Sashimi and the Field Trip of Doom
Mr. Bookworm did his own review of Sashimi 2 (AKA SASHIMI AND THE FIELD TRIP OF DOOM) and he referred to Sashimi as a chaos engine. I would have to agree. Maybe he’s a chaos magnet even. But the journey with him is never boring.
Dan Santat doubles down on the humor and, yes, the chaos in this second book in the series. Sashimi goes on his first field trip and is buddy partnered with Chloe. When he gets sent to sit out during the field trip, he mistakenly gets on the wrong school bus back to school.
When Sashimi gets kicked off the wrong school bus, there’s a town alert to find him. Joey—Sashimi’s BFF and the only one who knows the truth about Sashimi—needs to find him first. Add in Marco and Chloe and you get a gang of lovable and relatable misfit friends. (And, yes, every middle schooler is a misfit.)
Packed with several “learning” pages—I’m not sure why I put that in quotes because you actually learn a lot—Santat manages to make the second book even better than the first. Who doesn’t want to learn about funny-smelling foods and trash pandas? And, Chloe, who is a big fan of possible mayhem, gore, and diseases is an emo reader’s ideal representation. Santat manages to write various characters we all can connect with, all without making them tropes or stereotypes. Add in his signature humor and a felted character dream sequence and you’re definitely going to be entertained.
My only issue with Sashimi and the Field Trip of Doom—and it’s a BIG one—is that he dares to insult Jane Austen. Rude, Santat, rude. She’s my favorite and there’s room for both Elizabeth Bennet AND Sashimi in books. :D
The second Sashimi book is out on September 15, 2026. But if you haven’t read the first one, what are you waiting for? There are six books in the works so far, join in at the get-go because this series is sure to be a big hit. Full of humor and heart, a fun early middle grade graphic novel that also deals with navigating making new friends, cryptids, potty humor, and yes, some learning along the way. But only the fun kind.
*** Note that I am reviewing an Advanced Reader Copy. But can’t wait to get a physical book of our own!
