The Why-Why's Gone Bye-Bye

Trubble Town #2

by Stephan Pastis

From the author of the Pearls Before Swine comic strip and New York Times bestselling Timmy Failure series comes the second book in a laugh-out-loud, heartwarming, full-color graphic novel series about a quirky town—perfect for readers of all ages, and just right for young readers starting to read longer books!

Just when you thought things could not get any wackier in Trubble Town, the adult residents are abducted by aliens, leaving the town in the hands of all the kids. What could possibly go wrong…besides everything?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Humor, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Comics, Graphic Novels Comics

288 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2022

About the author

Stephan Pastis was born in 1968 and raised in San Marino, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1989 with a degree in political science. Although he had always wanted to be a syndicated cartoonist, Pastis realized that the odds of syndication were slim, so he entered UCLA Law School in 1990 and became an attorney instead. He practiced law in the San Francisco Bay area from 1993 to 2002. While an attorney, he began submitting various comic strip concepts to all of the syndicates, and, like virtually all beginning cartoonists, got his fair share of rejection slips. Then, in 1997, he began drawing Pearls Before Swine, which he submitted to the syndicates in mid-1999. In December, 1999, he signed a contract with United.
Pearls Before Swine debuted in newspapers in January, 2002, and Pastis left his law practice in August of that year. Pearls Before Swine was nominated in 2003, 2004 and 2007 as "Best Newspaper Comic Strip" by the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) and won the award in 2004 and 2007. Pastis lives with his family in Northern California.

Reviews

[Tony Laplume · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephan Pastis’s second satire, in which he further explains how everything is so messed up, or so everyone loves to say. It occurred to me, finally, that these books are pretty much what everyone expected Dave Barry to be doing once he started writing fiction, which also means that probably part of the reason I like Stephan Pastis so much is that he reminds me of Dave Barry. Which is a very good thing. Anyway, I don’t know why Barnes & Noble (and others?) file this in the kids section. These are basically extended versions of the kinds of Sunday strips Pastis has done periodically for years. Just file this with the rest of the Pearls Before Swine material.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Why-Why's Gone Bye-Bye welcomes you to the twisted world of Stephan Pastis. Aimed at levels from early readers to adults of all ages, Pastis’ humor is both obvious and subtle. Adults will love the 23 Squidoo news story about aliens used as an excuse for botched plans and the definition of the prologue. Children will enjoy reading about Milo, the last orphan left in the Trubble Orphanage for Troubled Tots and how he is forced to go to school. My favorites are the chapter titles “Won” and “1.5 Because Chapters Shouldn’t Have To Be Whole Numbers” all the way to “Chapter Last For Real in which We Are Not Kidding Around.” Pastis has been delighting readers since the first Pearls before Swine and I want more. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing and Stephan Pastis for this ARC.

[D.T.]

Dnf. Stopped at pg 68

Points for being wacky and quirky, but I do not mesh with the humor. The plot is both slow-moving and fast-paced at the same time. It’s a terribly long stream of ridiculous consciousness that never goes anywhere which is its appeal but not for me. Of course, I acknowledge I’m an adult and that kids may think differently.

[Camille Caliman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sequel did not disappoint! I loved every bit of it and of course the ending makes me so curious about what's next. I loved Wendy in the first book, and I loved Milo in this one. They make a wonderful duo and I loved Ollie to pieces. *spoiler* I hope we'll be able to see what they do with Trubble.

[Michael Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comic pane style children’s book, a funny story and some interesting characters and turn of events along the way. Have enjoyed reading a chapter a night over the last little while with my young kids.

[Victoria Whipple · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think Pastis's humor is for everyone, but it delights those who are fans. This silly, frolicking adventure doesn't necessarily make a lot of sense, but it's a fun read with an underdog protagonist worth rooting for. gr. 3-7

[Brenten Gilbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

RATING: 3.DOLPHIN3 STARS

The rating makes sense if you read the book, maybe. This is a fun diversion. I enjoy the wit and humor of Pastis and this is a pretty quick read so not too much of an investment.

I should probably read the first one now.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly, wacky, and absurd. A plot that is mostly a run-on string of non-sequiturs and wordplay, each more outrageous than the last, that nonetheless amuses, entertains, and manages to tell a story. A most excellent diversion.

[Daan Kerckenaere · Rating 5 out of 5]

het is een leuk boek en dit boek is een stripboek vind jij stripboeken leuk?

[MJ Belo · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book was very funny. I love books where random things just happen, making it hilarious.
Honestly, I could have done without aliens, though.

[Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF - Ch. For (page 44)

Solid Pastis brand humor with wordplay and current events relevance. What was missing? Characters that I wanted to connect/engage with their story which was a difference from his Pearls Before Swine comics series.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesomely stupid. Needs more puns. (Be sure to check the chapter numbers.)

[Karen Hsu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is freaking hilarious.
It stayed hilarious throughout. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!