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Wayside School #2.5
Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School
"Everyone take out your spelling books," said Mrs. Jewls. "It's time for arithmetic."
Sue is so excited for her first day at Wayside School. But things at Wayside are far from normal-and Sue's teacher, Mrs. Jewls, is completely wacky. She expects the students to add and subtract words! Sue has never heard of anything so ridiculous. She knows adding apples plus oranges is impossible...or is it? Anything can happen at Wayside School.
Sue is so excited for her first day at Wayside School. But things at Wayside are far from normal-and Sue's teacher, Mrs. Jewls, is completely wacky. She expects the students to add and subtract words! Sue has never heard of anything so ridiculous. She knows adding apples plus oranges is impossible...or is it? Anything can happen at Wayside School.
89 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
35 people are currently reading
2518 people want to read
About the author
Louis Sachar
86 books4,632 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 121 reviews
June 28, 2008
Want to help a young kid get on the right track with higher-level math? After they've fallen for the original Sideways Stories from Wayside School, they should give this book a shot. In short, the "reader" finds himself in Wayside School's bizarre math class, where equations all go like this:
elf
+ elf
fool
Words + words = words... the thing is, your job is to figure out what the numbers are. For starters, the "f" in the answer has to equal 1, because two single-digit numbers can't add up to more than 20. That makes "l" equal 2, "o" equal four, and "e" equal 7.
721
+ 721
1442
The storytelling mixed in with the lessons keeps things both goofy and easy to follow. By the end of the book, children will have learned the basic tenets of algebra without even realizing it.
elf
+ elf
fool
Words + words = words... the thing is, your job is to figure out what the numbers are. For starters, the "f" in the answer has to equal 1, because two single-digit numbers can't add up to more than 20. That makes "l" equal 2, "o" equal four, and "e" equal 7.
721
+ 721
1442
The storytelling mixed in with the lessons keeps things both goofy and easy to follow. By the end of the book, children will have learned the basic tenets of algebra without even realizing it.
March 15, 2009
What? I had no idea that this book had actual PUZZLES in it! As a kid I thought it was some sort of dada-ist experiment with absurdity and language. I wasn't that amused either. But, as a superfan of the Wayside School series, I still gave it three stars.
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June 23, 2011Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School goes with Louis Sachar’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School, using a similar story type and the same characters. This book can be used as an upward extension for students who have a good understanding of algebra. The later chapters are more appropriate for middle school math, but students in grades 4-5 can try to solve the arithmetic in the early chapters. Because the arithmetic uses “sideways” logic, students who rely on the algorithms to solve math will struggle. This instead requires that students problem-solve using different techniques, helping them to recognize patterns in math and develop their algebraic thinking.
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October 12, 2016(Guided reading)
February 19, 2021
Omg I REMEMBER this book! I loved it so much as a kid and now I'm a mathematician. Honestly this book probably had a huge impact on the course of my life!
August 14, 2018
i remember LOVING this as a kid. Clearly i was a dork, but I don't care. I just bought this for my 7 year olds birthday. He loves math and will be challenged, but get a kick out of it.
February 16, 2022
(James is busy adding words right now.)
April 24, 2021
RATING: 3 STARS
I remember buying this either at the Scholastic book fair, or in the school catalogue. I was super excited as I loved Sideways Stories from Wayside School. I still own both books, with the former in tatters (and with my name in huge letters like I am on broadway). I didn't care for this one as much as I wanted to. First off, it has math, and I hated math (okay fine, I still hate math). It wasn't really much of a story. This was the first time I learned that just because you love an author doesn't mean you will love all their books. It was also a point for my mom, when she said it was better to use the library for new books.
I remember buying this either at the Scholastic book fair, or in the school catalogue. I was super excited as I loved Sideways Stories from Wayside School. I still own both books, with the former in tatters (and with my name in huge letters like I am on broadway). I didn't care for this one as much as I wanted to. First off, it has math, and I hated math (okay fine, I still hate math). It wasn't really much of a story. This was the first time I learned that just because you love an author doesn't mean you will love all their books. It was also a point for my mom, when she said it was better to use the library for new books.
May 18, 2022
2.5 stars
Here's the thing: I loved the Wayside School books as a kid. I checked this book out a couple times when I was in 3rd/4th grade, but could never understand any of the problems, and ended up thinking that I was just dumb.
I just re-read this book, and worked through the problems, and even my much older self had to look at a few hints and answers, and got a couple of them wrong!
There is a small amount of fun story-telling here and there, but it is mostly just math (there are a few logic problems, as well). This is great for kids who naturally excel in math, but for kids who are better at language (and especially young kids), the book will just be frustrating and discouraging.
These are some of the problems included in the book:
moth + took = hmmm (reader figures out which numbers, 0-9, the letters in the problem each stand for)
Here's the thing: I loved the Wayside School books as a kid. I checked this book out a couple times when I was in 3rd/4th grade, but could never understand any of the problems, and ended up thinking that I was just dumb.
