Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Scholastic Inc.
Pages
124
Description
Humorous episodes from the classroom on the thirtieth floor of Wayside School, which was accidentally built sideways with one classroom on each story.
Description
Wayside School was supposed to be built with 30 classrooms all next to each other in a row. Instead, it is an architectural accident that was built sideways. The classrooms were stacked one on top of the other, 30 stories tall! Here are some hilarious and fun stories about the school, the teachers, and the students.
You'll meet Mrs. Gorf, the meanest teacher of all, terrible Todd, who always gets sent home early, and John who can read only upside down, along with all the other kids in the crazy mixed-up school that came out sideways. But you'll never guess the truth about Sammy, the new kid, or what's in store for Wayside School on Halloween!
You'll meet Mrs. Gorf, the meanest teacher of all, terrible Todd, who always gets sent home early, and John who can read only upside down, along with all the other kids in the crazy mixed-up school that came out sideways. But you'll never guess the truth about Sammy, the new kid, or what's in store for Wayside School on Halloween!
Series
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1978
Physical description
124 p.; 6.75 inches
ISBN
9780545324847
Similar in this library
Lexile
460L
User reviews
LibraryThing member theokester
My kids and I just finished reading this book aloud one story a night. The humorous stories and ridiculous situations entertained all three kids (aged 4 through 8) and I found myself laughing aloud with them ad the adventures of the kids on the 30th story.
Characters
Each story focuses primarily on a
Where the characters really shine is in their simple, child-like logic not tainted by the "reality" of adult experience and education. Each of the characters find themselves in unique situations and react with matter-of-fact that are very true depictions of the mindset of a child.
The simplicity and innocence of the characters' thinking serves as a great commentary not only on the humorous and sometimes foolish predicaments that they find themselves in, but also on the fact that sometimes those innocent and simple ideals are just as effective (or even more effective) than the "logical" views of the adult world.
Plot/Pacing/Setting/Etc
Each story had its own plot that was generally wrapped up within the story itself. Sometimes elements of one story will show up later in another story.
The pacing is quick and engaging. Never did my kids get bored during the reading. If anything, the pacing may have been too quick at times since the kids were often bummed that a story was over too quickly.
The setting of Wayside school was a quirky and unique exploration of a school. I loved the idea that the construction crew made a mistake and built the rooms one on top of another instead of side by side as in a "normal" school.
I especially loved the last chapter where Louis tells the kids about other schools...and how strange they (we) are.
Overall
This is a great collection of stories...essentially a collection of children's fables (although unlike a "true" fable, the morals are often left unsaid or less pronounced). The humor and wit is entertaining both for kids and adults and makes for an entertaining read.
By breaking the book out into a series of many very short stories, this book becomes something that can be picked up for a quick 5-10 minutes of reading or can be lounged over for an hour or so. The language is simple enough that an early reader (1st-2nd grade) should be able to read it on his/her own. It's definitely a lot of fun to read aloud with kids and I'm glad I went that route with my kids.
I look forward to finding more stories from Wayside school.
****
4 stars
Characters
Each story focuses primarily on a
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different character so trying to lump all of the characters together into a single review category is difficult. The two character persistent throughout the book, Mrs. Jewls and Louis, are interesting in that they are the only adults (once Mrs. Gorf is gone) and yet their behaviors are just as outrageous as those of the children.Where the characters really shine is in their simple, child-like logic not tainted by the "reality" of adult experience and education. Each of the characters find themselves in unique situations and react with matter-of-fact that are very true depictions of the mindset of a child.
The simplicity and innocence of the characters' thinking serves as a great commentary not only on the humorous and sometimes foolish predicaments that they find themselves in, but also on the fact that sometimes those innocent and simple ideals are just as effective (or even more effective) than the "logical" views of the adult world.
Plot/Pacing/Setting/Etc
Each story had its own plot that was generally wrapped up within the story itself. Sometimes elements of one story will show up later in another story.
The pacing is quick and engaging. Never did my kids get bored during the reading. If anything, the pacing may have been too quick at times since the kids were often bummed that a story was over too quickly.
