Oddballs dances delightfully between the realms of laughter and memoir, chronicling Sleator's peculiar childhood. Surrounded by a family of charmingly unconventional individuals, his upbringing was anything but ordinary. From the whimsical parents who took years to name their nameless child to the brother who staged a toilet rebellion until age five, each story brims with eccentricity. Sleator's youthful escapades, like being left in the city with no map and the thrill of finding his way back home, are not only humorous but sometimes touchingly profound. A reading experience that is irresistibly captivating, Oddballs serves as a window into the wittiness and creativity that punctuate Sleator's stories.

For those already enchanted by Sleator's work, this book offers a delightful peek into the origins of his comedic genius and the fantastical themes that permeate his novels. Newcomers will find themselves swept up in an engaging narrative, thoroughly entertained by the tapestry of tales woven through Sleator's vivid storytelling.