I just re-read this book, and worked through the problems, and even my much older self had to look at a few hints and answers, and got a couple of them wrong!
There is a small amount of fun story-telling here and there, but it is mostly just math (there are a few logic problems, as well). This is great for kids who naturally excel in math, but for kids who are better at language (and especially young kids), the book will just be frustrating and discouraging.
These are some of the problems included in the book:
moth + took = hmmm (reader figures out which numbers, 0-9, the letters in the problem each stand for)
1. The answer to this statement is different from the answer to statement number 5 - T/F
2. Statement number 10 is false - T/F
3. This statement is true - T/F
4. Statement number 7 is true - T/F
5. At least two of the above statements are false - T/F
6. The answer to this statement is different from the answer to statement number 9 - T/F
7. Statement number 6 is false - T/F
8. Statement number 2 is true - T/F
9. The answers to statements 3 and 4 are different - T/F
10. The answer to statement number 3 is true - T/F
August 16, 2014
I'm not sure this should be classified as arithmetic. Most of the problems were just pure substitution and guess and check. Very difficult for students who struggle and too mind numbing for any enrichment.
July 16, 2020
I feel like you either get this or you don't and i didn't. Haha. I obviously didn't pay attention to the synopsis of this book, because it's alllll brain twisters. Some super obvious. Others pretty impossible feeling, but definitely something I'm sure many could find enjoyment in.
May 13, 2008
Oh my god! I loved this book! I used to spend hours doing the puzzles. I swear one of Mr. Buhler's extra credits came staight out of this book.
November 7, 2019
A bunch of tricky word problems. I loved these as a kid. A sneaky way to teach kids critical thinking skills.
July 11, 2023
A book of mostly logic problems, by... Sachar Louis? Huh. Well, I'm too busy(/lazy) to apply for librarianship to work on fixing that...
I say logic problems because, despite the title, there's not THAT much arithmetic. The most is when decoding math problems that have been encrypted into words (the "elf + elf" on the cover), you will need to do some basic math to ensure the decrypted math problems are correct.
Also, certain puzzles involve minor counting. Most or all of them are strictly logic, depending on how you solve them.
It's a good assortment of puzzles, and there's also a running story that goes along with them, so it's not just a long maths worksheet. Readers can enjoy placing themselves in the shoes of Sue, who acts a bit like a reader avatar (based on Sachar's introductory note about kids writing to him asking to attend Wayside School). Sue only appears in this book, and slightly in the sequel More Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School, however.
Recommended for beginner fans of logic problems! Readers who aren't may be frustrated by this even after checking the answers (though you absolutely can still read the story parts!).
I say logic problems because, despite the title, there's not THAT much arithmetic. The most is when decoding math problems that have been encrypted into words (the "elf + elf" on the cover), you will need to do some basic math to ensure the decrypted math problems are correct.
Also, certain puzzles involve minor counting. Most or all of them are strictly logic, depending on how you solve them.
It's a good assortment of puzzles, and there's also a running story that goes along with them, so it's not just a long maths worksheet. Readers can enjoy placing themselves in the shoes of Sue, who acts a bit like a reader avatar (based on Sachar's introductory note about kids writing to him asking to attend Wayside School). Sue only appears in this book, and slightly in the sequel More Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School, however.
Recommended for beginner fans of logic problems! Readers who aren't may be frustrated by this even after checking the answers (though you absolutely can still read the story parts!).
August 29, 2021
Sideways Arithmetic Wayside School
This was... REALLY BAD! I guess if you want to call this a plot, there’s a new girl at Wayside named Sue and she probably thinks (well no *think* in it) that Mrs. Jewels is high. Just like I thought Louis Sachar was high when he decided to publish this book. First of all, math never was my favorite subject. But this isn’t math. An example of this kind of *arithmetic* goes like this:
Egg
+ egg
= page
Sue is confused as hell and keeps trying to explain to Mrs. Jewels you can’t add words. All the students find this strange and are like well what do you add. It’s explained how to do the problems but this is a light, silly, series of books. It’s not meant to WORK. We aren’t supposing to be the students. I guess somewhere in his head this *felt* like a good idea, but it really wasn’t. Not only does it want us to be the student, it also wants to be Mrs. Jewel who is the WORST teacher and misplaces her tests all the time and wants us to figure out who made what on what test. SORRY! NOT GONE BE ABLE TO DO IT. If Mrs. Jewels doesn’t care about her poor organizational skills, then 1) maybe she needs a new career. Cause teaching isn’t it. 2) If she doesn’t care about keeping her grades in order why should I? 3) Why again is Mrs. Jewels still employed. I’m not even gonna rate this. SKIP IT! I just reviewed it because I have a thing about completing series.
