Waylon! One Awesome Thing by Sara Pennypacker. Illustrated by Marla Frazee. Waylon series #1. 208 p. Disney Press, April, 2016. 9781484701522. (Review from arc courtesy of publisher.)
Waylon! One Awesome Thing is a super consolation prize for having no more Clementine books! While darling Clementine makes a couple of appearances, such as describing Waylon as the scienciest kid in the whole school, this is the Waylon show and what a fine show it is.
Waylon is a scientist. A good scientist is a good observer and Waylon notices that popular Arlo is "choosing teams." Waylon happens to get chosen for Arlo's team. This should please him. Trouble is, his two good friends did not and there's a rule about associating with anyone not on the "team." And what will happen if Arlo un-chooses him?
His sister is now a teenager, dressing all in black, insisting her name is Neon and rolling her eyes at everything family-related. He misses her.
To top everything off, Baxter Boylen moves back to town. He has a huge ropy scar on his face and looks like he needs a shave! Waylon is terrified!
What a terrific new series! It is so great to have a new beginning chapter book series that kids will love. The dialogue is spot on; the issues are very real and dealt with respectfully; and the illustrations are perfect. It's also nice to have an endearing main character who is interested in science.
Waylon has a game called OAT, or One Awesome Thing. This new series is One Awesome Takeoff and surely a must-purchase for school, public and classroom libraries.
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