Waylon!: One Awesome Thing

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

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. (Apr.)