Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsgreat so far!
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2020
what a surprise for my 2nd grade class this morning-there's a NEW BOOK in their favorite series! They LOVED the first two chapters. There's always been a progression in Wayside School-from single stories in book 1 to long story arcs in book 3. The latest book seems to be a proper novel, which is great, because the length and intricacy of the story and character arcs has grown with the kids' increasing reading skills. It has a different feel from book 3 (just as book 3 was more plot-driven and less laugh-out-loud funny than book 2), but enough callbacks and classic Wayside School bits to satisfy the old-school fan. I can't comment on the middle and end just yet, because I promised the kids not to read ahead, but it's great so far!
update: my kids loved all of the references and callbacks to old stories (hint: there's a theme of 'opposite' that runs through the whole book!)
I also love that new illustrator Tim Heitz made the cast of students much more diverse! I'm going to get new copies of books 1-3 as well.
i started a youtube channel to read it to them during the SIP lockdown and they're still loving it! last chapter tomorrow...
