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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
An unbelievable year in the life of a 7th grade boy. I hesitated to label this as historical fiction, as the events are bordering on cartoonish-style fantasy. All of the adults, and most of the kids, are complete schmucks. Events randomly happen and the characters are improbably intertwined. CAUTION: If you are a member of PETA, or have an ounce of compassion for critters, don't read this book. I did not appreciate Schmidt's attempt to turn animal neglect and abuse into a joke. This was just offensive. I've had pet rats. They are smart, and loving, and funny. They even have their own day: April 4 is World Rat Day. So ppthhbbtt.
there were incredibly sweet moments in this book, and a most of the characters are really wonderfully developed and multi-faceted. but then there's holling's dad. why is he such a huge dick? there is no hint as to why his dad would be such a terrible father and all-around jerk-off except for one line about how his marriage may be falling apart (but really, that seems like his fault, too).
holling's pretty great, though.
holling's pretty great, though.
4.5 stars!! This book was wonderful. I loved the narrator. The story is about a 7th grade boy in 1967.
A heart warming story filled with so much charm. I really enjoyed it!
I don't remember how this got onto my to-read list, but I'm very glad it did. I'm also very pleased that I decided to listen to it on Audio. If reading I might have skimmed some of the descriptive passages, but listening to it meant that I got every word - and the descriptions are beautifully done, from the snow falling or the beauty of spring, to the expressions on people's faces, to moments of intense drama.
The story is about a boy in the 7th Grade (I guess that would make him around 12) and is set over the year 1967/68. Those of us who remember, or who have learnt some history, know that was the time of the Vietnam War, also when Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated, and when Bobby Kennedy was killed. The Beatles were a huge influence, and Flower Power was widespread among the youth. But for a boy not yet in his teens, it was still school life that consumed him. This is the opening sentence:
It would be interesting to hear what a young reader makes of Mrs Baker. We adults know that a 12-year-old's comprehension of adults is minimal and so we can smile at Holling's perceptions. We can smile at his embarrassment when he finds himself having to perform in Shakespeare wearing yellow tights (etc.), and laugh at his misadventures with the pet rats in the classroom, knowing all along that the way he views all these things will alter as he matures. And by the end of the story he has matured a lot, mostly due to Mrs Baker and Shakespeare.
The story is about a boy in the 7th Grade (I guess that would make him around 12) and is set over the year 1967/68. Those of us who remember, or who have learnt some history, know that was the time of the Vietnam War, also when Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated, and when Bobby Kennedy was killed. The Beatles were a huge influence, and Flower Power was widespread among the youth. But for a boy not yet in his teens, it was still school life that consumed him. This is the opening sentence:
Of all the kids in the Seventh Grade at Camillo Junior High, there was one that Mrs Baker hated with heat whiter than the sun - me!Poor Holling! And he couldn't complain about her to anyone because she was a member of an important family and Holling's father was an architect pitching ideas to others in that family, and so Holling was commanded to be the perfect student and do everything Mrs Baker said without question.
It would be interesting to hear what a young reader makes of Mrs Baker. We adults know that a 12-year-old's comprehension of adults is minimal and so we can smile at Holling's perceptions. We can smile at his embarrassment when he finds himself having to perform in Shakespeare wearing yellow tights (etc.), and laugh at his misadventures with the pet rats in the classroom, knowing all along that the way he views all these things will alter as he matures. And by the end of the story he has matured a lot, mostly due to Mrs Baker and Shakespeare.
This book was required reading for my rising 7th grader this summer, and after reading that the setting is 1967-68, I decided to read it as well. Definitely one of my better impromptu decisions. The story is of 7th grader Holling Hoodhood and the relationship he has with his teacher, Mrs. Baker -- who he is sure hates him. The development and growth of this relationship will make just about everyone want to be a teacher -- or, at the very least, remember the teacher that really connected with them individually.
That plot alone is worth the time, but Schmidt enriches the story further with elements of the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights movement, Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Shakespeare, and even baseball, as a background to the tales of middle school angst and coming of age. The book has a Wonder Years feel to it, and I highly recommend it for 6th grade and up.
That plot alone is worth the time, but Schmidt enriches the story further with elements of the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights movement, Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Shakespeare, and even baseball, as a background to the tales of middle school angst and coming of age. The book has a Wonder Years feel to it, and I highly recommend it for 6th grade and up.
I happened to read this along with Shakespeare Saved My Life. Would be great for parents and kids to read these books together and talk about influence of literature, etc.
Gabe and I have been listening to this. We really liked it! It was funny and had real life topics about history and things that are still happening in our country today, unfortunately
Catching up on middle grade readers. Loved this historical fiction of a time period that isn't a popular time period for youth fiction. Holling's growth in confidence and conviction and in relationships was a fun trajectory to read. The Shakespeare storyline connected the story beautifully.
