The Cloud of Doom
The Cloud of Doom is symbolic of the ills of the world according to author Louis Sachar, including things like the election of Donald Trump in 2016, global warming, and his mother's battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Playground
The playground at Wayside school is symbolic of childhood innocence, naivete, and exuberance.
Zany Actions by Kids
A common motif throughout Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom is the zany actions that many of the kids do to have fun.
Sachar's Feelings
Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom is an allegory for author Louis Sachar's feelings surrounding a number of recent events.
The Plague of Childhood Depression
Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom is an allegory for the plague of childhood depression that has swept the United States and the rest of the world.