The setting of Wayside school was a quirky and unique exploration of a school. I loved the idea that the construction crew made a mistake and built the rooms one on top of another instead of side by side as in a "normal" school.
I especially loved the last chapter where Louis tells the kids about other schools...and how strange they (we) are.
Overall
This is a great collection of stories...essentially a collection of children's fables (although unlike a "true" fable, the morals are often left unsaid or less pronounced). The humor and wit is entertaining both for kids and adults and makes for an entertaining read.
By breaking the book out into a series of many very short stories, this book becomes something that can be picked up for a quick 5-10 minutes of reading or can be lounged over for an hour or so. The language is simple enough that an early reader (1st-2nd grade) should be able to read it on his/her own. It's definitely a lot of fun to read aloud with kids and I'm glad I went that route with my kids.
I look forward to finding more stories from Wayside school.
****
4 stars
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LibraryThing member Ms.Turtle
A book about differnt students and Ms.Jewls. The first chapter was about Ms.Gorf that changed students into apples if they didnt pay attention, answer a problem, or anything a teacher wouldnt give a punishment for.
LibraryThing member t1bclasslibrary
Wayside school is a mixed-up, crazy place where an evil teacher turns children into apples, nicknames and names just don’t make sense, and the cutest teeth are those that aren’t there! This book isn’t quite as funny as Wayside School is Falling Down, but is definitely amusing.
LibraryThing member stipe168
everyone can benefit from its truths. a great book to sit down and take in. the writing is pure, as are the children in it.
“Class,” said Mrs. Jewls. “Let’s all thank Louis for his wonderful story.”
Everybody booed.
“Class,” said Mrs. Jewls. “Let’s all thank Louis for his wonderful story.”
Everybody booed.
LibraryThing member LAteacher
I think if you are a fifth grader, boy or girl, you need to read this book. If you made it to sixth grade without reading it, stop now, and go read it!
LibraryThing member laf
This strange, funny book is filled with odd, hilarious stories. Some even have a moral like you may do art quickly, but it won't necessarily be the best. This book is built up of a bunch of mini stories about abnormal kids with strange but unique hobbies or problems. There is a girl who didn't know
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what to do with her toes so she thought about cutting them off and selling them. She was shocked when her mom suggested clipping her toe nails. There are three brothers who had reputations that were completely the opposite of what they are. One was described as fat, when he was skinny. Another was said to be rude, when he was very polite. I recommend this book to people who are looking for an entertaining but quick read. Show Less
LibraryThing member lppeters
This book is such a fun read! It has a funny humor to it that keeps everyone engaged, including the teacher. I think this would be a wonderful source of positive reinforcement to the class, with an educational basis as a plus! The students would love to read this and I really do believe that it
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would help them stay on task and with good behavior if this was used for that manner. Show Less
LibraryThing member clshelkoff
This book is a very funny way to talk about a school and its students. Each chapter is about another interesting student or staff member at the school. The school was built on the intention to have 30 classrooms side by side, but instead the school was built with the 30 classrooms one on top of the
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other. This meant that the school was 30 stories tall. This book taks you through a typical day as a student in this very crazy school. Show Less
LibraryThing member sunnyburke
This is a silly book of short stories from a wacky school! I always start the year off with this as a read aloud and the kids really enjoy it. It has often spawned conversations about how Wayside School is very different from our school. It is a good book to use to introduce compare and contrast on
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a very informal level. Show Less
LibraryThing member menaramore
This book tells the strange and funny tales of the teachers and students from Wayside School. Each person has their own interesting and silly story to tell. Students love this book.
