Book Description

Stanley Yelnats is under a curse. A curse that began with his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather and has since followed generations of Yelnats. Now Stanley has been unjustly sent to a boys' detention center, Camp Green Lake, where the warden makes the boys "build character" by spending all day, every day, digging holes: five feet wide and five feet deep. It doesn't take long for Stanley to realize there's more than character improvement going on at Camp Green Lake. The boys are digging holes because the warden is looking for something. Stanley tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment--and redemption.

... Read more

Reviews (2566)

My Opinion of Holes
Holes is a book in which everything is a circle or is the shape of a circle. It is challenging in its own way. It forces the reader to make conclusions by foreshadowing events. The way this book is written shows thought, effort, and many revisions. Using flashbacks to foreshadow events is a brilliant method and definitely worth considering using in your own writing. This book is about a boy named Stanley Yelnats. Notice "Stanley" backwards makes "Yelnats." He is cursed with bad luck, just like the rest of his ancestors. He is accused of a crime he didn't commit, and is forced to go to Camp Green Lake Juvenile Correctional Facility. Here, he must dig a hole 5 ft deep and five ft wide in every direction everyday for 18 months, including Saturdays and Sundays. After much work and toil, he finally leaves Camp Green Lake. This book is very good and is undoubtedly one of the best books I've ever read. I recommend it to people from the age of 12 and up.

This book has holes, but they will be filled in.
Stanley Yelnats is unlucky because of his no good dirty rotten pig stealing great-great-grandfather. An old fortuneteller, named Madame Zeroni, cursed him, and all of his descendants. One day a pair of tennis shoes fell out of the sky onto Stanley's head. His father is trying to invent a used for old shoes, so Stanley brings the shoes home. He is convicted of stealing the shoes, which belong to a famous baseball player. He is sent to Camp Green Lake, a work camp that is located in the middle of the dessert, instead of jail. The boys at Camp Green Lake wake up early to avoid the hottest part of the day. The holes must be five feet deep and five feet in diameter. If anything interesting is found, it must be reported to the warden. After finding something, Stanley gets suspicious. He realizes what it is and understands why they are digging. There are many flashbacks throughout the story of Camp Green Lake 110 years ago. Zero, another boy at camp, quickly becomes friends with Stanley. Stanley teaches Zero to read in exchange of Zero’s help on digging his holes. Many adventures come of their friendship, including surviving in the dessert without water and deadly lizards. This book is great for children, teenagers, and even some adults. It keeps you on edge at all times, and you will never want to put it down. I read this book in 3 days, and it usually takes me a week to read you will never want to put it down. I read this book in 3 days, and it usually takes me a week to read a book at that length. Sachar makes so many great twists in the plot that all tie together for a great ending. That is why I recommend this book.

Classic....
Holes is one of my favorite books...Stanley Yelnats...man youll feel bad for this poor guy.

The characters in this book are great...and so funny.
Zero was my favorite character even though I found him a little annoying. The book has a great story and a great ending.

If you like books with dark humer...I guess this book has dark humer and a great story get HOLES..The movie is also great....

Check it out...It's really good.

5/5...

Later...

Saw the movie first
I made the mistake of seeing the movie before reading the book. The book is good but the movie is better. I think if I had read the book first it may have been a better choice.

HOLES ROCKS
holes is GREAT!!! the funny thing in this book is when stanly always blames his great great pig-stealing grandfather.i would not like to go to camp green lake. it was torture. it wasnt fair wat the boss did to everybody that ever went there. holes was great cause there was so much action and adventure. when u read holes it feels lke u went into a different world like dimension x. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Clever, zany stories by Louis Sachar
I first heard about these books from a friend who's a second grade teacher. She would read them to her class. Each chapter is a quick, individual story, usually about a particular student or situation. I keep one of these slim volumes in my purse at all times and pull it out when we have 5 to 15 minutes, like when waiting for our meal at a restaurant or waiting for daddy while he's in the dressing room. Since the stories stand alone, it's okay if you don't read them continuously: days or weeks may go by and you can quickly jump back into the world of Wayside School. Both my ten year old son and 7 year old daughter love these clever, zany, ironic stories. (Sometimes my ten year old reads them to the 7 year old!) Many stories require a little extra thinking to "get" the joke. It's a pleasure to see your kids eyes light up when they do! The book set makes a great gift for kids who aren't keen on reading, and, of course, those who are!

Great Book
This book is about a class. They are located on the 30th story of their school. You'll meet john who can only read upside down. Sammy the stinky one. Laugh your guts off as you read these wacky stories.

This book is appropriate for middle grade readers and for people who love comedy books This book is by the Newberry award winner Louis Sachar {rhymes with cracker} who also wrote Wayside School is falling down and Wayside school gets a little stranger.

-Smiles

fun Book
My 7 year old son loved these books, we have all of them, and he keeps re reading them. He couldn't stop talking about all the funny things that go on. I only wish there were more.

Makes you think!
I was read these books when I was in 4th grade and the jokes that Louis puts in are hilarious! Even the ones that are harder to find, such as:
1. Jane Smith's married name was Payne (Pain) and her husband's name was Sham. Sham Payne. lol
2. Eric Ovens, Eric Fry, Eric Bacon. Ovens fry bacon.
3. The substitute, Ms. Franklin said her name was Benjamin, to kid along with the kids. Put those two names together. . .yes, Benjamin Franklin!
Those are all the jokes I can think of now. These books are adorable and intelligent.

Priceless.
These books got me through my elementary school years, my middle school years, and yes, my high school years. Maybe I'll take them with me to college this fall! Louis Sachar is a genius. His take on school is right on, gently ridiculing it while at the same time being sweet and nostalgic. I'd give it 10 out of 5 stars if I could. Priceless! ... Read more

Book Description

A collection of 50 hilarious stories, each filled with brainteasers, designed to painlessly teach math skills. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Interesting Book
The book that I have read is called Sideways Arithmetic From Wayside School.The autor and the publisher of this book are Louis Sachar and Scholastic.What I like most in this book is the logical questions.
The questions which have mentioned in this book is about mathematics and logical thinking.It really suitable for me whom I am a science student.
It makes me think very deeply on the questions and improve my logical thinking a lot!
I would highly recommend to all of my friends and I would read it more.

Logic challenge!
This is a wonderful extra for a bright and mathematically-minded kid. It's silly, it's fun, and it hones the logic circuits. It is actually a cleverly disguised introduction to the concept of mathematical variables. Some of the puzzles are complex enough to engage most adults as well.

Jennifer's book review
I thought the book was really fuuny and the auther had a big imagination. I liked how the kids could be animals at a point and then be apples and then be kids again. I thought the book was really funny and I would have given it more than 5 stars but 5 is the hightest amount. The book was a really good fantasy and I really enjoyed it. o liked it so much I read it 3 more times. I would recamend this book to anyone who enjoy's a good lagh while reading!

It was wacky, yet it kept your brain working!
I thought the book was entertaining, and kept my mind thinking for hours at a time. This book is a great boredom buster!

It was an okay book
I'd give this three and a half, but Amazon doesn't offer that. It was funny and weird, but I wanted more story and less math problems (I don't really like math). All in all, it was okay. Try it if you like math and wacky problems, but otherwise don't bother. ... Read more

Book Description

Winner of 17 Children's Choice Awards nationwide, here is Louis Sachar's most beloved novel.

An IRA/CBC Children's Choice ... Read more

Reviews (141)

I thought that this book was excellent.
I read chapters 1-5 to many third and fourth grade classes in the NYC public schools. The children enjoyed the book greatly. Their favorite parts were when Bradley talks to his toy animals, makes up stories about doing well in school and starts making a friendship with the new kid Jeff. Each class has always reacted to the dialoque between Bradley and the other characters like "give me a dollar or I'll spit on you," to Jeff, "Call the zoo if you dont believe me",to his parents, "Lori loudmouth" to Lori, his classmate, Get out of here to his sister who barges in his room and says "what are you doing playing with your animal friends?" and Bradley responds "No I am arranging them in alphabetical order, it's a project for school." After I finish reading a section, I will hear a few kids saying the lines to themselves and laugh too. They also like the part when Bradley tells the guidance counselor that he eats dog food. I see how much the children relate to this book and many of the children who are not big readers have been inspired to read and get the book after I have read the first four chapters. I enjoy the rationale behind the book and how Bradley starts to grow and learn.

Bradley Chalkers=Me
I read this book, Sunday (Feb. 17, 2002) while I was going through a sad time. I love this book, and when I first read it when I was in middle school, I knew it was a special book. "There's a Boy in the Girl's bathroom" is funny, heartwarming, genuine, sincere, and powerful.

Bradley Chalkers---he is considered the "monster" in the book because he misbehaves, and he thinks he is a "monster" on the inside and the outside. His counselor, Carol, sees Bradley as the sweetest little boy deep inside himself. At first, Bradley doesn't want to listen to her, but then he does, and his life makes a beautiful transition. He is the person that he always was supposed to be. The likeable boy that everyone comes to adore.

"There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom" is a story about a little boy that changes. It touches me so much because in that 195 page you see Bradley change into the person that he was meant to be. I was feeling bad yesterday, but when I read that it makes me realize that if Bradley Chalkers, a fifth grader, can change his life so young, we all can too. It feels good to know that we can all grow and mature with a little help for people who care about us.

My Favorite Novel of ALL Time
I think i've read this book at least once a year since I was in the fourth grade, and I'm 19 now, so that would mean I've read it a little over 10 times. It's absolutely incredible. People do always give me funny looks when I say it's my favorite book, but I'm not going to lie to them. Sadly, my 10 year old copy is quite a bit dog eared now, so it's great to see they're still printing new editions.

There's A Boy is unlike a lot of other children's novels out there, even unlike a lot of other Sachar books. Where most kid's books offer simple, crazy set ups, a bit of conflict and an ultimately happy ending, There's A Boy doesn't do that. Instead, the setup is a little more sad than comical, the wacky events are all very true to life and the ending is quite a bit more bittersweet than would be expected. But that's exactly what this book needed, if everything ended perfectly the point would be lost.

There is also so much to like about this book, in that sense. Bradley and Jeff are amazingly complex characters, and so are the minor ones, too, (Notice how Mrs. Ebbel wants Bradley to succeed but still blatantly ridicule him in front of the class "Of course, there was one F"). Carla might seem like she's on the edge of perfection, especially in the eyes of the children, but her SPOILER final letter to Bradley indicates a bit of empitness and sorrow in her life.

If there's any criticism of the book, and, yes, I do have some, it's how it treats the relationship between the younger male and female characters. I'm not against it, but the roles seem oddly stereotyped for a book that defies most cut-outs. The fight in the rain is a perfect example, and kid who's read half a dozen books knows how this one is going to turn out. And Colleen's affection for Jeff is another bothersome plot point. No fifth graders act like that, really. It's too bad Sachar felt like he needed to place these plots in there when the resolve at the birthday party seems forced and un real (we all know Bradley is crazy, but this crazy? I don't buy it).

My sort of dream for these past ten years has been to turn There's A Boy into a feature length film, possibly with the changes listed above. Not a kid's film, though, one aimed at adults that emphasizes the sadness and pain in the novel. It'll never happen, but it's fun to take a scene from the book and imagine it as a scene in a real drama movie. It could happen. I hope.

So buy the book! You won't be dissapointed but maybe a little teary-eyed by the end. I'll probably order this edition to keep up with the times. At least the cover design on this one is a little more colorful.

Never loses its appeal
I was first read this book when I was seven years old, and now ten years later, about to graduate high school, it is still one of my favorites.

The story is touching. It's not your average children's book, where there are bad guys and good. In this story, there are shades of gray as our oringally unlovable protagonist can turn his ways around. It's also a story about friendship, the growth and development, and the many different bonds between children, parents, and teachers. And most importantly, in traditional Sachar style, it's a really funny story, as well, making it enjoyable for adults and kids.

This is truly one of my favorite books and because of it, I figured out what I want to study to be next year when I go to college: a guidance counselor for children, just like Carla.

There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom
There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom
By: Louis Sachar
Reviewed by: P. Kim
Period: 6

There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom is about a boy named Bradley Chaulkers that is hated by everyone in his class due to the trouble he causes. He doesn't do his homework, is a troublemaker, and also repeated a grade. Then a boy named Jeff Fishkins comes to his school and sort of becomes Bradley's friend. Soon Jeff decides to ditch Bradley to move to other friends. Everyone hated Bradley except Carla the new counselor. She enjoys talking to Bradley about his problems, and knows he can change into a better person. Bradley soon comes to Carla daily and with her help Bradley eventually changes into a better person.

I like this book for many reasons. One reason why I like this book is because it tells about a boy that has difficulty with the world in a humorous way. It gives great details about the life of Bradley Chaulkers. I also disliked the book because when I was hoping that the book would be about boys going into the girl's bathroom but when I started reading the first few chapters my smile turned upside down.

These are two of my favorite Quotes in the book, "Give me a dollar or I will spit on you." And, "I'll give you a dollar if you be my friend." I like these quotes because they are back-to-back sentences in which the whole conversation works out between Jeff Fishkins and Bradley Chaulkers.

My favorite part in "There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom" is when Bradley is invited to a birthday party and has no clue what to do when he plays games there. He even forgets to wrap his birthday present. But, luckily he has guidance so he wouldn't have to be embarrassed. I like this part because it shows him doing embarrassing things in front of people. ... Read more

Book Description

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.

Reviews (78)

totaly cool book
Sideways Stories From Wayside School

This book talks about a school that was made wrong so all kinds of bad things are happening. The main character is well there isn't a main character. Because there are 31 kids and every chapter there is a character. This story is set in a school that was made wrong. This book's genre is fiction because it is so non-believing. The author did a pretty good job because he made it so funny and so entertaining. The author's style is to entertain and to be funny.
What I felt about the book is excitement and surprising and felt like reading more. I would recommend this book to every one of my friends. And also to my mother my sister and maybe to every cousin I have. Truly I would like every one to read it. I think that people would love to buy this book for their kids so just try it. Your kids will love it guaranteed. Or also see more Luis Sachar just like "Holes". That's another book by Luis Sachar. No other book can possibly be better than this one.

This story will make your head burst out laughing
This book is the king of comedy books.I love the way louis sacher writes these books.If you want more laughter read the book by Louis Sacher a boy in the girls bathroom.my teacher read it to our class and we were laughing so hard.I have read it so many times it is hard to count.realy!Me and my next door neighbor talk about it so much. I've read all three main books they are sideways stories from Wayside school, Wayside school is falling down, and Wayside school gets a little stranger.I own those books to.If you agree with me e-mail me.

Memories
This book brings back memories. I used to read it all of the time when I was a child. I would check it out from my school's library almost every chance I got. I had forgotten about this book, because it has been a while since I was in the 2nd or 3rd grade. I'm 22 now. I ran across it while surfing the net and the memories started flooding back. I think that any child would love to read this book and it will become one of their favorites.

Awkward but a Great Story!
When I first saw the book in my school's library, I wanted to check out the book right away! But at the beginning I thought it was going to be a story that doesn't make sense very much because a few words were upside-down. Until I kept on reading the story was absolutely awesome! It's about a school that was built sideways but I'm not going to take away the suprises. Just read the book and you'll be very amazed.
(reviewed by AV and a little help from my dad)

A funny, modivational collection...
I recently dug this book out from beneath a lot of my childhood stuff. My dad read it to me when I was just a little kid; at 18, I just reread it, and enjoyed it as much, if not more so--because now I could read between the lines.

Thirty chapters. Each one is like a fable--an entertaining story, a nugget of truth woven into the fabric of each one. Peer pressure, politeness, standing up for yourself...sometimes the lessons are direct, sometimes they are subtle. Maybe kids won't understand them exactly, but they'll certainly remember the stories and remember the lessons thus.

The story:

There is something very wrong with Wayside School. It was built sideways--instead of one story with 30 rooms, is has 30 stories and one room per story. No nineteenth story, though, meaning that Miss Zarves, who teaches there, doesn't exist, either.

At Wayside, students have the tendency to get turned into apples; those pesky dead rats, who live in the basement, are always trying to get into class; sleeping through class is considered educational; turning the lights on and off is a task not just anyone can do; you can help yourself to ice cream with the flavor of your fellow students, but please refrain from biting your classmates; the lunch lady just can't ruin milk, no matter how hard she tries; mosquito bites are great for counting purposes; your two missing teeth are the best in the whole world, as are the hat you aren't wearing and the joke you didn't tell; only being able to read upside down ain't much of a problem, after all; where toes cost a nickel apiece, unless they're little runts; trading names consists of spinning around really fast until you don't know who's who; if two plus two doesn't equal four, watch out; and where you need a reason to be sad, but not to be happy.

"Sideways Stories From Wayside School" by Lous Sachar is a classic. Buy it, for your kid, your sibling, your niece/nephew, or yourself. It's entertaing for all ages, and just might help its reader become a better person. ... Read more

Book Description

Twelve-year-old jokester Gary Boone knows he was born to be a comedian, it's

the kids in his class who think he's just a goon. Winning the school talent

show would be Gary's dream come true, but on the big night his dream nearly

backfires--with hilarious results. "With its strong, realistic

characterization, Sachar's gracefully told story will please his longtime fans

and gain him new followers as well"-- Publishers Weekly.


An IRA/CBC Children's Choice.




... Read more

Reviews (32)

Have Fun Being Hatted
Dogs Don't Tell Jokes by Louis Sachar is a funny book about a kid named Gary Boon. Gary is never serious. It isn't untill Gary signes up for a school tallent show, and takes a bet from his parents and can't tell a joke for three weaks that he realizes every one hattes him,and so he has to try to make friends. so if you like funny books read this one.

Dogs Don't tell Jokes
One of the best books that I read this year would be Dogs Don't tell Jokes by Louis Sachar. This book was my favorite because it had a lot of different types of conflict. One is when Gary first found out about the talent show. He was having a really hard time to find out who he could sign up with. Then he just kept asking the kids at his school if they knew how to sign up. Then he finally comes to this girl named Brenda and she said, that he could sign up with his teacher. Finally he goes to his teacher and said to put his name on the list for the talent show. She said that he was the first one to sign up. That is just one of the reasons why this book is my favorite. Another reasons why this book is my favorite is when his parents told him that they would give him one hundred dollars if he would stop telling his jokes. He had to stop telling them until the talent show which was four weeks away. They said, that they were getting tired of hearing the same jokes over and over. They also said, that if he keeps telling them that people would have already heard them and they wouldn't won't to hear them again. His dad told him that today he repeated one of his jokes to one of customers. Gary said, that he would do it. he wouldn't won't say any more until the talent show. Then my favorite one is when he's at the talent
Show. When he comes out, he had a suit and a hat that was tight on his head. He had this thing that made his hair look like he had shaved it. then in one part of his act he wrapped a bath towel around him. He said, that the soap that he used is what made him bold. Then he starts off telling more of his jokes. He still has on the bath towel. Then he would start talking about the soap again. Then he would start talking about something else. He would just keep going back and fourth from one thing to another. He would never finish one of his jokes. That is why I think that you should read the book to find out the rest.

A disappointment
I am utterly disappointed in this book. After reading the Wayside School books, I thought that all of Louis Sacahr's books would be fabulous, but this book was far from it. I don't understand how every other reviewer thinks that this book is great and why they gave the book either four or five stars. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a boring and non-exciting book.

J.E.N.

Dogs Don't Tell Jokes
Dogs Don't Tell Jokes
By: Louis Sachar
Reviewed by: J. Lee
Period: P.3

This book is about a seventh grader named Gary Boone. He likes to tell joke

Don¿t Tell Anymore Jokes
Don't Tell Anymore Jokes
Dogs Don't Tell Jokes By Louis Sachar
This story is about a boy named Gary W, Boone. He wants to be a famous comedian. He always daydreams about being on a late-night TV show. When he tells a joke to kids in his class they all give him funny looks and call him a dork and all other mean names. They also laugh at him because they think the joke is so dorky. When Gary hears them laugh he think that they are laughing at the joke but they really are laughing at him.
The most interesting thing about this book is when the school talent show comes up.
Gary of course wants to be in the talent show and do jokes. He says that that will get him in
to the comedian stage. He tries everything he can and he goes through alot of stuff. One of the thangs he goes through is him finding out that people don't like his jokes. When he has to practice his jokes. He tries to make the jokes up but sometimes he doesn;t know what the joke should be. When he says the jokes to him self and they do not sound funny. After a while he gets tired of trying to make up jokes so he disides to change his whole idea and goes to a normal kid. He tries to hang out with other kids and not do the jokes anymore. Then he diside that no one else would really pay attention to him and that he really liked telling jokes.So he goes back to teling jokes.
People I think would like this book is kids who like to read life books about people's life.Also if you like funny stories!So I think that 4th or 5th graders would like it.If older kids like books like that or like kinda in the middle sized of stories might like it to.
Between the rating sacale of 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest. I would give it a 9. Not that it is bad book it is a great book!!! ... Read more

Book Description

The extraordinary thirty-story school and its zany inhabitants are back in the long-awaited sequel to the classic SIDEWAYS STORIES FROM WAYSIDE SCHOOL, one of the most popular Camelot books ever.

Reviews (62)

Wayside School is Falling Down
Wayside School is Falling Down is a very good book if you like funny books. But you don't want to know about Mrs. Gorf or Mr. Gorf because they are very mean. There is not a nineteenth story . Mrs. Jewls is the nicest teacher, at least that is what they think. They said inside of a good teacher there is also a bad teacher. Never go into the basement because they think there are ghosts and people are in there.
This is why I think you should read it.

The Best Book I've Read This Year
Wayside School is Falling Down by Louis Sachar is a very interesting book about kids and the problems they have at school, such as a child bringing in a hobo for show and tell, and having a thirty stories high building instead of thirty classrooms next to each other! These are only two of the problems children at Wayside school face. So if you like adventures this book is right for you.
I really liked this book because every time I read it I would just crack up because it was so funny. Unfortunately this book is really short. Also it's more child-like than I had expected. .....

Wayside school is falling down By louis sachar
I loved this book .... Especially when you read about Miss Zarves on the 19th story. well you know. You will love this book!

Hilarious!
This prequel to Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger is just as hilarious as its sequel. The Wayside books are hilarious books, and I strongly urge children to read it among their first novels.

Does Johnny Hate to Read?
Louis Sachar has found a way to combine a child's wacky way of viewing the world, clever plays on words, phrases, and chapters(!!), and a cast of quirky characters to produce a set of books that will coax any reader to keep on reading.

The third of his Wayside School series, Sachar turns the school upside-down, and, in the process, guarantees entertaining reading for adult and child alike. I particularly enjoy the audio version of the book, since the "voice" on tape successfully makes each character's persona his own.

This is a book that your child (and you!) will find yourself reading over and over, discovering new meanings in different passages each time.

Mr. Sachar, keep writing!! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

WORSE THAN IQ
I can garantee the you will have a hard time discovering the arithmetic problems in this book. Sachar surely showed the humor and his intelligent brain. The way he expressed the problems is very easy to be understood, but i think you may need a big pile of paper, and a big pile of TIME.
The accompanying book Sideways Arithmetic From Wayside School is out before this book, and that one, ha, is very confusing. But not as much as this one.
Overall, Wayside School Series is just for fun.

Not as good as the first
Unlike the original Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School, which was an excellent set of logic problems, some difficult enough to challenge a math teacher - I wish I'd had it while I was preparing for my GREs - this book was a bit of a disappointment. The problems were, first of all, much easier than those in the first book, and they stayed at mainly the same level. So, once you'd learned the basics of a certain type of problem, the next few of that type remained just as easy, instead of challenging the reader. Stick to the fist one -- it's strong and a LOT more fun. Methinks Sachar slacked off a bit in writing the "sequel".

This book DOMINATES!!!
Perhaps the finest piece of literature ever written, this book teaches you how to add words and that pop quizzes don't exist. I'll explain. If it's a pop quiz, it can't be on Friday because the kids will know it's coming. Then it can't be Thursday, because if they know it's not on Friday and they haven't had it yet, they'll know it's coming. Eventually, the kids eliminate the possibilities of a pop quiz altogther. Fab!

Excellent for development of logic skills
We use this book as an adjunct to our grades4-5 math curriculum. Specifically, we use it as a challenge for our brighter students. The students love the puzzles in this book and it enhances their love for math. ... Read more

Book Description

All the kids from Wayside School had to spend 243 days in horrible schools while Wayside closed to get rid of the cows (Don't ask!). Now the kids are back and the fun begins again on every floor. Miss Much has prepared a Day on the 30th floor--with dogs and cats and frogs and skunks and pigs, and an orange named Fido causing a terrible commotion. In Mrs. Drazil's class, they're throwing a coffeepot, a sack of potatoes, a pencil sharpener, and a light bulb out the window to see which hits the ground first. But the big surprise is that Mrs. Jewls is expecting a baby--but one named Cootie Face or Bucket Head--and a substitute teacher is coming--and everyone knows what that means...

Reviews (33)

So FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think this is the funniest Wayside School book! If you haven't read the first and second books you should! Definetly buy it, I laugh every time I read it and I've read it a million times, once me and my friends were reading it out loud to each other and we were laughing so hard we couldn't talk, everyone kept grabbing the book from each other as if they could read it out loud but then cracked up and handed it to somone else!

Wayside school is a little stranger
Wayside School is getting Stranger

It's stories in wayside school. In Mrs. jewels class because they are left alone because the subs are mean. But Mrs. Jewels is having her baby that's why substitutes are there and the kids want Mrs. Jewels back. But then some thing bad happends to the students.
I think this book is great because it's really funny and it's really great to read a that is great for them but thing I hate is it's a short story but if it was longer it would be great.

