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The Incredible Worlds of Wally McDoogle #1
My Life as a Smashed Burrito With Extra Hot Sauce
Twelve-year-old Wally - "the walking disaster area" - is forced to stand up to Camp Wahkah Wahkah's number one, all-American bad guy. One hilarious mishap follows another until, fighting together for their very lives, Wally learns the need to love even his worst enemy.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
32 people are currently reading
241 people want to read
About the author
Bill Myers
329 books391 followersBill Myers was born into a Christian home, and although as a child he became bored with Christianity, he decided at the University of Washington quote, to "make God my boss." Ironically, at the University his worst subject was writing. He claims to have prayed, and said that he would be able to do anything for God, except write. Even so, he has become a prominent Christian writer, and has a large amount of successful books and films to his credit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 31, 2024
Synopsis
Wally McDoogle is a nerdy, awkward kid who, much to his chagrin, is sent to church camp by his well-meaning father. Though his friends Opera and Wall Street are on his side, he ends up getting on the bad side of the biggest, strongest kid in the camp. When their rivalry gets out of hand, the head counselor doles out a punishment that teaches everyone a lesson.
My Review
Many years ago, this series was pretty much my introduction to Christian fiction. I liked them back then, though I didn't understand them all that well; now, I both understand and appreciate them quite well. Though I'm not a kid anymore, I still consider myself a kid at heart, and that's why I enjoyed this. If you're an adult who still watches Nickelodeon or the Disney Channel, you'll likely find enjoyment in this series.
EDIT: The ebook version I just finished had illustrations; I’d never come across an illustrated edition of any of the books in this series. While they were well drawn, they were cartoony enough that the story still required you to use your imagination.
Wally McDoogle is a nerdy, awkward kid who, much to his chagrin, is sent to church camp by his well-meaning father. Though his friends Opera and Wall Street are on his side, he ends up getting on the bad side of the biggest, strongest kid in the camp. When their rivalry gets out of hand, the head counselor doles out a punishment that teaches everyone a lesson.
My Review
Many years ago, this series was pretty much my introduction to Christian fiction. I liked them back then, though I didn't understand them all that well; now, I both understand and appreciate them quite well. Though I'm not a kid anymore, I still consider myself a kid at heart, and that's why I enjoyed this. If you're an adult who still watches Nickelodeon or the Disney Channel, you'll likely find enjoyment in this series.
EDIT: The ebook version I just finished had illustrations; I’d never come across an illustrated edition of any of the books in this series. While they were well drawn, they were cartoony enough that the story still required you to use your imagination.
September 15, 2010
This is one of my favorite books of all time. SO GOOD. Gotta love that Bill Myers. One time I emailed him through his webiste and he emailed me back! Lots of points in my book :-)
January 12, 2009
Review by Jill Williamson
Twelve-year-old Wally McDoogle dreams about a lot of things. Being a writer, being a superhero, writing about a superhero. He has never dreamed of going to camp, but his father signs him up, insisting it will make him a real man. Incidentally, being a real man is another thing Wally’s never dreamed about…
Yet Wally gets dropped off at the bus, but before he even makes it to Camp Wahkah Wahkah (or Camp Whacko as Wally calls it) he finds himself pressed against the roof of the bus by Gary the Gorilla with peanut butter and jelly dripping from his nose. Yes, it’s true. Wally is a dork-oid, which really isn’t so bad as long as you aren’t the target of Gary the Gorilla and his Goons. Unfortunately, Wally is.
What a funny story. Wally has a great sense of humor and I found myself laughing out loud. Here and there we are also entertained with the book Wally is writing about Mutant Man McDoogle, a superhero who is in a battle with a suspiciously familiar villain named Dr. Ghastly the Gorilla. I highly recommend this one for younger teens looking for adventure and a big smile.
