Episode 97: Sideways Stories from Wayside School

Sideways Stories from Wayside School

Every once in a while, Alli has to share what she *really* thinks is going to be an unpopular opinion on the podcast. Well, this is one of those times. Without any nostalgic attachment to Louis Sachar’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School, she’s not quite sure how to feel about it… but you’ll have to tune in for all the details! On this episode, you’ll hear Alli and her guest Katie Cragwall discuss their favorite things about the book’s format/structure, the way it shows its age with respect to name-calling, the extent to which the author was “in on the joke” in writing these stories, and how the book flies in the face of their rule-following natures!

Katie is one of the founders of The Bookly Club, an online book club that’s open to all. Follow The Bookly Club on Instagram (@thebooklyclub) and Twitter (@thebooklyclub).

LISTEN TO THE WALK TWO MOONS EPISODE HERE, FEAT. KATIE’S FELLOW BOOKLY CLUB FOUNDER!

LISTEN TO THE HOLES EPISODE HERE!

LISTEN TO THE THERE’S A BOY IN THE GIRLS’ BATHROOM EPISODE HERE!

CHECK OUT KATIE’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb

A Discovery of Witches: A Novel by Deborah Harkness

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

MORE READING:

“The Absurd Joy of Sideways Stories From Wayside School” (The Atlantic, 2016)

“Louis Sachar, The Children’s Book Author Who Introduced Me to Style” (The New Yorker, 2017)

“Louis Sachar’s Wayside School Bell Will Ring Again” (Publishers Weekly, 2019)

“Sideways Stories from Wayside School: A Grown-up Look at Louis Sachar’s Classic Silly Stories” (Bustle, 2014)

“The Most Horrifying Moments From Sideways Stories from Wayside School” (The Toast, 2014)

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**Please note that the Amazon links above are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links. Please do not feel inclined to purchase unless you are excited to add these books to your TBR list!**