This was... REALLY BAD! I guess if you want to call this a plot, there’s a new girl at Wayside named Sue and she probably thinks (well no *think* in it) that Mrs. Jewels is high. Just like I thought Louis Sachar was high when he decided to publish this book. First of all, math never was my favorite subject. But this isn’t math. An example of this kind of *arithmetic* goes like this:
Egg
+ egg
= page
Sue is confused as hell and keeps trying to explain to Mrs. Jewels you can’t add words. All the students find this strange and are like well what do you add. It’s explained how to do the problems but this is a light, silly, series of books. It’s not meant to WORK. We aren’t supposing to be the students. I guess somewhere in his head this *felt* like a good idea, but it really wasn’t. Not only does it want us to be the student, it also wants to be Mrs. Jewel who is the WORST teacher and misplaces her tests all the time and wants us to figure out who made what on what test. SORRY! NOT GONE BE ABLE TO DO IT. If Mrs. Jewels doesn’t care about her poor organizational skills, then 1) maybe she needs a new career. Cause teaching isn’t it. 2) If she doesn’t care about keeping her grades in order why should I? 3) Why again is Mrs. Jewels still employed. I’m not even gonna rate this. SKIP IT! I just reviewed it because I have a thing about completing series.
January 17, 2018
Tricky book to review. This ‘story’ is filled with a whole bunch of logic puzzles to try and solve. They definitely require persistence! I was able to successfully solve all 55 of the problems, although certain ones took me a long time!
I did read some of these out to my Grade 7 math class. Some students surprised me with their ability to deduce the answers.
I did read some of these out to my Grade 7 math class. Some students surprised me with their ability to deduce the answers.
July 17, 2019
In a way, I can't help but wonder, "What the heck did I just read?'
I read this in one sitting, obvs. I figured out the answers to close to most, while others made me feel like a half gallon of milk had tipped over in my brain.
...I'm halfway between being a bit scared for these students...and being thankful that this is fiction...
I really have no idea what to say.
I read this in one sitting, obvs. I figured out the answers to close to most, while others made me feel like a half gallon of milk had tipped over in my brain.
...I'm halfway between being a bit scared for these students...and being thankful that this is fiction...
I really have no idea what to say.
February 25, 2020
”Everyone take out your spelling books. It’s time for arithmetic.”
This book utterly confused me as a kid, and now as an adult I find myself.... just as confused. The logic problems I can do, but adding words together just doesn’t come easy to me I guess. Ha.
Still, this definitely provided some giggles, even if it did make me feel a little dumb.
This book utterly confused me as a kid, and now as an adult I find myself.... just as confused. The logic problems I can do, but adding words together just doesn’t come easy to me I guess. Ha.
Still, this definitely provided some giggles, even if it did make me feel a little dumb.
March 6, 2020
I really don't remember if I read this when I was younger - I assumed I did, but I nothing stuck out to me. This has a lot of logic problems that are great brain teasers, but since I'm obviously not the target audience they became repetitive pretty quickly. This would be good for kids, as long as they don't mind questions that resemble homework.
October 24, 2023
Lol well.....the arithmetic is def Sideways 😂
Makes no sense, and probably harder for kids (though I could be wrong. Never underestimate children lol), but I did really like chapters 6 & 7!
Chapter 6 & 7 had word problems that made sense to me and I had fun figuring it out. Then Sachar got a bit crazy with the True and False questions lol
Makes no sense, and probably harder for kids (though I could be wrong. Never underestimate children lol), but I did really like chapters 6 & 7!
Chapter 6 & 7 had word problems that made sense to me and I had fun figuring it out. Then Sachar got a bit crazy with the True and False questions lol
November 23, 2023
I shows my math teacher some of the problems in this book and he said it was just algebra, probably as a joke. Considering it was about replacing letters with numbers, it kind of was. Although I had a terrible time solving these math puzzles when I read this book, it was nevertheless my first introduction to algebra and how difficult letters standing in for numbers can be.
August 21, 2025
For any kids (or adults!) who love logic puzzles, this is definitely the book for you! Every chapter has a different kind of puzzle with some wacky narration about the kids and teachers at Wayside School. My son and I chose it for a bedtime book... we were way to tired to try to figure out all the puzzles. So, I'm saving this one for a road trip book to keep us busy!
December 19, 2018
This book is part of the Wayside School series, but is different from the rest of the titles in that it primarily consists of math and logic puzzles. Super fun for kids who like brain teasers! Who knew word problems could be funny?
December 28, 2018
Why does elf + elf = fool? How many meals will Miss Mush, the lunch teacher, have to cook for the food to taste as bad as it smells? This book is packed full of brain teasers and maths puzzles and all the wacky pupils from Wayside School to help you find the logical solutions to all the problems.
June 6, 2017
I love puzzles and it was such a treat to get to do the "math" from the books.
January 26, 2018
A favorite from my childhood that I've passed on to my kids.
May 30, 2018
This book made my head hurt. 😣😩🤕
January 22, 2019
I'd love to try a few of these with a class/ group of resilient children (depending).
July 6, 2019
CW: your head might explode
March 17, 2020
Best story problems ever!
My sons loved this so I bought a new copy for my grandkids.
My sons loved this so I bought a new copy for my grandkids.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews