Sideways Stories from Wayside School is composed of thirty separate, but interconnected stories that involve the kids and teachers who learn and work in the eponymous Wayside School.
"Mrs. Jewls" introduces readers to Mrs. Jewls, who takes over for Mr. Gorf after he is eaten. When Mrs. Jewl walks into her classroom on her first day, she is perplexed and thinks that her students have to be monkeys because they are so cute. Eventually, after her students convince her that they are not monkeys, her demeanor changes and she begins to teach normally, much to the chagrin of her students, who liked the way she was teaching when she thought that they were monkeys.
"Calvin" tells the story of Calvin, who is instructed by Mrs. Jewls to deliver a note that doesn't exist to Miss Zarves (who also doesn't exist) on the nineteenth floor, which likewise does not exist. He asks Louis, one of his classmates, about the situation and he tells him that he shouldn't be delivering any notes to teachers. Calvin returns to the thirtieth floor and is thanked by Mrs. Jewls for his work, despite the fact that he hadn't done anything (and couldn't have done anything anyway).
"Myron" introduces readers to Myron, who is running for and ultimately becomes class president. However, Myron later learns that his only job as class president is to turn the lights on and off when people enter and exit the room. He is unsatisfied with his role, and asks if there is more to the role. However, the story ends with Myron's demotion after he arrives to class late.
"Bebe" is the fastest drawer in school. Calvin is her partner and takes him a very long time to draw anything. He would have everything waiting for her to draw in return she would draw pictures for him. They were a great team and one day while working together they drew over 300 pictures in one hour. The teacher told them that art is about quality, not the quantity.
Readers will laugh and enjoy reading this one. my granddaughter watched the movie over and over. It is a good book for 4th graders to read and write a essay on if they can write one without laughing.