Best book ever!!!
i got this book from the libary and in read the first chapter and i lovvvveeeedddit!! i could not put it down chidren that are 7 and up have to read this boook trust me i don't read alot but this one i do read...

Sam V. - Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger
I've read "Wayside Shool Is Falling Down" and it was funny. "Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger" is even funnier and the problems are more interesting. Some of the parts might make you laugh out loud. The story is basically about Mrs. Jewls getting pregnant and other teachers with strange backgrounds take her place. There was Mr. Gorf, (he was Mrs. Gorf's son and he can steal peoples' voices through his third nostril), Mrs. Drazil (Louis's teacher),Mrs. Smith (Jason's Dentist and a former student of Mrs. Drazil's), and Miss Nogard (she hated everybody and she could read everybody's thoughts through her third ear on her head). As you can see, Wayside School does get a little stranger. You'll see what or who the little stranger is once you read the book, and I greatly recomend you do.

It¿s open and getting a whole lot stranger !!
It's open and getting a whole lot stranger !!
Wayside School gets a little stranger
by Louis Sacher

After closing for 242 days to get rid of cows, everyone's favorite 30 story school is open again!
In chapter 2 a message from the principal Mr. Kidswatter says "What a bunch of baloney! There I was lying on a beach in Jamaica when suddenly i got a fax that the stupid school was open again! Those kids better not bother me. My friends? What a joke! Like I'd want to be friends with those little snot-nose" over the intercom.
I think everyone who can read would like this book. Really it's that funny.
Another funny part is in chapter 20 Elevators. Where Mr. Kidswatter says "Good morning boys and girls. I have a very important announcement elevators have been installed in our school! Now before you all rush out to use the elevators I want to talk a little bit about the elevators. There are two elevators One is blue. one is red. When you want to go up, you take the blue one. When you want to go down you take the red one. It's that simple. I can not go wrong!" So finally Wayside School got elevators. A blue one and a red one. They each worked perfectly one time-and never could be used again.
In my own system out of 10 I give this book a 100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.
Really it's that funny. ... Read more

Reviews (45)

THE BEST BOOK EVER!
This book was so amazing. David is a normal kid trying to fit in with the popular kids, and when he helps an operation to take Mrs. Bayfield's cane, he flips her off and gets cursed... Or does he? After that David loses his old friends but gains a bunch of new ones that remind everyone of the three stooges. To top that, things like his pants falling down while asking someone out, or his zipper being down when he walks into class happen to him. I couldn't put this book down. My mom usually reads the same books I read if I say they are good, and she loved it too. I had read Holes not that long ago, and thought it was great, but this book is one million times better. I really suggest that people read this.

A very good, funny book
I recently read this book and I liked it a lot. There are a bunch of swears in it, but hey, that's how normal kids their age usually talk anyway. It is a book about a kid, David, who everyone says is totally uncool. When he tries to become cool by helping steal a "witch's" cane, she puts a "curse" on him. Now it seems he can't do anything right. He spills things left and right, he walks into class with his fly unzipped, and his pants keep falling down. He goes to the

"witch's" house to see how he can get rid of the curse. He finds out, but how will he be able to pull off what the "witch" wants him to do?

A book full of imaginative writing, suspense, and a surprise ending. I would reccomend this book to ages 10-up. Not for people who don't like swearing.

This book is the reason that kids love Louis Sachar
I remember discovering this book in my 5th grade classroom library. It was a big, secret hit because it had SWEARING in it, which of course my friends and I thought was hilarious. But it was hilarious because it was in a BOOK, in the school library no less. God knows we knew the words already, and we certainly knew how to use them. For a while it was fun to just remember the pages with the dirty words and giggle over them, but eventually I decided to sit down and actually READ the book. And it made a big enough impact on me that I still remember it now, eight years later. Louis Sachar must remember middle school better than most of his peers, because he writes about how it is. Middle school students adore his books because they're accurate; kids know when they're being talked down to. Middle schoolers, yes, even your precious 9-12 year olds, know how to swear, know how to fight, and know how to flip off old ladies. Kids are not nice, not in the least, and at least Louis Sachar can write a book that they can relate to. It's pointless to suggest that a book aimed at this age group should be held responsible for upholding any grand morality. When you're 12, you really don't care. But if it's a book that kids will want to read, that teaches how to stand up for yourself and appreciate the friends you have, well... isn't that the point?

A great book
This was an Awesome book! My son loved it! People have to just get this....most children know what these words are and are interested about reading books that are more realistic. Kids in their school use this language, and your kid probably does too. To even say shame on Sachar is completely wrong. [...] Maybe you should make sure the books your giving your kids are what you want kids to read. This is one of Sachar's best books and the language makes it more realalistic and interesting. I would reccomend this book for 10+ .

Mr. Sachar, why did you have to go blue?
David and Scott had been best friends since grade school. They were the type of friends who walked to and from school everyday and spent most of their free time together. However, in middle school Scott, who is smart, good looking, and athletic, finds himself being invited to hangout with the popular boys. At first, David also hangs out with the popular kids, but his acceptance into this group is only due to his association with Scott. David doesn't particularly like Scott's new friends and he knows that they are just barely tolerating him. But even worse is that David gets the feeling that Scott, his best friend, is embarrassed by David's presence when hanging out with these "cool" kids.

David tries to fit in and even goes along with a vicious prank on an elderly woman even though he knows it was wrong. (During the prank, the woman puts a "curse" at David.) However, David's attempts to fit in fail and gradually he gets the idea that his friendship with Scott is over. To emphasize that they are no longer friends, Scott with his new buddies decide to make David's school life miserable. David finds himself alone and seemingly cursed in the unfriendly world of middle school.

Yet David makes new friends. There is Larry, an odd guy, who constantly wears blue sunglasses, and claims to have lived all over the world. And there is Maureen (better known as Mo) a petite girl with short hair and "a-don't-mess-with-me" demeanor. And then there is "Ms. Williams"- the girl David likes and has given hints that she likes him too. David should be happy. He has new friends and he is on the verge of asking Ms. Williams out. However, Scott and his buddies not only continue to tease David, but also start picking on his new friends and his younger brother. Even worse is that David thinks that the "curse" put upon him, which he believes is causing to do a lot of dumb, clumsy, and obnoxious stuff, is ruining his chances with Ms. Williams. So David must find a way to beat the curse and in doing so he must also confront the bullies as well as his own guilt and fears.

