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Wayside School #4
Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom
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.
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!
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!
192 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2020
446 people are currently reading
6856 people want to read
About the author
Louis Sachar
97 books4,577 followersLouis Sachar (pronounced Sacker), born March 20, 1954, is an American author of children's books.
Louis was born in East Meadow, New York, in 1954. When he was nine, he moved to Tustin, California. He went to college at the University of California at Berkeley and graduated in 1976, as an economics major. The next year, he wrote his first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School .
He was working at a sweater warehouse during the day and wrote at night. Almost a year later, he was fired from the job. He decided to go to law school. He attended Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.
His first book was published while he was in law school. He graduated in 1980. For the next eight years he worked part-time as a lawyer and continued to try to write children's books. Then his books started selling well enough so that he was able to quit practicing law. His wife's name is Carla. When he first met her, she was a counselor at an elementary school. She was the inspiration behind the counselor in There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom . He was married in 1985. Hisdaughter, Sherre, was born in 1987.
Louis was born in East Meadow, New York, in 1954. When he was nine, he moved to Tustin, California. He went to college at the University of California at Berkeley and graduated in 1976, as an economics major. The next year, he wrote his first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School .
He was working at a sweater warehouse during the day and wrote at night. Almost a year later, he was fired from the job. He decided to go to law school. He attended Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.
His first book was published while he was in law school. He graduated in 1980. For the next eight years he worked part-time as a lawyer and continued to try to write children's books. Then his books started selling well enough so that he was able to quit practicing law. His wife's name is Carla. When he first met her, she was a counselor at an elementary school. She was the inspiration behind the counselor in There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom . He was married in 1985. Hisdaughter, Sherre, was born in 1987.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 623 reviews
March 13, 2020
having just realized in 2018 that there was even a THIRD wayside school book and reading it for my “missed MG sequels project,” this fourth book in the series (excluding those two weird math books—are they even part of the series?), published FORTY YEARS after book one, is a welcome return to a world i don’t feel i’ve been away from for very long.
if you’ve read the other ones, you know what to expect—it’s the same kind of sillydark blend of absurd humor and creepiness—wordplay and crazy mix-em-ups and VERY LOUD NOISES. and paper clips. hoard them clips, friends! here, children will collect toenail clippings for homework, be hypnotized out of their unpleasant personalities, friendships and recipes will be tested and the CLOUD OF DOOM will approach, with a lesson for us all.
living in this world of ours, under our own encroaching cloud of doom, heed these words! keep reading and writing (keep mathing if that’s your thing), and scream in the dark (thru your surgical masks) to get it all out. it’s gonna be okay. now go wash your hands and read A SHORT CHAPTER ABOUT A LONG BOOK. although i suppose you should read MRS. SURLAW first.
*************************************
A NEW WAYSIDE SCHOOL BOOK?? FOR MEEEEEE?
come to my blog!
if you’ve read the other ones, you know what to expect—it’s the same kind of sillydark blend of absurd humor and creepiness—wordplay and crazy mix-em-ups and VERY LOUD NOISES. and paper clips. hoard them clips, friends! here, children will collect toenail clippings for homework, be hypnotized out of their unpleasant personalities, friendships and recipes will be tested and the CLOUD OF DOOM will approach, with a lesson for us all.
”The Cloud of Doom is getting bigger every day!” Myron exclaimed. “What does it matter if we can spell?”
“So we can read and write,” Mrs. Jewls replied.
“What’s the point of reading?” asked Leslie.
“What’s the point of writing?” asked Jason
“What[sic] the point of arithmetic?” asked Benjamin.
“There is no point!” Myron grumpled. He slammed his pencil down hard on his desk. The point broke off of it.
“I understand you’re scared and upset,” said Mrs. Jewls. “But what’s the point of quitting? We can all just sit around and grumple, or we can try to do our best, cloud or no cloud.”
…
“Someday, the Cloud of Doom will be gone,” said Mrs. Jewls. “And the world will be a much better place, even better that before the cloud. Colors will be more colorful. Music will be more musical. Even Miss Mush’s food will taste good. The bigger the storm, the brighter the rainbow.”
At that moment, a crack of thunder shook the classroom, and then the lights went out.
The children screamed. They weren’t scared. They just liked screaming in the dark.
living in this world of ours, under our own encroaching cloud of doom, heed these words! keep reading and writing (keep mathing if that’s your thing), and scream in the dark (thru your surgical masks) to get it all out. it’s gonna be okay. now go wash your hands and read A SHORT CHAPTER ABOUT A LONG BOOK. although i suppose you should read MRS. SURLAW first.
