49 pages 1 hour read

Louis Sachar

Sideways Stories from Wayside School

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1978

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar consists of absurd, humorous vignettes centered around the quirky students and teachers of a school mistakenly built 30 stories high. Each self-contained chapter features a quirky character from Mrs. Jewls's class facing a unique and often illogical problem, blending magical realism with themes of problem-solving and learning.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar is lauded for its humor, quirky characters, and imaginative setting, making it a hit with children and nostalgic adults. Some critics, however, find its episodic structure disjointed and the absurdity overwhelming. Overall, it's praised for its creativity and playful tone, though its unconventional style may not suit everyone.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Sideways Stories from Wayside School?

A reader who would enjoy Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar is typically aged 8-12 and loves humorous, imaginative, and whimsical storytelling. Fans of Roald Dahl's Matilda and Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid will delight in the quirky characters and absurd situations in this offbeat school setting.

RecommendedReading Age

8-12years

Lexile Level

530L

Book Details

Genre

Humor

Magical Realism

Children's Literature

Topics

Education

Themes

Society: Community