Louis Sachar's depiction of middle school life certainly rings true in many aspects. (I had a close grade school friend who abandoned me for the popular crowd in junior high.) Also, Sachar recognizes that sometimes fighting back is the only thing that will make a middle school bully back off. (I tried for months to ignore the bullies who had targetted me. However, that only encouraged wanna-be kids to see me as an easy way to increase their social standing. It was only after I finally stood up and I clobbered a wanna-be that most of the teasing ended.) Sachar's depiction of a middle school brawl is graphic and very realistic.

Also realistic is the language used by the characters. However, I have to agree with some of the other reviewers here that this sort of language is inappropriate for the age group this book is marketed for. Yes, I used this sort of language when I was 12, but I don't think the use of it should be encouraged in a book for kids 9-12. It's also unneccessary. I think there are some good lessons to be learned from this book such as moral responsibility and standing up for yourself and your friends, but the inclusion of some very harsh language will make teachers and school librarians less likely to recommend it to their students. ... Read more

Book Description

Will kissing his elbow really turn Marvin into a girl? Casey Happleton claims it's so, and Marvin starts to believe her after his lips "accidentally" brush his elbow."Kids will love the frankness about grade school gender wars and social taboos."--Booklist.
... Read more

Reviews (8)

Marvin Redpost #3 is Fun!
I have read all of the Marvin Redpost books, but I liked Is He a Girl? best because it was very fun and suspenseful. It is a fun story because Marvin thinks he is a girl but he doesn't tell his friends. He believes that he is starting to like girl things but I think that there is no difference in girl and boy activities. I think Marvin sees this too. I think this is a fun book for eight or nine year olds to read and younger kids to listen to.

Marvin Repost Is He a Girl
I liked Marvin Redpost because it was funny . The reason it is funny to me because he kept trying to kiss his elbow. He almost got caught kissing his elbow. He started to act like a girl . He was wondering why girls giggle when they come out of the bathroom. He liked the way girls did thiings with their hair. He started to bite his finger like a girl in his classroom. He said that girls are lucky because they can wear anything they want like shorts, skirts and dresses and get to get boys in trouble more than boys get girls in trouble. My favorite part was when he tried to kiss his elbow and got tangled up in his sheets.

Funny Adventure
I'm Ceci. I gave this book four stars because it was very funny,mysterious, and it made me keep on reading. I didn't give this book five stars because the ending doesn't really answer some questions in the book. Some parts of it made me laugh until milk came out of my nose. Kids: DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!!...Altho you SHOULD probably buy it.

Disappointing
Can a boy really turn into a girl if he accidentally kisses his elbow? Does wanting to learn to play jacks and wear sparkly clothes make him a girl? Nine-year-old Marvin has a lot of worries. In a disappointing ending that reinforces sex-role stereotypes,he manages to kiss his elbow again and returns to his macho self, although he does befriend a girl in his class.

Is She A Boy?
I liked the book because it was funny. I liked the characters in the book. I liked Marvin, Patsy, Casey, Stuart, Nick, Travis Clarence, Kenny, Mrs. North, and Judy. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Great, Funny and Interesting
The book Red Post is an interesting and funny book. The book is about this kid that was playing wall ball and the ball went over the line. Then the kid he was playing against caught it but he said that it didn't go over the line. Then another kid said it went over the line. Then the kid that thought it went over the line, told Marvin to shut up because you were not watching, you were over there picking your nose. After that every body started to laugh. He said that he was not picking his nose and they all kept on laughing at him. The next day he figured out something and at school he kept on asking every body if they heard about what happened yesterday and he told every body that he didn't pick his nose, everybody kept laughing at him because he kept on reminding them. Then his own friends would not play with him any more.

The book's message is that if you're doing something don't say anything because they might catch you they will tell everybody and they could embarrass you. If they catch you do not ask everybody if they heard about yesterday because they will start laughing and you are the one that is reminding them about it, so don't tell them.

My opinion is that this is a good book. I liked it I think it is an interesting book and I would read it again. There were a lot of funny parts and it was a real cool book. I liked the book a lot.

Adoptabook.Info Review
Louis Sachar, possessing tremendous range as a children1s lit master, bring us the Marvin Redpost series---smartly designed for the mid-second grade reader. The second in a now lengthy series, Sachar has poor Marvin---a likable rolly-polly sort of lead---embroiled in controversy. When a close call in a Wallball game leads to verbal sparring, a yard bully accuses Marvin of committing that most grievous of all elementary school sinsÐpicking your nose. Naturally, such an accusation makes for wildfire gossip around school and soon it seems the entire world (even Marvin1s teacher) seems to believe a most disgusting truth about our hero. Marvin1s solution for his way out of this mess is a brilliant stroke of psychology (and comic writing) and serves to illustrate some basic truths about being human. Not splashing on the same sort of wackiness as in his Wayside School pallet, Sachar offers up an easy ironic touch in the Marvin Redpost series.

The Marvin Redpost series is an ideal beginning Adopt-a-Book, blending approachable vocabulary with a straight-forward, yet sage storyline There is one Stumper that may be particularly helpful to kids, arising when Marvin1s teacher pens her report card comments. Another in a fine series that may hook kids on Marvin after they sample some as Adopt-a-Books...

Don¿t pick on Marvin ¿cuz we all do it!
Let's face it, kids can be cruel. Marvin Redpost goes to 3rd grade where kids are kids and adults sometimes don't investigate the situation completely.

While playing ball, Marvin is accused of picking his nose by the class bully. Like most bullies, he is just looking for something to taunt Marvin with and nose picking happens to be it. Of course, Marvin wasn't, and of course, it upsets him. He tries to stand up for himself, but everyone is so caught up in how funny-gross it is that no one is listening. The trouble starts with neither Marvito the wound. Very soon, Martin himself, now friendless, begins believing that he's a disgusting person. That is, until inspiration strikes and he finds out that we're really all very much alike (I'll not spoil the ending for you!!)

Sachar has done a tremendous job of taking the subject of bullying and elementary school obsession and putting it into a very readable form for young children. Bullies will bully and try to turn everyone against that one poor soul they don't care for at any chance they get. What often gives them more power, oddly enough, is the victim denying the bully's accusation; in this case, Marvin vehemently saying that he DOESN'T pick his nose. By Marvin constantly talking about it, he's actually feeding into the situation without knowing it. Better in these cases to ignore it and let it drop.

However, most elementary school children don't realize the power of ignoring mean comments like that or realize that the person doing the bullying will soon get bored with the whole thing if you don't respond. Though this tactic wasn't taken in "Why Pick on Me?", it's still a good suggestion for the "alternative solution" crowd who may use this in schools.