LibraryThing member prkcs
A Crazy Mixed-up School. There'd been a terrible mistake. Wayside School was supposed to be built with thirty classrooms one on top of the other...thirty stories tall! (The builder said he was very sorry.) That may be why all kinds of funny things happen at Wayside SChool...especially on the
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thirteenth floor. You'll meet Mrs. Gorf, the meanest teacher of all, terrible Todd, who always gets sent home early, and John who can read only upside down--along with all the other kids in the crazy mix-up school that came out sideways. But you'll never guess the truth about Sammy, the new kid...or what's in store for Wayside School on Halloween! There was a terrible mistake-Wayside School was built with one classroom on top of another, thirty stories high! (The builder said he was sorry.) Maybe that's why all kinds of funny things happened at Wayside-especially on the thirteenth floor. Show Less
LibraryThing member HeatherGabrich
These collection of book written by Louis Sachar are amazing for upper elementary and middle school kids. I chose this book to read with my practicum student and she loved it. It is about the crazy mixed up silly stories from Wayside School. The book focuses on the classroom on the 31st story and
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all of the crazy things that happen to the students. It begin with their teacher Mrs. Gorf turning all of the children in apples. They class get a new teacher, Mrs. Jewels. She imagines the whole class is monkey. That is where it all begin with the crazy mixed up stories to the students at Wayside School. Show Less
LibraryThing member Bettyest
Antics at Wayside school are never boring.
LibraryThing member tripleblessings
An advanced chapter book with 30 stories about the students on the 30th floor of Wayside School. This wacky school was built sideways, with 30 classrooms stacked one on top of another instead of beside each other in a row - the builder said he was very sorry. Mrs. Goft turns children into apples,
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D.J. always smiles, John is the smartest kid but can only read words upside down, Kathy hates everybody in the class, Todd isn't really bad but he always gets sent home early... Good fun for grades 3 and up. Show Less
LibraryThing member KatelynLum
A silly and comical chapter book that upper elementary students will love. It tells the tales of wacky Wayside School. You'll never know what you will find with teachers who turn children into apples and with a school where the 19th floor doesn't exist. Kids will fly through this book, hungry to
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read each crazy tale from Wayside School. Show Less
LibraryThing member Dportnoy
This is a great book to read with elementary students! Each chapter is a different story of what goes on in this crazy, silly school. I think the chapters are entertaining for young adults to read because it can relate to their school day. It's also fun to read aloud with a group of students
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because there are many characters in the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member mdemock
This book works well for guided reading groups or as a read aloud. It consists of many short stories about the students and other people at Wayside School. The stories are funny and quirky and appeal to most children.
LibraryThing member GaylDasherSmith
So funny and quirky and justifyably beloved by kids.
LibraryThing member sarahbatte
One of my favorite childrens books. These are little stories about different kids and teachers in wayside school. I really enjoyed reading this again from when I read as a child.
LibraryThing member JACOB.CONKLIN
Very interesting and funny book.
LibraryThing member Venisa
Genre: Fantasy
Review: This story was very comical and early elementary kids would love it. It was hard to choose a genre for this story because it was half one genre and half another almost. I made it fantasy because at the beginning of the book, the mean old teacher turns all her students into
Media: pencils
Review: This story was very comical and early elementary kids would love it. It was hard to choose a genre for this story because it was half one genre and half another almost. I made it fantasy because at the beginning of the book, the mean old teacher turns all her students into
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apples, which could never happen in real life. If it wasn't for this beginning to the story, I would have made it a realistic fiction because every student in a classroom is different and brings something unique to the class. Media: pencils
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LibraryThing member amygatt
This is really a just-for-fun book and was one of my favorites as a young reader. It is a compilation of very wacky stories about a school that was built sideways and has a lot of crazy teachers and students, including one new student named Sammy who actually turns out to be a dead rat in a trench
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coat. I think the best quality of this book is its ability to make students laugh and inspire their creative thinking skills. Show Less
LibraryThing member mgcook1
This silly book is just the fun students love the read about! Everything about Wayside School is way off! Just about everything about Wayside is exceptionally strange. I like this book because it allows children to be imaginative and determine what is and is not realistic. This also helps students
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to determine genre and motivates them to read and think about their readings. Show Less
LibraryThing member lekenned
These stories are great! Silly stories that are great for just encouraging students to read.
LibraryThing member cfalls
A good story to introduce at the beginning of the school year. This is about a class of silly students that live in a school that was built 30 stories up instead of 30 classrooms wide. The adventures never end between the teachers and the students. Your students are guaranteed to laugh at these
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funny stories. Show Less
Awards
Bluestem Award (2nd Place — 2012)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 1983)
Read Aloud Indiana Book Award (Intermediate — 1992)
Call number
J3E.Sac