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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
Truly one of the best novels for young people ever. Schmidt does not shy away from tough stuff like the Vietnam War, inattentive parents, and Shakespeare as means of growth for the main character. Many surprises here and a wonderful ending, showing real growth and deepening of relationships. I am so happy I read this one--totally uplifting and real.
reliable narrator (for a 7th grader) who does not share a character's name until a change has occurred and they become important to him.
Astonished at how great a book this was. Full of humor, heart, joy, truth.
Poignant, purposeful and sometimes hilarious...The Wednesday Wars is the kind of book that transcends generations. It makes you hope that everyone gets a Mrs. Baker in their life at some point. It makes you want to be a better person, and dare to make a difference. Holling Hoodhood is a character that is relatable, true to himself and and wise beyond his years. I felt so invested in these characters and I kind of wish I could read more about their lives. ..
Holling Hoodhood is a seventh grader who lives in a town where on Wednesday, half the students go to Catholic school and half go to Jewish school. He is left behind with his teacher because he is presbyterian. Throughout his Wednesdays with his teacher Mrs. Baker, Holing learns Shakespeare, how to run cross country and countless life lessons.
I like that this is a little bit of historical fiction without being heavy on the history side. It does talk about the Vietnam war and about the fears and opinions of the people, but it isn't too heavy handed that a young person wouldn't understand. I appreciate that there was a kind of theme of community taking over when the parents weren't around. Not that Holling was abused or anything by his parents, but you definitely see a lack of support. You can see how teachers, students, student's parents and siblings all can be a support system to help in deficit of parents.
I like that this is a little bit of historical fiction without being heavy on the history side. It does talk about the Vietnam war and about the fears and opinions of the people, but it isn't too heavy handed that a young person wouldn't understand. I appreciate that there was a kind of theme of community taking over when the parents weren't around. Not that Holling was abused or anything by his parents, but you definitely see a lack of support. You can see how teachers, students, student's parents and siblings all can be a support system to help in deficit of parents.
Great middle school read. It was a fun book that incorporates current events from the 60s. Good read.
Add this to the list of books that I wouldn't have enjoyed half as much as a kid...but loved as an adult!
Newbery Honor Book
2010 Rebecca Caudill Award Nominee
Grades 6-10
Holling Hoodhood is a character not unlike Greg of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" in that he finds himself negotiating the challenges of middle school, including bullying, girls, and teachers who seem to hate him. What is different is the serious backdrop: The Vietnam War. Holling finds himself through Shakespeare, cross country, and the tragedy of war with the help of the strict and caring teacher Mrs. Baker. Schmidt examines the gray area between heroes and villains of all kinds through characters that include a Vietnamese refugee, a hardened lunch lady, Holling's power-hungry father, two pet rats, and numerous Shakespearean characters. Kids will love the exaggerated mishaps that plague Holling, and cry at the comedy and tragedy of his story.
2010 Rebecca Caudill Award Nominee
Grades 6-10
Holling Hoodhood is a character not unlike Greg of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" in that he finds himself negotiating the challenges of middle school, including bullying, girls, and teachers who seem to hate him. What is different is the serious backdrop: The Vietnam War. Holling finds himself through Shakespeare, cross country, and the tragedy of war with the help of the strict and caring teacher Mrs. Baker. Schmidt examines the gray area between heroes and villains of all kinds through characters that include a Vietnamese refugee, a hardened lunch lady, Holling's power-hungry father, two pet rats, and numerous Shakespearean characters. Kids will love the exaggerated mishaps that plague Holling, and cry at the comedy and tragedy of his story.
This book started off slowly but once I got to know the characters better, it took off. Gary Schmidt does well with his young adult books set in the late 1960s/early 1970s.
Holling Hoodhood is a tad more introspective and observant than I would expect of a boy in the 7th grade, but he is precocious and charming and the author is forgiven for inserting an adult level of maturity and insight on him. I loved this book's ability to transport me to a time before I was alive to experience what it would be like to be a WASP child growing up during the Vietnam War. I tend to prefer books that show lots of character development, and this does just that. It also provides enough depth for adult readers to enjoy the humor of a seventh-grader characterizing the adults around him.