Families who loved Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School by Louis Sachar often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child starts viewing math as a chore or expresses frustration with rigid, rule-bound logic. It is the perfect antidote for the 'when am I ever going to use this' phase, transforming arithmetic into a series of playful, absurdist puzzles. While framed as a collection of stories from the beloved Wayside School, the book is actually a functional workbook of brain teasers that require lateral thinking and persistence. As children navigate the wacky challenges of Mrs. Jewls's class, they build genuine cognitive resilience. The emotional core of the book is the joy of discovery and the pride of solving a truly difficult problem. It is ideally suited for children ages 8 to 12 who enjoy a mix of silly humor and serious mental gymnastics. By choosing this book, you are giving your child a chance to see themselves as a clever problem solver while laughing at the delightful nonsense of Louis Sachar's iconic world.
