Sideways Stories from Wayside School

by Louis Sachar
Sideways Stories from Wayside School cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Children's Fiction
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Waterstones
Paperback • £7.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 8994
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-31
  • ISBN: 9781408801727
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  • Published: 2010-08-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Sideways Stories from Wayside School introduces readers to the quirky and talented students of Wayside School, a place where the unusual is the norm. Each chapter features a new student and their unique tale, from a boy who turns into a TV set to a girl who can float like a balloon. The stories are filled with humor and imagination, making it a delightful read for children and adults alike. The book is a celebration of creativity and individuality, showcasing the power of imagination and the joy of embracing the strange and wonderful. The author's playful writing style and the charming illustrations bring the stories to life, creating a world that is both whimsical and heartwarming.

Reviews
Book Bunnies Blog · Caramel · 2023-03-01
whimsical 4.20

The book is a weird and wonderful tale that captures the imagination of young readers. It's a fun and engaging read with quirky characters and strange happenings.

Caramel's review from Book Bunnies Blog highlights the weird and wonderful nature of 'Sideways Stories from Wayside School'. The book is praised for its ability to capture the imagination of young readers with its quirky characters and strange happenings. The review notes that the book is a fun and engaging read, filled with humor and creativity. The weirdness of the school and its students is celebrated as a key aspect that makes the book so enjoyable and memorable. The review concludes that it's a delightful and imaginative story that will captivate young readers.

Quick quotes

    It's about these kids in this place called Wayside School. It is a weird school, and all the students and teachers are also weird, and very strange and ...

    The book is a fun and engaging read with quirky characters and strange happenings.

    The weirdness of the school and its students is celebrated as a key aspect that makes the book so enjoyable and memorable.

Marvelous Tales · 2019-06-03
delightful 4.00

The book is a fun and engaging read with occasional fantasy elements that add to its charm. It's a delightful collection of stories that will captivate young readers.

Marvelous Tales' review emphasizes the fun and engaging nature of 'Sideways Stories from Wayside School'. The book is noted for its occasional fantasy elements, such as a teacher who turns students into apples, which add a layer of whimsy and excitement. The review highlights the delightful collection of stories that are sure to captivate young readers with their humor and imagination. The book is praised for its ability to entertain and engage, making it a favorite among children and a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    Mostly real world (ish), the books have occasional fantasy elements, including a teacher who turns students into apples.

    Possibly my favorite part of the book is the way it blends the real and the fantastical.

    It's a delightful collection of stories that will captivate young readers.

The Atlantic · 2016-04-27
whimsical 4.50

The book is a delightful and surreal read that introduces young readers to the absurd and the whimsical. It's a charming and imaginative story that stands the test of time.

The Atlantic's review highlights the enduring charm and absurd joy found in 'Sideways Stories from Wayside School'. The book is praised for its surreal and whimsical storytelling, which captivates young readers and introduces them to a world of imagination and humor. The review notes that the book's unconventional narrative and quirky characters make it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences. The absurdity and creativity of the stories are celebrated as early primers for more profound surrealism, making it a delightful read for both children and adults.

Quick quotes

    The classic children's book, first published in 1978, is an early primer for young readers who will eventually find their way to more profound surrealism.

    The absurd joy of 'Sideways Stories from Wayside School' lies in its unconventional narrative and quirky characters.

    It's a charming and imaginative story that stands the test of time.

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