
So, I remember LOVING this as a kid, and listening to it on audio on repeat. Rereading it, though, some chapters are just plain ODD.
November 5, 2020
This book was just as wacky as the first one.
April 28, 2021
This book is so genius I gasped
May 4, 2025
Giving myself credit for these as I have read both this and Sideways Stories from Wayside School at least twice through (probably more) for my daughter at this point.
March 24, 2009
Sachar, L. (1989). Wayside School Is Falling Down. New York: Avon Books.
0380731509
Continuing with the Wayside Series, what’s interesting with the second book is that, while the majority of chapters are still character sketches, there is more overlap and continuation of conflicts among the chapters. (The same is true for the third book as well).
Students that liked the first book will undoubtedly like the second and third books as well (however, usually disappointments about with the fourth book). Readers get to see more into the mysteriously missing nineteenth floor, the school basement, learn more about the characters and their families as well as have fun with language.
Rereading these books, I always want to re-check Sachar’s biography. With his writing, I feel like he has spent more time as a teacher.
Activities to do with the book:
The entire series is great for dramatization or having students write their own chapters or stories in response.
An unexpected lesson of these books is best for teachers. Within the first three books of the series, multiple teaching styles are presented. Teachers can take away views of teaching and discipline from the child’s perspective, which is always a wonderful view to keep in mind.
Favorite Quotes:
“You don’t hate stories, Dana,” Mrs. Jewls told her. “You love stories. I wish everybody laughed and cried as much as you” (p. 65).
“Miss Zarves assigns us a lot of busy work so we don’t have time to think. She makes us memorize stupid things so that we don’t think about the important things. And then she gives us good grades to keep us happy” (p. 102).
For more reviews, visit sjkessel.com.
0380731509
Continuing with the Wayside Series, what’s interesting with the second book is that, while the majority of chapters are still character sketches, there is more overlap and continuation of conflicts among the chapters. (The same is true for the third book as well).
Students that liked the first book will undoubtedly like the second and third books as well (however, usually disappointments about with the fourth book). Readers get to see more into the mysteriously missing nineteenth floor, the school basement, learn more about the characters and their families as well as have fun with language.
Rereading these books, I always want to re-check Sachar’s biography. With his writing, I feel like he has spent more time as a teacher.
Activities to do with the book:
The entire series is great for dramatization or having students write their own chapters or stories in response.
An unexpected lesson of these books is best for teachers. Within the first three books of the series, multiple teaching styles are presented. Teachers can take away views of teaching and discipline from the child’s perspective, which is always a wonderful view to keep in mind.
Favorite Quotes:
“You don’t hate stories, Dana,” Mrs. Jewls told her. “You love stories. I wish everybody laughed and cried as much as you” (p. 65).
“Miss Zarves assigns us a lot of busy work so we don’t have time to think. She makes us memorize stupid things so that we don’t think about the important things. And then she gives us good grades to keep us happy” (p. 102).
For more reviews, visit sjkessel.com.
December 9, 2021
Wow! I had so much fun at school. Haha…A rare declaration for me. :)
Wayside is packed with wackiness! We get…Pencils and pigtail pulls. Tattoos and Tootsie Roll Pops. Mayhem and Mushroom Surprises. So many surprises actually. And socks! Don’t forget the socks. Haha... Whether you believe in them or not.
There are 25 to 30 kids in these stories along with teachers, substitutes, and Principals. It’s a lot! But astonishingly, most of them develop distinct personalities. I’m going to miss quite a few of them. I might have to read on! I have to know the mystery of Ray Gunn or if poor Todd ever stops getting into trouble.
You know what really amazed me here though? That somehow, Mr. Sachar oh-so subtly squeezed a lesson or two in the mix along with the craziness.
“She didn’t want to forget where she came from. If I forget where I came from, I might never get back.”
This was my first visit to Wayside, but it’s not my last. I’m climbing back in or up to the 30th floor soon. Very soon!
October 23, 2017
Totally worth a reread. I don't generally laugh out loud when I read books, but this one had me laughing on several occasions. It is so clever and funny and made me feel like a kid again. I also kind of teared up at the end when all the kids reassured Benjamin Nushmutt that they were all just as weird as him and he had nothing to worry about.
I read my falling apart copy of this book that my godmother gave me for my ninth birthday. When I flipped to the inside of the back cover I found a piece of paper taped there with APR 2 1991 stamped on it. It took me back to the days of playing library with my sisters when we were kids. We'd arrange a bunch of books in the living room for checkout and stamp makeshift cards in the backs of the books with due dates. This book must have entered circulation pretty quickly as the due date was only a few weeks after I received the book as a present.
I read my falling apart copy of this book that my godmother gave me for my ninth birthday. When I flipped to the inside of the back cover I found a piece of paper taped there with APR 2 1991 stamped on it. It took me back to the days of playing library with my sisters when we were kids. We'd arrange a bunch of books in the living room for checkout and stamp makeshift cards in the backs of the books with due dates. This book must have entered circulation pretty quickly as the due date was only a few weeks after I received the book as a present.
August 8, 2019
These books are a work of art. Seriously so funny and clever. Still just as good, if not better, as an adult than when I read them as a kid. The snorts and giggles I get out of my kids while reading these outloud to my kids are the best.
April 14, 2024
➳ 3 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
it has been so long since i’ve read these books but i remember loving them when i was a kid and i would recommend if you like funny, farcical short stories similar to lemony snicket, roald dahl, and other comedic children’s authors ☁️🩰
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
it has been so long since i’ve read these books but i remember loving them when i was a kid and i would recommend if you like funny, farcical short stories similar to lemony snicket, roald dahl, and other comedic children’s authors ☁️🩰
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
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