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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
I loved it. This is me GUSHING! Set in 1967 during the Vietnam War, it captured all the complex, nostalgic feelings of middle school. It was tender and full of humor, but also handled the deeper issues of the time period with care. It explored friendships, crushes, sibling relationships, embarrassment, bullies and more. I loved so many things about this book, but the best part was the relationship between inspirational-teacher Mrs. Baker and Holling.
I would recommend it for any adult and the older end of middle grade readers, ages 11-12.
FOUND: I put this on my TBR 4 years ago- March 2016 after hearing about it on Episode 10 of What Should I Read Next. Patting myself on the back for finally reading it while also giving myself a noogie for not reading it sooner because it was downright fabulous.
I would recommend it for any adult and the older end of middle grade readers, ages 11-12.
FOUND: I put this on my TBR 4 years ago- March 2016 after hearing about it on Episode 10 of What Should I Read Next. Patting myself on the back for finally reading it while also giving myself a noogie for not reading it sooner because it was downright fabulous.
Shaking and crying, Mickey Mantle would never be homophobic
Terrific coming of age novel. Looking forward to the sequel.
The Wednesday Wars is another hidden gem in this year’s Lovelace nominees. It is the story of 7th grader Holling Hoodhood. The story takes place in the late 1960′s, allowing an atmosphere of racial and political change to provide the backdrop for Holling’s personal struggle to find his own way through growing up.
The “Wednesday Wars” of the title refers to Wednesday afternoons at school when the Catholic children leave school early to attend catechism classes at the church and the Jewish children are excused to attend Hebrew school at the local temple. Holling is Presbyterian and as such he is the only student to remain in the classroom on Wednesday afternnoon–requiring his teacher, Mrs. Baker, to remain as well. Holling is convinced that it is for this reason that Mrs. Baker hates him. He even goes so far as to believe she has enlisted the help of some 8th grade boys to facilitate his demise.
As the school year progresses Holling begins to realize (along with the reader) that there is much more to Mrs. Baker than he expected. She has a remarkable history and life outside the confines of the classroom. These gradual revelations shock Holling and cause him to question some of his previous assumptions.
When Mrs. Baker begins to read Shakespeare with him on their Wednesday afternoons Holling is convinced this is part of her ‘I hate Holling’ campaign but discovers he likes some of Shakespeare’s stories. He begins to realize Shakespeare’s work can provide him with some startling insight into many aspects of his own life. This realization is subtle and interwoven with the events of Holling’s story, thereby making it believeable for the reader.
The author is able to speak in a quiet and powerful voice about racism and injustice as Holling’s family members, teachers and fellow students are affected in various ways by the ongoing Vietnam war. Holling’s observations of the kindness, injustice, tragedy and joy around him, coupled with the way in which he compares and contrasts these observations with Shakespeare’s characters and language allow the reader to do the same, reflecting on his or her own life situation.
I am especially touched by the relationship that grows between Holling and Mrs. Baker–the gift that it is to both of them. (This could be because I am a teacher and I am reading the book as an adult; I am interested to hear thoughts from younger readers on this.)
This book has a wealth of insightful opportunities to offer both young and older readers. I found it to be ultimately uplifting and hopeful. Gary Schmidt has given his readers a wonderful handhold in finding their own personal courage to become the person each of us is meant to be in our lifetime. I absolutely recommend this book for middle grade through adult readers!
The “Wednesday Wars” of the title refers to Wednesday afternoons at school when the Catholic children leave school early to attend catechism classes at the church and the Jewish children are excused to attend Hebrew school at the local temple. Holling is Presbyterian and as such he is the only student to remain in the classroom on Wednesday afternnoon–requiring his teacher, Mrs. Baker, to remain as well. Holling is convinced that it is for this reason that Mrs. Baker hates him. He even goes so far as to believe she has enlisted the help of some 8th grade boys to facilitate his demise.
As the school year progresses Holling begins to realize (along with the reader) that there is much more to Mrs. Baker than he expected. She has a remarkable history and life outside the confines of the classroom. These gradual revelations shock Holling and cause him to question some of his previous assumptions.
When Mrs. Baker begins to read Shakespeare with him on their Wednesday afternoons Holling is convinced this is part of her ‘I hate Holling’ campaign but discovers he likes some of Shakespeare’s stories. He begins to realize Shakespeare’s work can provide him with some startling insight into many aspects of his own life. This realization is subtle and interwoven with the events of Holling’s story, thereby making it believeable for the reader.
The author is able to speak in a quiet and powerful voice about racism and injustice as Holling’s family members, teachers and fellow students are affected in various ways by the ongoing Vietnam war. Holling’s observations of the kindness, injustice, tragedy and joy around him, coupled with the way in which he compares and contrasts these observations with Shakespeare’s characters and language allow the reader to do the same, reflecting on his or her own life situation.
I am especially touched by the relationship that grows between Holling and Mrs. Baker–the gift that it is to both of them. (This could be because I am a teacher and I am reading the book as an adult; I am interested to hear thoughts from younger readers on this.)
This book has a wealth of insightful opportunities to offer both young and older readers. I found it to be ultimately uplifting and hopeful. Gary Schmidt has given his readers a wonderful handhold in finding their own personal courage to become the person each of us is meant to be in our lifetime. I absolutely recommend this book for middle grade through adult readers!
This is a fun, easy to read book. It's fun to have the perspective of a seventh grader and remember how mortifying the smallest things would seem at that age. It's a nice story.
THe Wednesday wars is a book about Holling Hoodhood in the later 1960's. Holling just entered the seventh grade and on wednesday, half his class who are Catholic go to Catechism, and the other half of the class go to Hebrew school. Holling is a Presbyterian and has to stay at school with his teacher Mrs. Baker in whom he thinks "hates his guts". During the school year Mrs. Baker makes Holling read Shakespearian plays. Throughout the story there are bigger things going on in history, Bobby Kennedy, martin Luther King Jr., and The Vietnam war. All these things Holling has to deal with whether he likes it or not.
I really enjoyed this book because it is smart, funny, interesting, and historic. "Meryl Lee. Can the world buy such a jewel?" I loved it when Holling said that, because I love that play and I love the way he was able to connect certain events with Shakespeare, and make sense. Gary D. Schmidt who is the author, writes very well, and is genius with connecting the story plot together to make it interesting for all ages to enjoy.
I really enjoyed this book because it is smart, funny, interesting, and historic. "Meryl Lee. Can the world buy such a jewel?" I loved it when Holling said that, because I love that play and I love the way he was able to connect certain events with Shakespeare, and make sense. Gary D. Schmidt who is the author, writes very well, and is genius with connecting the story plot together to make it interesting for all ages to enjoy.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
It's always fantastic to come across young adult fiction that isn't patronizing. Schmidt nails the teenage perspective and offers up so many smart, heartbreaking, hilarious moments. My chest hurt through most of this book. But in a good way.
(I also love pretty much any joke about Presbyterians. It's cool though, I am one.)
(I also love pretty much any joke about Presbyterians. It's cool though, I am one.)
A fun read! I love when book are written from the perspective of a kid, and they nail it. This did just that. I read it with my boys, 10 and 7. They were confused by all the Shakespeare, I won't lie, but asked lots of questions about the Vietnam War. This led to us researching it together a little, as I too, did not know about all the details. They didn't even cringe at the(very few) kissing parts! My only criticism is the overuse the author had with the one word sentence "Really." It was too much. Really.
This is the first young adult book I've read in a long time. Although I teach high school, I could relate to many of the middle school issues.....the teacher rules especially. I found myself laughing out loud several times while I read this book.
genre - historical fiction
genre - historical fiction