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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
Holling Hoodhood's starting 7th grade and while his Jewish classmates go to Hebrew School and his Catholic classmates go to Catechism once a week, Holling is alone with his teacher, Mrs. Baker, every Wednesday. Holling must navigate 7th grade, his weekly sessions with Mrs. Baker, a dysfunctional family life, bullies, and the political turmoil caused by the Vietnam War. Throughout the year he has many opportunities to grow and learn, and by the end, he has good friends, a sweet relationship with his teacher, a familial love for his sister, and a strong idea of who he wants to be.
Holling is such an endearing character-he has flaws, but he is so likable and earnest. The story pacing was perfect: ranging from tender to heart-wrenching to hilarious. And Mrs. Baker (along with Mrs. Bigio and Mrs. Sidman) is an absolute hero. The historical events were incredibly depicted (as were the emotional responses), and I felt like I was really there. I did think it was a little bit of a slow start, but that's my only critique.
Holling is such an endearing character-he has flaws, but he is so likable and earnest. The story pacing was perfect: ranging from tender to heart-wrenching to hilarious. And Mrs. Baker (along with Mrs. Bigio and Mrs. Sidman) is an absolute hero. The historical events were incredibly depicted (as were the emotional responses), and I felt like I was really there. I did think it was a little bit of a slow start, but that's my only critique.
A very powerful and moving story, especially for a "children's" book. I really enjoyed reading the month-by-month account of a boy's 7th grade year with the Vietnam War and the turbulence of the 1960s as a backdrop. As an added bonus - it was written by a Calvin prof and the dedication is to someone we know!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The first half is filled mostly with humor and middle school shenanigans, but offers occasionally poignant moments. The plot subtly builds up, and by the end delivers one profound scene after another. The story avoids becoming overly dramatic, but provides for some touching life lessons. I felt reminiscent for the tv show, "The Wonder Years" as I read. You see many parallels with the father-daughter relationship in particular. It doesn't feel like a coming of age story until the very end.
Schmidt reminds us that realizing our love for someone usually requires the possibility of losing them. Falling out of love, in real life, happens little by little and by choice. We may feel like fortune's fools, and sometimes it seems as if "life is governed by slings and arrows of outrageous fortune." Life has sad moments that cover us with powerlessness, but in the end, we choose our own endings: comedy or tragedy. "A comedy isn't about being funny...A comedy is about characters who dare to know that they may choose a happy ending after all."
Shakespeare teaches us all of this, and Schmidt does a great job bringing that wisdom to a younger audience.
Schmidt reminds us that realizing our love for someone usually requires the possibility of losing them. Falling out of love, in real life, happens little by little and by choice. We may feel like fortune's fools, and sometimes it seems as if "life is governed by slings and arrows of outrageous fortune." Life has sad moments that cover us with powerlessness, but in the end, we choose our own endings: comedy or tragedy. "A comedy isn't about being funny...A comedy is about characters who dare to know that they may choose a happy ending after all."
Shakespeare teaches us all of this, and Schmidt does a great job bringing that wisdom to a younger audience.
DNF
Listened to a few chapters. Skipped ahead to a different disk. Found this book to be incredibly boring.
Listened to a few chapters. Skipped ahead to a different disk. Found this book to be incredibly boring.
I really, really liked this book. The character development was brilliant, the story was real and poignant, and the book was altogether much more than I expected; in truth, I really didn't have any expectations before reading, which is sometimes a very good thing.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I loved the voice of the main character in this book. He made me laugh out loud! Another one of my favorites.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
I love how the author did not shy away from tough topics while keeping them middle-school appropriate and injected humor and hope throughout the whole book. My boys and I will read more from this author.
So many elements in this book!! The cover doesn't do it justice.