Sachar also treats the subject matter with tact, knowing that nose picking can reduce a class to screams of "eeeeew!" in a heartbeat. He doesn't add unnecessary details about the act, but nor does he shy away from it. Therefore this book is very likely to draw in even reluctant readers because they'll want to see what happens next!! In a world where we could all use a little more respect, Marvin shows us that we're all the same: human.

There's a Big Lesson in this Little Book!
At the beginning of every school year, I read Marvin Redpost:Why Pick on Me? to my new 4th graders. Marvin has to deal with abully in his class who starts a rumor that Marvin is a nose-picker. Everyone believes the rumor is true, even Marvin's 2 best friends. Marvin's family supports him, and he resolves the problem in an interesting way that leaves the bully looking rather foolish. This is a funny book, a sad book, and an insightful book. I read it to my students to open up a discussion about bullying and teasing. There's a big lesson to be found in this little book.

Marvin Redpost: Why pick on him?
Marvin Redpost is a young 3rd grader who picks his nose. Everyone makes fun of him. I felt bad for him when they would call him names. My favorite part is when he comes up with the idea that he should write a survey for the class... Sure enough everyone said that they did pick their noses. I think that it is very brave of them to say yes. I like Marvin. ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in black-and-white. Marvin Redpost has finally figured out why he doesn't look like anyone in his family. He's not really Marvin Redpost--he's Robert, the lost prince of Shampoon! "The story is wonderfully logical and absurd, with a wit and attention to detail rare in an easy reader."--Bulletin, Center for Children's Books. "Fast paced, easy to read, and full of humor."--School Library Journal.
... Read more

Reviews (9)

This Book Is Intersting To Read!
I really like this book called Marvin Redpost: Kidnapped at Birth. Marvin is a 9 year old boy who is always getting in trouble. In this story Marvin is kidnapped by strangers. Marvin tries to get to mom and dad, who are the King and Queen. Marvin said he had the wrong family. Louis Sachar is the author. I like this book because it is sometimes funny and sometimes it has really cool pictures. Sometimes Marvin books are hard and sometimes they are easy. It is the right book for me and it is good for the other 3rd grade also.

better pic.
I think this Marvin Redpost book is better then the other Marvin Redpost books because the pic. are better then all of the other ones.

Marvin Redpost Kidnapped at Birth
The way I like that book was beacause I like reading the kind of books that have adventures and mysteries. The book I read
that kidnapped kid was kind of fun. I also like that book because
that third grade kid who thougt he was kidnapped at the day he was born. I would love to tell this story so other kids would
enjoy reading it like I enjoyed it. It was about a great kid who thought he was kidnapped at birth. Because when he saw the t.v
news the prince of shampoon lost his son when he was born.

marvin redpost kiddnapt at birth
Marvin Redpost is a nice little boy that thinks he was kiddnapt at birth. There was an add on the television saying that the prince of Egypt is missing. So Marvin thought that he was the prince and that he was kiddnapt at birth. So he went around school telling everyone that he was kiddnapt at birth. That he was the lost prince of Egypt. Then on the television there was a girl saying that the prince was gone since he was a baby. She gave out a number and Marvin called it.The lady said he has to get blood taken too if he is. If it is zero negitive he is the prince of Egypt.

Royal blood??
Meet Marvin Redpost. He's an average kid with a nice, average family, but something has always struck him as odd. He has red hair and blue eyes while the rest of his family doens't. When the King of Shampoon comes on TV saying that his own son was kidnapped at birth, is Marvin's age and has red hair and blue eyes, Marvin's friends easily convince him that HE, Marvin Redpost, is really the prince of Shampoon! What ensues afterwards is pure Sachar (and therefore, quite a good bit of fun!).

Louis Sachar has given us some fantastic works, including "Sideways Stories from Wayside School" and the John Newberry Medal winner, "Holes". For more beginning/intermediate readers he now gives us the Marvin Bedpost saga ("Kidnapped at Birth" is the first of 4 books in the series). Sachar's style is always funny and realistic and his characters are human and warm. The realistic pencil drawings by Neal Hughes add a lot of realism to the story without making it cartoonish. Get a copy and begin your adventures with Marvin-- uh, I mean, Prince of Shampoon!! ... Read more

Book Description

Many have tried to master the slippery slopes of Suicide Hill on their bikes. Marvin's older brother has conquered the hill, but Marvin has steered clear. Until now. The word at school is that Marvin will be taking on the hill with his new mountain bike. But the truth is, he can barely climb on the seat! And the gears--forget about it. How did he suddenly become a daredevil? Does he have to go through with it to prove himself? If Marvin makes it, he'll be a hero. If not, his friends and family may catch the biggest wipeout in history! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Marvin's Back....
How does Marvin Redpost get himself into these situations? The talk around school is that he's got a new mountain bike and is going to take on Suicide Hill. Truth is, Marvin can hardly even climb onto the bike, no less ride it. If he actually survives the ride, he'll be the most popular boy at school. If he wimps out, he'll never be able to show his face again. And if he challenges the hill and loses, his friends and family may get to watch the worst wipeout, ever. Poor Marvin is scared to death and doesn't know what he's going to do..... Louis Sachar has written another charming and amusing story your 7-10 year olds will really be able to identify with. This is a story full of great, realistic scenes, true to life dialogue and characters, so real, they could live in your neighborhood. And as Marvin decides whether to take that fateful trip down Suicide Hill or not, your youngsters will be rooting for him. Mr Sachar and Marvin never disappoint and they're not starting now.

Marvin Redpost continues to please
The newest Marvin Redpost series book does not disappoint its faithful followers. Marvin again gets himself into a sticky situation-- this time he manages to get dared into riding his new mountainbike down Suicide Hill and it's a bike that he can hardly fit on top of. Stick with Marvin through the story and learn how he always seems to come out on top! ... Read more

Book Description

Should you ever find yourself at Camp Green Lake–or somewhere similar–this is the guide for you. Stanley Yelnats (Caveman, to some of you) offers anecdotes and advice on everything from digging the perfect hole to identifying and avoiding the wildlife (scorpions, tarantulas, rattlesnakes, yellow-spotted lizards, Mr. Sir) to help make your stay a more pleasant one. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Survival is Right
After reading Stanley Yelnat's Guide to Camp Green Lake, I definetely want to read Holes -the first installment to this book. I really should have read Holes first but I am glad that I read this one because it is so HILARIOUS! It's a little under my age group but that didn't stop be from enjoying every funny moment at Camp Green Lake. Stanley, otherwise known as the Caveman, does an excellent job explaining how to survive your time at Camp Green Lake. He tells in details what you need to look out for and what you should and shouldn't do. Each section on what you need to know is filled with captivating examples and stories. Also included are differnt survival test questions to make sure you are paying attention. I especially like survival test 1 about what you should do if you should come upon a rattlesnake. If for no other reason to find out what you should really do when confronted by a rattlesnake, you should read this book.

