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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
Hollis Hood-hood narrates the ups and downs of his rather dramatic seventh grade year, set in 1968 on Long Island. Bonus points for including lots of Shakespeare, negative points for story lines involving rats. It's a pretty funny, enjoyable book for middle grade readers.
I can't believe how good this book was!! It has been on my to-read shelf for years, I and didn't even remember how it got there. I'm not sure what motivated me to pick it up, but I am so happy I did. Loved it! It was written in 2007, but takes place in 1967 in Long Island. It is historical fiction, coming-of-age. It is about family dynamics, Shakespeare, standardized testing, student/teacher relations, Vietnam, long distance running and so much more. Can't recommend it enough.
I read this book for school, and it was OK. Not the greatest book I've ever read, but still pretty good. I liked how the main character, Holling was always cracking a joke here and there. I don't have much more to say really though. I recommend this book to you guys, but only to the people that want to read a children's book about a kid trying to find his way in life...
This youth read was an absolute gem that ages well even if you first enjoy it as an adult reader. The Wednesday Wars follows Holling Hoodhood, an impressionable seventh grader who is convinced that his teacher, Mrs. Baker, is bent on ruining his life. He has to spend Wednesday afternoons in one-on-one sessions with her because he does not attend the Catholic religious education programs at that time like the rest of his classmates. Holling faces trouble with girls, a disgruntled older teenage sister and a father who is never happy nor pays enough attention to his son. Mrs. Baker slowly builds a relationship with Holling through reading Shakespeare. The storyline follows the hilarious adventures of the world through the eyes of a 13-year old boy (from baseball heroes to embarrassing onstage debuts in yellow tights). This was a charming read and one of my favorites from last year.
There's books that make it on to my favorites shelf, and then there's the books that tear you open and change you on the inside but my favorites shelf is already the highest rating I give so I can't really do anymore for those books besides put them on it and then try to write a review that accurately expresses how much I liked them.
I think there's a lot of poorly written "child in a war era" stories and there's a lot of poorly written coming-of-age stories out there and somehow this book manages to be in both of those genres and yet be uplifting and probably the best example I'm going to be able to think of for a while of either of those genres. Maybe this is why people keep trying to write them, because specimens like this one exist.
I think there's a lot of poorly written "child in a war era" stories and there's a lot of poorly written coming-of-age stories out there and somehow this book manages to be in both of those genres and yet be uplifting and probably the best example I'm going to be able to think of for a while of either of those genres. Maybe this is why people keep trying to write them, because specimens like this one exist.
3.5 stars, it was a fun read. Made me want to go back and reread all the Shakespeare plays they discussed.
I wasn't sure if I would like this book after the first chapter or two, but I ended up loving it. While it is a Newberry winner (honor maybe), it is more for the older crowd of that audience, I'd say at least 10 and up. It's set in the time period of the mid 60's and deals with the whole issue of Vietnam, flower children and the politics of the time, which are all an integral part of the story. I don't think younger kids would get it. I also don't think they would get all of the Shakespeare that is an important part of the story as well. I loved how the author tied all of that together to make a wonderful coming of age story that was fun to read.
Well-written and compelling with a colloquial style reminiscent of Percy Jackson.
“I suddenly knew what Ariel had felt. The whole world had just opened out in front on me, and I could go wherever I wished and just be whatever I wanted. Absolutely free.
I could decide my own happy ending for myself.”
I could never describe it to you, but Gray D. Schmidt is such an amazing writer.
The Wednesday Wars is about love, loss, and finding yourself. Whether you have to go to California to find yourself or not. It is a phenomenal book, good for middle schoolers and beyond. I myself read it again and again.
reread August 2023
I could decide my own happy ending for myself.”
I could never describe it to you, but Gray D. Schmidt is such an amazing writer.
The Wednesday Wars is about love, loss, and finding yourself. Whether you have to go to California to find yourself or not. It is a phenomenal book, good for middle schoolers and beyond. I myself read it again and again.
reread August 2023