Wombat Waiting by Applegate, Katherine

An Indie Next pick!

From the Newbery Award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The One and Only Ivan and Odder comes a stunning middle grade standalone novel-in-verse 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.

Author: Katherine Applegate
Publisher: Storytide
Published: 05/05/2026
Pages: 336
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 7.70h x 5.80w x 1.60d
ISBN: 9780063221178
Audience: Ages 9-12

Review Citation(s):
Horn Book Magazine 05/01/2026 pg. 81
Publishers Weekly 03/02/2026
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 04/01/2026
School Library Journal 04/01/2026 pg. 69
Kirkus Reviews 04/01/2026