I went to camp Green Lake and this didn't help
When I first arrived at Camp GreenLake, I was impressed with the sophisticated lodging arrangements, however, on my second night Jason tried to kill me. The book didn't warn me about this at all. I was nearly decapitated when Freddy came and tried to kill Jason. They had a big battle on the dock, and finally Harry and Hermione flew in on a Hipocrite and started making out. This love seen eventually turned R rated, and I watched them go at it. Meanwhile, Freddy and Jason had been turned into jellybeans by The Wicked which from the west who flew in and out of the scene. After Neo saved Trinity, I was bored and went home. This book said nothing about this situation and should not be used as a survival guide, the book, however was very good.

A Must-Have Companion to Holes
If you've read HOLES, this is the book for you. STANLEY YELNATS' SURVIVAL GUIDE TO CAMP GREEN LAKE is just what the title says, it's a survival guide. It has all types of chapters about everything that was discussed in the novel HOLES. Such as how to dig the perfect hole, and identify rattlesnakes, tarantulas, yellow-spotted lizards, Mr. Sir, and other dangerous creatures. It even has a chapter on how to win friends and influence people.

This book is hilarious, and a must-have for anyone who has ever read HOLES. Sachar has created an exciting world for readers to delve into. Even reluctant readers will be happy to follow Stanley and his friends on their mystery stay at Camp Green Lake, and this book will help readers to survive everything that Camp brings along with it. A must-have for all.

Erika Sorocco

Just as Good as "Holes."
I *loved* the book Holes, I've read it over ten times, so I was a little unsure if this would be as good. Stanley Yelnats Survival Guide to Camp Green Lake is hilarious, just as good as the original, Holes.

This book is written "by" Stanley Yelnats, so it's really funny to read about what he thinks. He uses sarcasam to tell you what went on after he left, everything about how each camper (in his tent) got there, how to avoid the wildlife, and what not to say to the campers. There are also quizzes, which are hilarious, but the highlight of the book is definately the appendix-type thing in the back, which explains why each camper was there, and they're laugh-out loud funny.

I recommend this book if you liked the book or movie Holes, you won't be disappointed, the only thing is, dont read it in public, because you will laugh out loud!

Overall grade: A+

A good companion
This past school year was my last, as I just retired after 28 years. My ED class read, listened on tape, and studied the book Holes. Of course, we went on a field trip to see the movie - awesome!. Stanley Yelnat's Survival Guide makes a very good companion for the book. I even ordered it knowing I was retiring - for 2 reasons. One because I wanted to read it for myself and the second reason was to give it to other teachers if I found it worthwhile. Two very lucky teachers with be getting Stanley Yelnat's Survival Guide. Buy!! ... Read more

Book Description

Nobody understands why Angeline is so smart. She could read the first time she picked up a book, she can play the piano without ever having had a lesson, and she even knows what the weather is going to be. But being smart is causing Angeline nothing but trouble. The mean kids in school call her a freak, her teacher finds her troublesome, and even her own father doesn't know what to do with an eight-year-old girl who seems to be a genius. Angeline doesn't want to be either a genius or a freak. She just wants the chance to be herself and be happy. But it's only when she makes friends with a boy the kids call "Goon" and the teacher they call "Mr. Bone" that Angeline gets that chance. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

This is my favorite story of all! 1,000 stars for Angeline!
This is my very favorite book! It is a wonderful story about being accepted in a community where we consider the "norm" to be the standard. Angeline is an eight year old "genius", and she has a very hard time fitting in... She is sent to a higher grade than she's supposed to be in, no one likes her, and ever her father doesn't know how to talk to her. If only he tried, he might discover that she is more normal than anyone imagines.
There are some things that Angeline knew before she was born. I find this a fun part of the book, because it leaves this unexplained... And lets you guess. If Mr. Sachar did explore into this more, I think it might have ruined the story. It is just one of those mysteries that makes you wonder. It also adds character to Angeline.
Angeline is "in balance with the whole". She understands things that others can't even perceive.
On the other hand, she wants to be accepted. She wants to be included. And it isn't until she meets a funny boy named Gary and his kind teacher, Miss Turbone (Mr. Bone) that she finds confidence in herself.
A beautiful story! I can't tell you how much I love it.
One thousand stars!!

You never know....
You never know what to expect from a Louis Sachar book. The one thing you can always be sure of however is quality literature for young people that also appeals to adults. I have always been amazed at how this lawyer from California is able to weave elements of his stories together and not ignore the details. Little mysteries from the beginning of the story will make sense in the end.

Angeline is too smart for her own good and is not well like at school, until she meets a young boy who is sort of an outcast himself. The two of them befriend a teacher who befriends Angeline's father. The story was cute and I was able to relate Angeline and really felt for her. I did have 2 problems however.

First, Sachar routinely talks about the things Angeline knew before she was born because she was connected to the world, but he does not explore this topic as much as I would have liked, or expected. Also, I felt the suggested future romantic relationship between Angeline and Gary to be a little much considering she is only 8 years old. These are both small issues, but they did prevent the book from getting a five star rating.

Why 4 stars?:
With the exception of two flaws: 1 dealing with a concept not being explored fully, the other with content, this book was very enjoyable. It is not the most open for discussion of Sachar's works, but there is still plenty to talk about. I would recommend this book for intermediate students and their classrooms - it is already a part of mine.

Still thinking of Someday Angeline
I read this book when I was about 10 years old (18 years ago). I loved it! I ended up reading it so many times that it had yellowed and the edges of the paperback frayed. At 28, I have recommended it to numerous people - most recently, my 7-year-old. She is a little ahead of where she should be in school and having a hard time socially because of it

Angeline went through some tough times and tough lessons. She "disappointed people" and misunderstood by even more people. This story is written so simply that it makes it easy to share with teens and young kids. The book is full of hope, laughter, a little nervousness (at the pier), and a lot of growing up. I recommend this to most kids that find themselves feeling a little out of place. Or for anyone who just wants a good read.

Great if you like funny stuff and fish - like me!
Some Day Angeline