Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom (Wayside School #4)

by Louis Sachar (Author) Tim Heitz (Illustrator)

Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom (Wayside School #4)
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Series: Wayside School

For the first time in twenty-five years, Wayside School is back in session in this brand-new, fourth installment in the perennially beloved and bestselling series by Newbery Medal-winning author Louis Sachar.

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.Welcome back to Wayside School!Your favorite students and teachers are all here. That includes Sharie, who loves her striped-and-spotted umbrella more than anything; Kathy, who has a bad case of oppositosis; Jason, who has to read the longest book in the world; and the rest of Mrs. Jewls's class on the thirtieth floor, who are busily collecting toenail clippings.

Everyone is scrambling to prepare for the all-important Ultimate Test, but meanwhile, there is a mysterious Cloud of Doom looming above them...More than fifteen million readers in the U.S. have laughed at the clever and hilarious stories of Wayside School. So what are you waiting for? Come visit Wayside School!

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Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

Sachar's snappy comedic stride doesn't miss a beat in his series' fourth installment--the first since 1995's Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger--as the curiosities of Mrs. Jewls's 30th-floor classroom multiply more quickly than ever. In order to demonstrate the concept of one million, the teacher announces, "We need to collect a million somethings," and decides (because Terrence happens to be cutting his big toenail at the time) that those somethings will be nail clippings. Dr. Pickle cannily manipulates his hypnotic, pickle-shaped stone to cure Kathy's persistent hiccups, reversing her sour disposition in the process. Wayside gets even wonkier after an ominous cloud settles over the building: the faces of Dana and Principal Kidswatter become stuck in humorously contorted expressions, and students use the cloud as a convenient scapegoat for failing a test and being tardy to school. Yet, "cloud or no cloud," the teacher insists that the kids take the Ultimate Test, in which outlandish challenges allow each student's unique talent to shine. Into the regaling levity, Sachar characteristically slips worthy nuggets about the rewards of kindness and friendship. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8-12. (Mar.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5--A delightful case of well-written nonsense. Mrs. Jewls's class is back and as wacky as ever. Whether collecting a million toenails or dealing with 'oppositosis, ' it's safe to say that nothing is ever normal at Wayside School. Yet when a cloud of doom looms over its walls, things get even stranger. Even the elusive Miss Zarves makes an appearance! After 40 years, Wayside School is still a delight. It still tickles the funny bone with the most ridiculous scenarios. As expected, the characters do lack depth; their only growth is shown through silly antics. Yet parents and librarians will be overjoyed to have their favorite class back. The real question is: Has Wayside stood the test of time? In an age of Dan Gutman's "My Weird School" series, where the text is more excitable and fast-paced, children may not be so enamored by the classic series. VERDICT Parents and librarians will be filled with nostalgia. Recommended for young fiction collections seeking silly school stories.--Rebecca Fitzgerald, Harrison Public Library, NY

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Rejoice! 25 years later, Wayside School is still in session, and the children in Mrs. Jewls' 30th-floor classroom haven't changed a bit."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Classification
-
ISBN-13
9780062965387
Lexile Measure
550
Guided Reading Level
N
Publisher
HarperCollins
Publication date
March 03, 2020
Series
Wayside School
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV035000 - Juvenile Fiction | School & Education
Library of Congress categories
Clouds
Schools
Humorous fiction

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