Wombat Waiting
Katherine Applegate
Readers rate it 4.0 (2 on Hardcover)
- Published
- 2026
Content report card
What's inside
Violence
Fighting, weapons, death
Language
Swearing, crude humor
Sexual content
Romance intensity, nudity
LGBTQ+ themes
Presence of characters or themes
Scary or mature
Horror, trauma, heavy themes
Substance use
Alcohol, drugs, smoking
What it offers
Positive messages
Kindness, courage, honesty, resilience
Positive role models
Characters who model good judgment and growth
Educational value
History, science, culture, how the world works
A note for parents
This Katherine Applegate novel centers on hope and connection in the aftermath of community disaster, dealing thoughtfully with themes of loss, resilience, and compassion. While a devastating fire and its aftermath are central to the plot, the focus remains on emotional recovery and unexpected friendships rather than graphic descriptions. The story emphasizes Wombat's determination to find her person and the way a community comes together, offering age-appropriate lessons about empathy, belonging, and perseverance that align with Applegate's signature style.
Analyzed by AI · 1 hour ago
Parent age guide
Is “Wombat Waiting” right for your kid?
Ready from about age 8.
From about 7, okay with a grown-up nearby.
For younger readers
- Suggested for ages 8+.
Based on this book's content report card and typical guidance by age. You know your reader best.
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From the publisher
From the Newbery Award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The One and Only Ivan and Odder comes a stunning new middle grade standalone novel about compassion, resilience, and surprising friendships, following a dog named Wombat in the aftermath of a catastrophic fire. Wombat isn't actually a wombat--but w... From the Newbery Award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The One and Only Ivan and Odder comes a stunning new middle grade standalone novel about compassion, resilience, and surprising friendships, following a dog named Wombat in the aftermath of a catastrophic fire. Wombat isn't actually a wombat--but when the homeless dog is discovered, singed and ash-covered after a terrible fire destroys a community, someone tags her with the nickname and it sticks. Wombat is a "destiny dog." Something inside of her (she nicknames it "Voice') keeps telling her there's a special someone out there who is meant to be her person. Surrounded by a devastated town, Wombat takes up residence on bench near the makeshift community center, an old brick warehouse that, for the most part, survived the flames. A small part of the community center evacuation site has been repurposed for the local wildlife rehab sanctuary that burned down. All of the animals were spared, and the temporary quarters include an elderly fruit bat and a young Northern saw-whet owl. No matter what, Wombat refuses to move from her perch, despite the efforts of many humans. Clearly the dog is waiting for someone. But for whom? And what are the odds they survived? Fans of modern classics like Because of Winn-Dixie, Pax, and Katherine Applegate's own Crenshaw and Odder, and timeless tales like Charlotte's Web, will find a friend in Wombat and her story.
Shelved under
- Juvenile Fiction
- Animal fiction
- Dogs
- Social & Life Skills
ISBN 9780063221178 · Storytide