Twelve-year-old Wally McDoogle dreams about a lot of things. Being a writer, being a superhero, writing about a superhero. He has never dreamed of going to camp, but his father signs him up, insisting it will make him a real man. Incidentally, being a real man is another thing Wally’s never dreamed about…
Yet Wally gets dropped off at the bus, but before he even makes it to Camp Wahkah Wahkah (or Camp Whacko as Wally calls it) he finds himself pressed against the roof of the bus by Gary the Gorilla with peanut butter and jelly dripping from his nose. Yes, it’s true. Wally is a dork-oid, which really isn’t so bad as long as you aren’t the target of Gary the Gorilla and his Goons. Unfortunately, Wally is.
What a funny story. Wally has a great sense of humor and I found myself laughing out loud. Here and there we are also entertained with the book Wally is writing about Mutant Man McDoogle, a superhero who is in a battle with a suspiciously familiar villain named Dr. Ghastly the Gorilla. I highly recommend this one for younger teens looking for adventure and a big smile.
October 13, 2011
I really enjoyed this book especially because it was the first one I had read in the series and and it was the first one in the series. It's a very funny and amusing story about a geek named Wally McDoogle, Wally goes through many problems with a bully at summer camp but learns to love your ememies in the end. Overall i really liked this book and encourage others to read it as well, it is a great first book of the series and has a great moral!
December 31, 2019
This series is one of my favorites. This master-of mayhem seems to be the clumsiest person in the world. In addition to being funny, he also writes his own comic strips with characters who surprisingly learn the same life lessons as him.
August 2, 2008
These books are tons of fun!
September 18, 2008
This is a great christan book for kids my age and younger!But is you are around 11 or 10 you will get the jokes better in this funny book than if you were younger!
February 20, 2009
This is a funny book and liked it
August 31, 2019
Almost exactly as weird and corny as I remember. It had an altar call! Amazing.
February 14, 2023
The first book in the Wally McDoogle series is fun, adventurous, and a great start to a kids series!
Wally McDoogle is twelve years old and forced to go to church camp where he is up against a bully the likes he has never seen. Every step he takes puts him right in the crosshairs of this bully and everyone else at the camp puts Wally on a pedestal thinking he is the one to take down the bully for them all. Wally ends up learning a very valuable lesson that it is more important to love your enemies than hate one other.
This is the start of a fantastic series for young readers, it is fast, fun and purely entertaining that will keep reluctant readers engaged and ready to turn the pages. I love fun books for kids with a great message; this is one that parents can feel perfectly capable letting their kids read and not worry that there is any questionable material within the pages. So many books out now that are even marketed to kids have material that is questionable in it. I know that some of the material may not bother some people but for parents that want a good book for their kids to read without worrying about language or anything else, this is a great one for them to pick up and feel good about.
Wally McDoogle is twelve years old and forced to go to church camp where he is up against a bully the likes he has never seen. Every step he takes puts him right in the crosshairs of this bully and everyone else at the camp puts Wally on a pedestal thinking he is the one to take down the bully for them all. Wally ends up learning a very valuable lesson that it is more important to love your enemies than hate one other.
This is the start of a fantastic series for young readers, it is fast, fun and purely entertaining that will keep reluctant readers engaged and ready to turn the pages. I love fun books for kids with a great message; this is one that parents can feel perfectly capable letting their kids read and not worry that there is any questionable material within the pages. So many books out now that are even marketed to kids have material that is questionable in it. I know that some of the material may not bother some people but for parents that want a good book for their kids to read without worrying about language or anything else, this is a great one for them to pick up and feel good about.
October 3, 2019
A fantastic, laugh-out-loud tale, excellently written for young, perhaps even reluctant readers. A lot of kids could probably relate to Wally McDoogle. Bullied, picked on, a little bit geeky, can never think of cool things to say when it matters.
And what a great lesson Myers has to teach his young readers. Wisdom is a huge subject. But specifically the wisdom of loving our enemies is so relevant to primary-school, middle grade and high school kids everywhere. This story teaches that message in the midst of hilarity and suspense. Wally McDoogle is instantly lovable and his enemy is instantly hate-able, but of course Myers has a plan to chastise us of that particular attitude.
This novel was so easy-to-read and so entertaining I got through it in an afternoon, despite the dated 'nineties' elements which now give it a certain charm. I very much enjoyed it and I'm confident my students will when we do a novel study on it. I intend to read the rest of the series soon!
