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Reviewed by David Jaggart for Readers' Favorite
Stories From Away by Christopher D. Wayland is a collection of short stories and poems aimed at young readers, highlighting key moments in childhood. It moves across schoolrooms, neighborhoods, and school projects, depicting kids as they navigate bullying, friendships, and their emotions. One story follows a group of students dealing with a relentless classroom bully. Another reflects on childhood games that transform everyday spaces into imaginative worlds. A separate story features a girl standing up when an important library book is removed by adults. There’s also a sharp, humorous tale about a student chasing online fame and losing control of her project. Together, these stories show how children think, react, and grow. Each tale explores how ordinary kids confront school stress, disappointments, and the need to stand up for themselves.
Christopher D. Wayland’s Stories From Away will most likely appeal to fans of R.J. Palacio's book, Wonder. What stands out the most is how well Wayland captures the way children speak, think, and explain their actions, even when those same actions are misguided. The stories are easy to follow while still trusting the reader to think deeply about the meaning behind them. Humor is used a lot in the book, especially during uncomfortable school situations, and it helps balance the more serious moments without softening them too much. The blend of realistic experiences and imaginative poetry keeps the collection fresh, thus avoiding repetition throughout the book. Adults in the stories are painted as imperfect but involved, as opposed to irrelevant and detached. Altogether, this collection is captivating, and I’m really glad I read it.