*************************************
A NEW WAYSIDE SCHOOL BOOK?? FOR MEEEEEE?
come to my blog!
January 20, 2020
The author's note of this book made me laugh. It's that funny, start to finish.
If you're worried that this book won't capture the spirit of the first three, or that it will feel outdated, rest assured on both counts. Wayside School has not been "updated" for 2020 - there's not a smartphone in sight, for instance - yet it still feels fresh. The kids are instantly recognizable and the jokes stick the landing.
Each of the books in the series has some sort of plot that loosely ties all its stories together. This one's villain is not an evil teacher but a sort of existential dread, the titular, ominously-named storm heading steadily toward the school, blotting out the sunlight, inducing bouts of anxiety and grumpiness. Vague as it is - no one seems to know exactly what the Cloud of Doom will do, just that the possibilities are endless and they're all bad - it's hard not to read it as a reflection of today's (figurative) climate. The kids may not understand exactly what this storm is, but they know enough to feel apprehensive. But at the end of the day they're okay, not because the storm never comes but because, like all kids, Mrs. Jewls' students are surprisingly resilient, innovative, and often maddeningly stubborn.
The master of of the Grade School Gothic subgenre has returned. Long live Wayside. Two dead rats way up.
If you're worried that this book won't capture the spirit of the first three, or that it will feel outdated, rest assured on both counts. Wayside School has not been "updated" for 2020 - there's not a smartphone in sight, for instance - yet it still feels fresh. The kids are instantly recognizable and the jokes stick the landing.
Each of the books in the series has some sort of plot that loosely ties all its stories together. This one's villain is not an evil teacher but a sort of existential dread, the titular, ominously-named storm heading steadily toward the school, blotting out the sunlight, inducing bouts of anxiety and grumpiness. Vague as it is - no one seems to know exactly what the Cloud of Doom will do, just that the possibilities are endless and they're all bad - it's hard not to read it as a reflection of today's (figurative) climate. The kids may not understand exactly what this storm is, but they know enough to feel apprehensive. But at the end of the day they're okay, not because the storm never comes but because, like all kids, Mrs. Jewls' students are surprisingly resilient, innovative, and often maddeningly stubborn.
The master of of the Grade School Gothic subgenre has returned. Long live Wayside. Two dead rats way up.
April 7, 2020
It's so cool that it's been more than 40 years since Louis Sachar published the very first installment of the Wayside School series. And 25 years since the 3rd book was written! I vividly remember my teacher reading these aloud to us when I was in Elementary School, and I just had to buy one of them at the Book Fair. It was just as fun and silly as all the others! =) I imagine I will be buying these all in a boxed set one day when my kids get old enough.
May 10, 2021
This was a delightful trip through time back to my childhood. I loved these books as a kid and when I heard a fourth book was written I knew I would have to read it even if I have long since moved past Middle Grade novels. And let me be clear, I regret nothing. As I read I even found the characters family - I haven’t read these books in close to 3 decades and the characters still felt familiar. That is some strong and powerful magic. I love how creepiness and humor intertwine seamlessly. I think my favorite highlighted character this time around was Jason and his 999 page book he read.
Want to read
March 10, 2020.!!!!!!!!
One of my favorite series of all time is getting a new addition!!!!!!
One of my favorite series of all time is getting a new addition!!!!!!
March 12, 2020
Over forty years after Sideways Stories From Wayside School was released, Louis Sachar releases the fourth in the series. I personally only read the first two in my childhood so it was a pleasant surprise to realize I had more to read from the Wayside universe.
While I don't think this one was quite as good as the others, this was a pretty decent book. Some of the chapters were exceptionally short or ended on an abrupt note but I did enjoy myself. I think there could have been more explanation about what the cloud of doom was and a little more wrap-up at the end but that seems to be the style of Sachar. Also, Mrs. Jewls didn't seem quite like herself in this whole book, even before the cloud of doom showed up. Still not in love with the more cartoonish illustrations since I grew up with more realistic drawings of these characters. I did like Mr. Pickell/Pickle. I enjoyed reading about his hypnotism ways and how the children acted afterwards.
This book is still quite entertaining and can easily see kids getting a kick out of this latest installment.