And what a great lesson Myers has to teach his young readers. Wisdom is a huge subject. But specifically the wisdom of loving our enemies is so relevant to primary-school, middle grade and high school kids everywhere. This story teaches that message in the midst of hilarity and suspense. Wally McDoogle is instantly lovable and his enemy is instantly hate-able, but of course Myers has a plan to chastise us of that particular attitude.
This novel was so easy-to-read and so entertaining I got through it in an afternoon, despite the dated 'nineties' elements which now give it a certain charm. I very much enjoyed it and I'm confident my students will when we do a novel study on it. I intend to read the rest of the series soon!
October 4, 2016
I appreciate that Myers writes a wholesome book with a Christian message, but, in Smashed Burrito, Myers does not show appreciation for a child’s intellect. A young person’s soul is fed by good literature just like an adult’s. The writing, here, is uninspired and cliché. The plot is ridiculous. The characters are cardboard. At worst, Myers reinforces silly stereotypes. On the bright side, Smashed Burrito contains zero age inappropriate content. There is so much harmful stuff out there, a kid could definitely do worse, but this isn’t the best.
January 25, 2010
A quick book that is filled with humor and memorable characters! Gary the Gorilla is the bully at camp, and Wally manages to cross paths with him. Wally, who wants to be a writer, keeps the reader laughing in between his novel-writing and his real-life adventures at church camp. A good series that is fun and focuses on moral Christian issues.
Read
October 7, 2008it was funny
April 3, 2009
I really like this book and the whole series. I would recommend the
book to people who like comedy. The series teaches good life lessons.
book to people who like comedy. The series teaches good life lessons.
September 6, 2009
To make friends even whith your enemies.
February 11, 2010
Funniest book series I have ever read!
May 1, 2011
Hahahahhahahahahhahahahahs
May 30, 2012
I wasn't the one who read this = NOah loves these books though! Bill Myers is his favorite author! I recommend him for kids book too. I like the books just as well.
March 31, 2019
Better for 5th/6th grade. Promotes Christian values. A few gender stereotypes?
November 13, 2007
i dont know if i will read this so if any onne has read this book please tell me
August 1, 2020
Twelve-year-old Wally "the walking disaster area" is forced to stand up to Camp Wahkah Wahkah's number one, all-American bad guy. One hilarious mishap follows another until, fighting together for their very lives, Wally learns the need to love even his worst enemy.
What a great read for kids of all ages. Fun and interesting with a life-long lesson. I highly recommend this book. Looking forward to the next one in the series.
What a great read for kids of all ages. Fun and interesting with a life-long lesson. I highly recommend this book. Looking forward to the next one in the series.
July 23, 2022
BILL MYERS IS THE AUTHOR AND CO-CREATOR OF THE BEST-SELLING "MCGEE AND ME!" BOOK AND VIDEO SERIES. THAT SERIES WAS SOME OF THE BEST I HAD EVER SEEN AND USED WHEN I WAS IN CHILDREN'S MINISTRY. HE IS SUCH A TALENTED WRITER AND THIS BOOK FALLS IN LINE WITH THAT REPUTATION. WE HAVE THIS BOOK AS A SIGNED COPY FROM THE AUTHOR TO OUR YOUNGEST SON AND HOPEFULLY HE WILL KEEP IT AS A KEEPSAKE AND LOOK FOR POSITIVE CHRISTIAN MATERIAL FOR HIS FAMILY THAT IS ON PAR WITH WHAT BILL MYERS PRODUCED.
August 6, 2018
This book had a strong message about how to treat others no matter how badly they treat you. It's a story about wisdom. A great book for kids to read!
August 6, 2019
So excited about the new illustrations in the classic Wally stories!
January 16, 2021
That was good for stupid laughs
April 12, 2021
Read this to my kids and loved it. We laughed and groaned with Wally. Really great way to wiggle into kid's hearts and share meaningful stuff. I'd like to see more.
January 4, 2022
Great new series for kids we can wait to read.
April 14, 2023
Loved this as a kid
December 23, 2023
While I found the book entertaining, I felt parts of it referred to TV shows and characters that would make some of the humor lost on this generation of kids.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews