Bill Wallace

  • 36

    Catalog books

  • 35

    Works

  • 1981 to 2009

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

Bill Wallace writes adventures that lean into messy humor and kid-sized courage. In The GREAT ESCAPE: UPCHUCK AND THE ROTTENWILLY, he centers a fast-moving, 112-page tale where gross-out antics and loyal friendship push a ragged group of kids into one chaotic, determined getaway.

Wallace's story balances slapstick moments with clear stakes, using brisk pacing and vivid scenes to keep readers engaged. The novel’s blend of silly setbacks and steadfast teamwork highlights how ordinary children can engineer clever plans and find unexpected bravery in the face of trouble.

Best Place To Start

The Dog Who Thought He Was Santa

Holiday House • 2007 • standard commitment

It stands out because it asks for less time than many of the longer volumes on this page.

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Humorous children's adventures • Relatable kid protagonists • Fast-paced, illustrated chapter books

Genres and themes: Middle-grade humor • Friendship and mischief • Light-hearted trouble and resolution

Who this author is best for: Good for early middle-grade readers who enjoy silly plots, quick chapters, and laugh-out-loud moments.

Start with the listed Upchuck title to sample Wallace's tone and look for similar short, illustrated chapter books.

Top Books To Start With

  1. The Dog Who Thought He Was Santa

    Holiday House • 2007 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2007 • 184 pages.

  2. The GREAT ESCAPE: UPCHUCK AND THE ROTTENWILLY (Upchuck and the Rotten Willy)

    Simon & Schuster • 1999 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1999 • 112 pages.

  3. The FINAL FREEDOM

    Simon & Schuster • 1997 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1997 • 162 pages.

  4. True Friends

    Simon & Schuster • 1996 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1996 • 169 pages.

  5. Blackwater Swamp: Blackwater Swamp

    Simon & Schuster • 1995 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1995 • 184 pages.

  6. Never Say Quit: Never Say Quit

    Simon & Schuster • 1994 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1994 • 192 pages.

  7. The Biggest Klutz in Fifth Grade

    Simon & Schuster • 1994 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1994 • 148 pages.

  8. A Dog Called Kitty

    Simon & Schuster • 1992 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1992 • 176 pages.

  9. Final Freedom

    Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books • 2009 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2009 • 176 pages.

  10. Danger on Panther Peak

    Aladdin • 2008 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2008 • 176 pages.

How The Picks Compare

  • The GREAT ESCAPE: UPCHUCK AND THE ROTTENWILLY (Upchuck and the Rotten Willy) is the easier short commitment, while The Dog Who Thought He Was Santa asks for more reading time up front.
  • The GREAT ESCAPE: UPCHUCK AND THE ROTTENWILLY (Upchuck and the Rotten Willy) gives you an earlier look at this author’s shelf, while The Dog Who Thought He Was Santa leans later in the catalog.
  • The FINAL FREEDOM is also useful if you want a different publishing lane from The Dog Who Thought He Was Santa.

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