While I don't think this one was quite as good as the others, this was a pretty decent book. Some of the chapters were exceptionally short or ended on an abrupt note but I did enjoy myself. I think there could have been more explanation about what the cloud of doom was and a little more wrap-up at the end but that seems to be the style of Sachar. Also, Mrs. Jewls didn't seem quite like herself in this whole book, even before the cloud of doom showed up. Still not in love with the more cartoonish illustrations since I grew up with more realistic drawings of these characters. I did like Mr. Pickell/Pickle. I enjoyed reading about his hypnotism ways and how the children acted afterwards.
This book is still quite entertaining and can easily see kids getting a kick out of this latest installment.
September 21, 2020
I recently re-read the first Wayside School book and I was like, wow this holds up and still feels basically relevant?? So a new one just felt like stepping back into a pair of comfortable slippers. There was no effort made to "modernize" this because it didn't need it. Also wow a book about a Cloud of Doom coming out in March 2020........prescient.
March 8, 2020
I remember the first time I read a Wayside School story. I was in the second grade and the book 'Wayside School is Falling Down' had already been out, but it was being showcased in a Schoolastic Book ad that they give you at school. I told my mother I wanted it and then she kindly purchased it for me.
The book was like the humor/language of The Goonies, where the kids had this snarky edge but acting like kids. Yet there was this strange mystical / supernatural edge. It was during the book that I also realized that there was references to things that had happened that I realized there was a first book that had come out. I quickly found that and read it too. Then when the third book came out I read that as well.
So imagine my surprise when I discovered a new book was being released. I quickly snatched it up and read it...
I honestly want to give this book three stars but I'm giving it a 4 because the characters are there, it just feels... short and incomplete.
This is apparently the longest of the books but the text is SUPER HUGE. Did Louis Sachar think the kids of today don't have a strong attention span to read? Why are the chapters so short? Why is there little dialogue? Why are the scenes so exempt from character development? What happened to the things we learned in book three?
Louis' girlfriend shows up briefly for a cameo (remember the substitute teacher with the extra ear?), remember Mrs. Zarves and the class that never was? (they show up, and so does that note that Mrs. Jewls meant for Myron to give to her does too), there is mention of Mrs. Gorf but nothing beyond that.
The book has an overall arc, but it is hindered by the lack of writing and or development. When I finished it I felt happy but also upset that it was like edited version of the books from my childhood.
So if you're nostalgic like me, read the book and enjoy the characters but if you're looking for a satisfying book 4 you may feel cheated.
The book was like the humor/language of The Goonies, where the kids had this snarky edge but acting like kids. Yet there was this strange mystical / supernatural edge. It was during the book that I also realized that there was references to things that had happened that I realized there was a first book that had come out. I quickly found that and read it too. Then when the third book came out I read that as well.
So imagine my surprise when I discovered a new book was being released. I quickly snatched it up and read it...
I honestly want to give this book three stars but I'm giving it a 4 because the characters are there, it just feels... short and incomplete.
This is apparently the longest of the books but the text is SUPER HUGE. Did Louis Sachar think the kids of today don't have a strong attention span to read? Why are the chapters so short? Why is there little dialogue? Why are the scenes so exempt from character development? What happened to the things we learned in book three?
Louis' girlfriend shows up briefly for a cameo (remember the substitute teacher with the extra ear?), remember Mrs. Zarves and the class that never was? (they show up, and so does that note that Mrs. Jewls meant for Myron to give to her does too), there is mention of Mrs. Gorf but nothing beyond that.
The book has an overall arc, but it is hindered by the lack of writing and or development. When I finished it I felt happy but also upset that it was like edited version of the books from my childhood.
So if you're nostalgic like me, read the book and enjoy the characters but if you're looking for a satisfying book 4 you may feel cheated.
June 30, 2020
Just as fun as the previous three! Even though the first Wayside book was published 40 years ago (!), if I didn't know any better I'd assume this was published along with the original ones. I'm only giving this 4 stars because it felt simpler and more rushed than the other three and the characters didn't get as much development. I still really, really enjoyed it though and its well worth reading if you enjoy the series.
