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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
An expansive middle-grade novel about a year in the life of a 7th grader on Long Island in 1967-1968. The author weaves together a number of sublots about baseball and Vietnam, about rats and Shakespeare. There's a lot going on here, both in the comedy and tragedy departments (again, a Shakespearean mirror) and I think part of the beauty here is in how it all colors this year in the life. I had some nits, including at least a couple of disasters that one of the major characters () all but guarantees thanks to some baffling shortsightedness. I also felt like some arcs involving the narrator's father -- -- were left unresolved. Still, this is a really good story in the 4.5 star range that reflects both serious research and earnest, deliberate storytelling.
Spoiler
Mrs. BakerSpoiler
specifically, the fact that he repeatedly failed to show up places when he promised to
Very well done - I especially love Schmidt's storytelling narrative style in this book. His style makes this an easy and entertaining read!
This book had its funny parts, but overall I thought it was a sweet book about a boy and his teacher learning to respect and to like each other. There were also heavy elements of the social change and war going on in America in the 1960s.
I absolutely loved this book! The 7th grade narrator, Holling Hoodhood, had me hooked by the time I turned the first page. Set in 1967, the story reminded me a bit of the TV Show "The Wonder Years." Humor and touching moments were all intertwined with lessons from Shakespeare. If only every student had a Mrs. Baker in his/her life to watch over them...
If I didn't want to teach before reading this book, I would have after. Funny, endearing story about a boy fighting w/ his teacher, who is pushing him to succeed. Lots of growing up issues. It's also set in the late 60s, so good historical fiction (not a lot out there for this period). Middle school.
The first time I read this book was in middle school, and I loved it. I honestly think it did a lot to prime me to love and appreciate the works of Shakespeare—Holling's use of Shakespearean insults is what stood out in my mind whenever I thought of the book, along with his eventual appreciation for the plays. I think because I read this book then, I was able to pick up my mum's high school copy of Hamlet during the spring break of my sophomore year of high school—I ran out of things to read, and decided to give Shakespeare a go. Since then, my love for Shakespeare has only increased.
Thus, I am pleased to say that, at last, I have reread a book that did not disappoint the second time around. It was quite fun for me to travel back into my middle school mind and view the world through the lens of that confusing, crazy time all of us look back on with a slight sense of embarrassment. Holling is a likable, relatable character who is mixed up in some pretty absurd situations, and I enjoyed coming alongside him as he attempts to navigate the seventh grade in the late 1960s.
My critiques for this book are few; I love some of the positive messages in the book, and the characters are memorable and quirky. One annoyance for me, however, was that it seemed like there were only five students in Holling's class; aside from this main group, I don't think anyone else's name was mentioned once. There were also some names and events that could have been mentioned earlier, or themes that could have been better developed, but since this is a middle grade novel, I'll let it slide. Also, some of the Shakespeare analysis, especially with Hamlet, are way off, which was quite irksome to an English student such as myself.
The Wednesday Wars covers a broad range of topics in small pieces easy for younger audiences to digest. Some of these topics are: the Vietnam War and refugees; religious tolerance; political, social, and racial issues; literature; sports...The list could continue. Despite a few minor shortcomings, I still highly recommend this book, especially to middle grade readers.
Thus, I am pleased to say that, at last, I have reread a book that did not disappoint the second time around. It was quite fun for me to travel back into my middle school mind and view the world through the lens of that confusing, crazy time all of us look back on with a slight sense of embarrassment. Holling is a likable, relatable character who is mixed up in some pretty absurd situations, and I enjoyed coming alongside him as he attempts to navigate the seventh grade in the late 1960s.
My critiques for this book are few; I love some of the positive messages in the book, and the characters are memorable and quirky. One annoyance for me, however, was that it seemed like there were only five students in Holling's class; aside from this main group, I don't think anyone else's name was mentioned once. There were also some names and events that could have been mentioned earlier, or themes that could have been better developed, but since this is a middle grade novel, I'll let it slide. Also, some of the Shakespeare analysis, especially with Hamlet, are way off, which was quite irksome to an English student such as myself.
The Wednesday Wars covers a broad range of topics in small pieces easy for younger audiences to digest. Some of these topics are: the Vietnam War and refugees; religious tolerance; political, social, and racial issues; literature; sports...The list could continue. Despite a few minor shortcomings, I still highly recommend this book, especially to middle grade readers.
I enjoyed this quiet book about a boy who, because of the church he goes to, doesn't attend the Wednesday religious instructions like his classmates, leaving him the sole student with his teacher on those afternoons. He immediately thinks she hates him, and with the duties and chores he is assigned, it did seem like that. But over the course of the year, and with introducing Holling to the works of William Shakespeare, his opinion of his teacher changes and their relationship grows to one of mentor and mentee.
There are some very funny parts of this book. Basically anything with the rats, named of course after characters in Shakespeare, had me laughing out loud. I loved seeing how Holling took to the different plays and how the lessons from them influenced what was going on his life.
I loved Holling. I loved watching him grow in maturity and confidence because of his teacher. And Mrs. Baker. I'll admit initially, I was of the opinion that she was put out having to have Holling with her on those afternoons, but I also grew to love her. I loved the role she took with his life, compensating for the lack of a good father figure. You could see the impact of that throughout the book.
This will definitely be a book that I'll recommend to some of the young-readers in my life.
There are some very funny parts of this book. Basically anything with the rats, named of course after characters in Shakespeare, had me laughing out loud. I loved seeing how Holling took to the different plays and how the lessons from them influenced what was going on his life.
I loved Holling. I loved watching him grow in maturity and confidence because of his teacher. And Mrs. Baker. I'll admit initially, I was of the opinion that she was put out having to have Holling with her on those afternoons, but I also grew to love her. I loved the role she took with his life, compensating for the lack of a good father figure. You could see the impact of that throughout the book.
This will definitely be a book that I'll recommend to some of the young-readers in my life.
Love love love this book. I want to be Mrs. Baker--she is the perfect teacher. Nice coming-of-age story...if Holling Hoodhood (the protagonist) was older, I'd lobby to teach this instead of Catcher in the Rye. Way more hopeful but with similar themes. Loved it!
Such an enjoyable book. So many funny and touching parts. I'm glad I picked it up and gave it a chance.
I picked this book up after really enjoying "Okay for Now" also by Gary Schmidt. The two books include an overlap of characters. While I think I preferred the other story better, a nice read.