There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom Award-winning author by Louis Sachar (author)

Author/Illustrator

Louis Sachar

Louis is best known for the award-winning Holes, which has also been made into a major film.

More about Louis: “I was born in East Meadow, New York on March 20, 1954 and lived there until third grade. My dad worked on the 78th floor of the Empire State Building, and maybe that somehow inspired Wayside School, who knows?

I enjoyed school and was a good student, but it wasn’t until high school that I really became an avid reader. J.D. Salinger and Kurt Vonnegut were the authors who first inspired me. Some of my other favorite authors include E.L. Doctorow, Margaret Atwood, E.B White, Richard Price and Kazuo Ishiguro.

After high school, I attended Antioch College in Ohio. My father died during my first semester, and I returned to California to be near my mother.

I returned to college, this time to the University of California at Berkeley where I majored in Economics. On campus one day, I saw the unlikely sight of an elementary school girl handing out flyers. I took one from her. It said: “Help. We need teachers aides at our school. Earn three units of credit.” I thought it over and decided it was a pretty good deal.

Besides helping out in a classroom, I also became the Noontime Supervisor, or “Louis the Yard Teacher” as I was known to the kids. It became my favorite college class, and a life changing experience.

When I graduated 1n 1976 I decided to try to write a children’s book, which eventually became Sideways Stories From Wayside School. All the kids at Wayside School were based on the kids I knew at Hillside.

It took me about nine months to write the book. I wrote in the evenings. In the daytime I had a job at a sweater warehouse in Connecticut. After about a year, I was fired (my enthusiasm for sweaters was insufficient), and I decided to go to law school. Sideways Stories from Wayside School was accepted by a publisher during my first week at Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.

I finished law school, graduating in 1980, passed the bar exam (which was required to practice law) and then did part-time legal work as I continued to write children’s books. It wasn’t until 1989 that my books began selling well enough that I was finally able to stop practicing law and devote myself fully to writing.

My wife Carla was a counselor at an elementary school when I first met her. She was the inspiration for the counselor in There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom. We were married in 1985. Our daughter, Sherre, was born in 1987. We live in Austin, Texas along with our dog, Watson.”

Reviews

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What kids think

1. Lina
   on 20 November 2021

   I loved that the author gave Bradley a really imaginative brain. I know this because Bradley makes up lots of funny, quick-witted stories with his animal figurines. I enjoyed that the characters of Bradley and Claudia evolved as the story progressed. If you are planning on reading this book I think it’s for any age so DEFINITELY read it!

   5out of 5

2. mimi0909
   on 23 May 2017

   loved it so much you should definitely read it because it will leave you laughing in stitches . It’s extremely humorous NO#1!

   5out of 5

3. emerald234
   on 5 March 2016

   So funny!

   5out of 5

4. mujtiba
   on 4 October 2015

   i like it when jeff go’s to the girls bathroom it is so funny.

   5out of 5

5. Chlo1812xxx
   on 6 January 2015

   So far, this book is really moving and also has a large amount of humour too. I love both Carla and Bradley. I am reading this book at school (my friend is also) and we are both really enjoying it yet. I’m currently on chapter 34 and I really can’t wait to get to school each day to read on. So far, I think the book could potentially be my favourite ever. Anyone who is contemplating this book… Definitely READ IT!

   5out of 5

6. archaswiss2014
   on 12 September 2014

   I think this is an AMAZING book! It’s so funny and weird at the same time. I would definitely recommend this book for kids 9+.

   5out of 5

7. queen-of-epicness
   on 19 June 2014

   I’m REALLY loving this book. I’m currently reading it in school and we’ve just got a few chapters left. Personally, I think Carla has helped Bradley. I would totally recommend it to anyone. It is amazing! You will not regret it!!!

8. FelicityBooks
   on 21 March 2014

   The book has been touching. I love the way Louis Sachar made the part where Bradley doesn’t know what to do at a party. I now see the book is called it title because just for Jeff going into the bathroom made one little change which, then, made a huge change again. Wonderful author. Read all his books, Well done!

   5out of 5

9. loobyloulou123
   on 9 March 2014

   fantastic book

   5out of 5

10. Rumaitha12
    on 9 March 2014

    This book is really good and I found it really wierd nd funny.

11. alibaba4
    on 8 March 2014

    A great funny book

    5out of 5

12. zippy123
    on 7 March 2014

    I found There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom a very interesting read. I found it very funny and the start and laughed at most of the character Bradleys comments and how he responded to people trying to make friends with him.

13. wobblybob
    on 6 March 2014

    ... Not too keen on this book I’m afraid… Sorry if I’ve ofended anyone but not a book I’d recommend…

14. pumpkin51
    on 15 November 2013

    Just the cover wants to make me read this!!!!

    4out of 5

15. Alexander323
    on 11 November 2013

    OMG

    5out of 5

16. Poppingcandy
    on 23 October 2013

    I really love this book, Right from the start I loved it and until now I love it. It’s all life-changing stuff for Bradley! You should read it.

    5out of 5

17. pol09890
    on 29 May 2013

    No-one in the whole school likes Bradley. He sits at the back next to no-one. He picks on people and is a bully. Then he meets Clara, his helper. He does not like her at first but grows to like her. The end is very sad. I would recommend it to anyone aged ten and over.

18. jesjen
    on 21 May 2013

    An awesome book by an awesome author! All I can possibly say!!!!

19. MollyHousley
    on 19 April 2013

    I loved this book its so cool I read it with my class at school and it was funny when Jeff and Bradley walked into the girls bathroom!!!!!!!

20. PrincessLeyla
    on 18 March 2013

    I THINK THIS BOOK IS GREAT AND VERY EMOTIONAL. I ALSO THINK THIS BOOK IS A FUNNY BOOK ESPECIALLY WHEN BRADLY CHALKERS (CHICKEN CHALKERS) ASKED JEFF IF THEY COULD GO INTO THE GIRLS TOILET. CARLA, WHO IS THE SCHOOL COUNCILER HELP BRADLY CHANGES WAYS AND BRINGS FORWARD HIM A GREAT FUTURE AND JFF AND IT WAS GREAT FOR JEFF AND HIS GANG TO LET BRADLEY CHALKERS PLAY BASKET BALL WITH HIM.

    5out of 5

21. TheMileLongBookshelfBlog
    on 6 March 2013

    I liked this very much.

22. bouncybunny
    on 5 March 2013

    This book is amazing I really enjoyed reading this in class. Ienjoyed it so much I borrowedit from my teacher and took it home and read it again

23. axle
    on 28 February 2013

    This is such a funny book, it makes me laugh so much.

    5out of 5

24. 123gabriella456
    on 30 September 2012

    love this book

    5out of 5

25. flossyflo
    on 21 August 2012

    love the book it one of the funniest books you’ll ever read so bug it it is worth every penny

26. slattery40
    on 18 May 2012

    My couisn told me this book is wrong in so many ways

27. book72
    on 4 March 2012

    i got this book at home and i think it is realy great and one of my favourtie books that a read all of the time

    5out of 5

28. Flissy22
    on 1 March 2012

    i loved this book when my teacher read it to me.

29. clubpenguin85
    on 29 February 2012

    “Give me a dollar or I’ll spit on you.” That’s Bradley Chalker for you. He’s the biggest, nastiest kid in school: the liar, the one who picks fights, the one with “behaviour problems.” No one likes him – except Carla, the new school counsellor. She thinks Bradley is sensitive and generous, and that he could change – if he dared try. From the award-winning author of Holes, this is the exceptional story of an unexceptional boy whom everyone has branded a loser. Told with a winning lightness of touch, it explores the power of faith and second chances with humour and compassion – a must for any child, and for anyone who has survived childhood.

    5out of 5

30. angel1234heart1
    on 7 February 2012

    i love this book and iam reading it at my school this is the seconde time i read this book :)

    5out of 5

31. lili78
    on 16 January 2012

    i’ve been reading it at school.haha oh how it makess me laugh i love the characters espeially bradley chalker although i wish i had the book i think i read it over and over again if i had the book i give it a thumbs up : 0)

    5out of 5

32. flossy1998
    on 4 December 2011

    Sachar done an amazing book. Although I have read this novel in Primary School, I forgot the plot,I really enjoyed reading this book it is funny at times, but the plot was very unique I think the overall message was we can do anything if we believe in ourselves,I recommend this book to everyone it is truly amazing well done Sachar.

    5out of 5

33. ned2328
    on 27 October 2011

    Great book i read it at least once a year. I’d reccomend it to anyone who’s struggling with bullying or making friends.

34. miniminz10
    on 20 September 2011

    This is so funny i love this book but its sad when Jeff fell out with Bradley.

    5out of 5

35. makenzie
    on 9 March 2011

    I liked reading this book because when you read it it made everything seam so realistic the way Louis described and encountered everything. I think this book is one of the best i have ever read. Jacqueline Wilson is my favourite author, but Louis Sachar is my secondfavourite. Then Cathy Cassidy.

    3out of 5