Waylon! One Awesome Thing

February 29, 2016
Pennypacker shifts attention from Clementine to one of the popular character’s fourth-grade classmates, science-loving Waylon Zakowski, in this first book in a spin-off series. Through Waylon’s rational perspective, Pennypacker offers smart insights into the frustration of realizing that life isn’t entirely in one’s control—with his classmates dividing themselves into “teams” and his older sister embracing a new Goth identity, Waylon feels like he’s living his own version of the Big Bang (“Everything in his universe was exploding away in different directions”). Waylon’s insecurities, bigheartedness, and awe of the world at large should easily endear him to readers. Art not seen by PW. Ages 6–8. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

January 15, 2016
Fourth-grader Waylon Zakowski is struggling to navigate change. Most immediately, he needs to figure out how to deal with charismatic Arlo, who seems determined to splinter the formerly cohesive class into "things." To further complicate his life, his 14-year-old sister, Charlotte, is now calling herself Neon and has gone goth. His parents seem unable to confront her, leaving him to fill the new gap in his previously loving family. Waylon is a scientist with a lot of bright but unusual ideas. As he carefully considers--as a good scientist must--the mostly wonderful world around him, he develops insights: he must become an isthmus, standing in the middle to keep the peace in school and at home. His point of view is nicely captured through his thoughtful third-person voice--authentically peppered with scientific trivia--and Frazee's frequent drawings (only a few of which were available for review). Unexpected bits of magic add depth and an aching tenderness, as when Neon steals into Waylon's room to play a game called OAT--One Awesome Thing--to help support her discouraged brother, later revealing that she hasn't really changed so much. Waylon is a blond white boy, Arlo is a dreadlocked dark-skinned boy, and judging by the names, their fourth-grade Boston-area class is a diverse one. An upbeat celebration of lively imagination, friendship, family, community, and the exuberance of childhood. (Fiction. 7-11)

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Starred review from January 1, 2016

Gr 2-5-The creative team behind the "Clementine" books (Hyperion) launch a new series starring Waylon, Clementine's science-obsessed classmate. His universe is exploding in a very personal "Big Bang." Popular kid Arlo has divided all the fourth-grade boys into rival teams, which bums out Waylon, who prefers collaboration over competition. And his older sister Charlotte, aka Neon, has gone goth. When Neon reveals that it's just an act to keep both their parents and school cliques at a distance, Waylon responds, "Oh wow! Batesian mimicry!" New kid in school Baxter helps Waylon solve the rival teams problem when they concoct a plan to free Dumpster Eddy, a local shelter dog whose time is dwindling. In a rollicking conclusion, a group of kids defy team lines-even Arlo joins in-and work together on the canine caper. Pennypacker draws readers in quickly. Waylon's conflict with Arlo is established in the first chapter, and much of the action takes place during the high points of any kid's school day-lunch and recess. Waylon's parents are refreshingly stable yet slightly quirky characters, and Neon is intriguing enough to merit her own series. In Pennypacker's skillful hands, Waylon is an appealing everykid whose passion for science just might spark readers' curiosity as he contemplates ideas from angstroms to alien hand syndrome. VERDICT A winning, welcome new series for chapter book readers.-Marybeth Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from December 15, 2015
Grades 2-4 *Starred Review* Waylon, a science-obsessed boy with a good heart, initially feels troubled when a charismatic classmate divides all the boys into two competing teams, separating friends and creating discord. Worse, he doesn't assign Waylon to either team. Meanwhile, Baxter Boylen, a student who left last fall and was rumored to have spent time in prison, returns to their third-grade classroom looking bigger, older, and tougher than everand on a class visit to the police station, the officers know him suspiciously well. But when Baxter reaches out for help, Waylon knows exactly how to respond. Soon they are planning an unusual jailbreak, while unexpectedly bringing their classmates back together again. (Clementine fans will be happy to find her in Waylon's class.) Pennypacker is at her best here, creating vivid characters and showing the subtly shifting connections between them. Waylon emerges as a quirky, sympathetic individual who understands that his family and friends are fundamental to his happiness. The subplot involving his gone-goth 14-year-old sister is an unexpected pleasure, but the groundswell of goodwill culminating in the climactic scene will have the greatest impact. Alternately laugh-aloud funny and melt-your-heart tender, this illustrated chapter book is a great read-aloud choice and a memorable find for independent readers.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Pennypacker's Clementine series is a beloved mainstay, and this offshoot brings the same level of charm and insight.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)