June 10, 2021
I was so excited to discover there was a new Wayside book, and one perfect for a pandemic! (Though there is no virus in this book, just a Cloud of Doom - same thing, right?) it was hilarious and brought back so many memories of the first books in this series. Clever, and strung together so well. I just wish we knew more about the man with the attaché…
December 17, 2022
I've never read this series...but I'm definitely going to go back and read the first 3. I loved the readability - and the quirkiness - and the message. I gave a book talk on the book and the joy expressed by the young girl who checked it out was priceless (plus, she also got There's a Boy in the Girls Bathroom) - I love inspiring readers to try new authors!
September 14, 2024
It's a really good book. My favorite character was Terrence. Terrence is funny.
November 12, 2020
As usual, people are being overly generous with their reviews of this book because they love the prequels and the author, so I have to take a star off my review to balance things out.
Let me be clear: I absolutely love the first three books. They've been among my favorite children's books of all time, and they've made me laugh out loud over the years since I was in grade school 25 years ago. And Louis Sachar is a fantastic author. But this book just does not feel the same. I smiled maybe twice throughout the whole book, but overall, whatever spark Louis Sachar had when he wrote the original ones decades ago is just gone.
The wackiness seems forced, the "fairy tale" aspect that the original ones used as a way to guide the plot doesn't work, and the characters just don't feel the same at all—their personalities seem different and unfamiliar. Not quite to the point of feeling like some other author's fanfiction of Wayside School, but definitely close.
I hoped to feel a sense of familiarity and hilarity when reading this, but I mostly just felt disappointment and a desire to rekindle that feeling by reading the other books over again.
Let me be clear: I absolutely love the first three books. They've been among my favorite children's books of all time, and they've made me laugh out loud over the years since I was in grade school 25 years ago. And Louis Sachar is a fantastic author. But this book just does not feel the same. I smiled maybe twice throughout the whole book, but overall, whatever spark Louis Sachar had when he wrote the original ones decades ago is just gone.
The wackiness seems forced, the "fairy tale" aspect that the original ones used as a way to guide the plot doesn't work, and the characters just don't feel the same at all—their personalities seem different and unfamiliar. Not quite to the point of feeling like some other author's fanfiction of Wayside School, but definitely close.
I hoped to feel a sense of familiarity and hilarity when reading this, but I mostly just felt disappointment and a desire to rekindle that feeling by reading the other books over again.
October 15, 2021
My whole family loves the original three Wayside School books, so we were excited to learn that there was a new one! We listened to the whole audiobook in one go on a road trip and it was a perfect choice. Louis Sachar reads it himself. If you enjoyed the previous books, this is more of the same and it's utterly delightful.
Want to read
February 7, 2020A NEW WAYSIDE SCHOOL BOOK?!?!?! I am so here for this!
(...and Mr. Kidswatter is a mugworm griblick.)
(...and Mr. Kidswatter is a mugworm griblick.)
February 24, 2020
Oh the nostalgia! Just as quirky as I remember!
May 8, 2020
I loved this! It's a welcome update from the Wayside School books of the 80s and 90s; the humor is less mean-spirited than the earlier books, but the silliness and absurdity are still there (as are the beloved characters). I particularly enjoyed Kathy's newfound (if temporary) niceness; it was fun to have an "explanation" for her behavior. I also appreciated the diversity demonstrated by the illustrations.
The Cloud of Doom and its effect on the kids (and the teachers) resonated with me in this wacky time of COVID-19, and I think other readers will have a similar experience.
The Cloud of Doom and its effect on the kids (and the teachers) resonated with me in this wacky time of COVID-19, and I think other readers will have a similar experience.
May 10, 2025
It was so wonderful to be back at Wayside!
I read this to my nieces, and one declared she liked this one even better than the first book in the series (her favorite).
I loved all the references to the previous books: goozack, Mrs. Gorf, Miss Zarves, even Louis the yard teacher saying that he had some money because he'd written a few books about Wayside School.
We all hope he writes a few more!
Edit 5/10/25: I can't believe it's already been 5 years since I last read this! It's still cute. I love Wayside. 😊
I read this to my nieces, and one declared she liked this one even better than the first book in the series (her favorite).
I loved all the references to the previous books: goozack, Mrs. Gorf, Miss Zarves, even Louis the yard teacher saying that he had some money because he'd written a few books about Wayside School.
We all hope he writes a few more!
Edit 5/10/25: I can't believe it's already been 5 years since I last read this! It's still cute. I love Wayside. 😊
July 11, 2020
4.5
I saved the Book Keepers Strong hold with this book!!! Fifth book for Believathon!!!
I loved this book. I love this series and this one is definitely my favorite!!! Highly recommend. Also my first audio book!
I saved the Book Keepers Strong hold with this book!!! Fifth book for Believathon!!!
I loved this book. I love this series and this one is definitely my favorite!!! Highly recommend. Also my first audio book!
January 7, 2023
This book is funny, weird, quirky, and I absolutely loved it! It is filled with short stories so you don’t get bored and is just a really fun book to read.
August 17, 2023
I was shocked/surprised/excited to discover (after my reread of the first 3 books) that there was a fourth Wayside book! Even though it was written 40 years after the first book (I had no idea they were so old!), it didn't feel like the stories had lost any of their charm. It basically felt like catching up with a friend you haven't seen in years, but as though it's just like old times. It was as quick/short as the others, but what do you expect for a children's series? I was just excited to hear new stories from the 30th story!
August 17, 2020
I treasure that there is a new book in this series, including the author's note as well as a certain punchline 40 years in the making.
September 27, 2021
My daughter and I took our time through this one. Mainly because she’s starting to pick out the words and beat me to sentences. But still an entertaining one for us both. Ultra strange, but in a good way.
March 16, 2020
These books are so funny!
June 29, 2020
This book was just as great as the rest of them. So nostalgic and fun. I was tempted to dock a star because of all the nail clippings (ew) but I had to remind myself that I am probably not the target audience anymore.
PS: The Cloud of Doom plot was weirdly prescient with regard to the current state of the world. There are some real gems about stress, friendship, and resilience in here.
PS: The Cloud of Doom plot was weirdly prescient with regard to the current state of the world. There are some real gems about stress, friendship, and resilience in here.
December 29, 2019
I am SO thrilled that this book exists. I read the first ones many times, not long after book 3 came out, and waited patiently for the next book. And waited. And waited. My ten-year-old self is screaming, screaming, screaming at this unexpected bounty.
And -- the best part -- it's wonderful. Sachar could have written this in between his other books and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. To someone who hasn't read them in twenty years, it is exactly what I expected. More silly stories, a buffoon principal, ultimate tests, and even an amazing new dish from Miss Mush. All the same students and teachers are back, and even some of their previous adventures are referenced.
I can't wait to start sharing this book with the next generation of Wayside School fans -- or the last one!
And -- the best part -- it's wonderful. Sachar could have written this in between his other books and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. To someone who hasn't read them in twenty years, it is exactly what I expected. More silly stories, a buffoon principal, ultimate tests, and even an amazing new dish from Miss Mush. All the same students and teachers are back, and even some of their previous adventures are referenced.
I can't wait to start sharing this book with the next generation of Wayside School fans -- or the last one!
November 4, 2019
I audibly gasped when I pulled this ARC out of its box. Then I showed it to multiple coworkers of varying ages, who also audibly gasped.
Wayside School's reputation is unmatched among anyone who grew up or had children in the past 30 years, and we are so excited to handsell this! It was so much fun seeing all our old friends again (Miss Zarves! Miss Mush! Dr. Pickle!), and Sachar hasn't lost his classic touch of these hilarious stories that all come together in the end.
Wayside School's reputation is unmatched among anyone who grew up or had children in the past 30 years, and we are so excited to handsell this! It was so much fun seeing all our old friends again (Miss Zarves! Miss Mush! Dr. Pickle!), and Sachar hasn't lost his classic touch of these hilarious stories that all come together in the end.
June 30, 2020
I remember reading and rereading the original Wayside School books, and this new one just doesn't compare. It tries to be silly, but it's simply not as funny or enjoyable. I would hand this to readers who love absurd books and don't mind if the logic or cohesive storytelling takes a backseat to the humor.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for this review.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for this review.
February 8, 2021
In the introduction Sachar jokingly suggests we wait forty years and then read this book. That's actually pretty good advice. When I read (a different edition of) this book for the first time I gave it four stars. Now having just completed a re-read of the entire series, I didn't like it quite so much. There are still some great chapters, but some elements that I either liked or didn't notice before aren't as satisfying as the culmination of a larger epic.
April 12, 2020
I reread the entire series in honor of this book coming out. I have to say, it does well at continuing the series. All the characters are unique and funny, and I love how little details from one story will surface later in others. Like goozack.
Louis Sachar is one of the most hilarious authors I’ve ever read, if not the most.
Louis Sachar is one of the most hilarious authors I’ve ever read, if not the most.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 623 reviews