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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
This book came highly recommended by a bunch of people, teachers and students alike.
I was kind of disappointed. But I’m not beat up about it. Let me explain.
The Wednesday Wars is about seventh grader Holling Hoodhood, who is forced to spend his Wednesday afternoons with Mrs. Baker. He is convinced Mrs. Baker hates him, as she first makes him do some menial cleaning, then later starts to make him read Shakespeare. The novel follows his year of seventh grade, his friendships, his family, his education: each chapter is a month of the year. My understanding is that it’s semi-autobiographical of Gary Schmidt. It takes place in 1967-68. The Vietnam War is very present in the book, although not a main plot line.
At first, I had a really hard time with the book. It seemed very scatter-brained, and I couldn’t figure out whether Holling (it’s written in first person) was a reliable narrator or not. Plus, so much of it just seemed incredibly unrealistic, despite the fact that it’s autobiographical. About halfway through, I was really tempted to put it down, and then I realized something. I am not the intended audience of this book. It’s written for boys, ages 10-14. I am not that audience. It was around that point that the book started to get better. I think it was partially that realization, but it’s also that the second half of the book is just more readable, and relatable. The people around Holling start to become allies rather than enemies.
I liked the discussion of Shakespeare. Holling reads a play a month, and these plays start to affect the way he sees his life and the people around him. This also offers a seventh grader perspective on the Bard, a perspective I thought was pretty valuable. I also liked how the relationships developed over the course of the book: with Meryl Lee, with his sister, and with Mrs. Baker. What I didn’t like was the seeming implausibility. I know, I know, it’s autobiographical. But something about the way Schmidt writes it makes it seem unlikely. I also hated the parental figures of the book. They were distant, and mean, and self-centered, and totally unavailable to their kids. I don’t know how intentional that was, but it made me consistently mad.
I would recommend it to any pre-teen boy. It’s most definitely a “boy book.” Would I recommend it to my friends and colleagues? Probably not. It’s something I’ll keep on my shelf at school and give to the right student.
Warnings:
Drugs: None.
Sex: None.
Language: None. There is some implied swearing, but the words do not appear on the page.
Violence: None.
I was kind of disappointed. But I’m not beat up about it. Let me explain.
The Wednesday Wars is about seventh grader Holling Hoodhood, who is forced to spend his Wednesday afternoons with Mrs. Baker. He is convinced Mrs. Baker hates him, as she first makes him do some menial cleaning, then later starts to make him read Shakespeare. The novel follows his year of seventh grade, his friendships, his family, his education: each chapter is a month of the year. My understanding is that it’s semi-autobiographical of Gary Schmidt. It takes place in 1967-68. The Vietnam War is very present in the book, although not a main plot line.
At first, I had a really hard time with the book. It seemed very scatter-brained, and I couldn’t figure out whether Holling (it’s written in first person) was a reliable narrator or not. Plus, so much of it just seemed incredibly unrealistic, despite the fact that it’s autobiographical. About halfway through, I was really tempted to put it down, and then I realized something. I am not the intended audience of this book. It’s written for boys, ages 10-14. I am not that audience. It was around that point that the book started to get better. I think it was partially that realization, but it’s also that the second half of the book is just more readable, and relatable. The people around Holling start to become allies rather than enemies.
I liked the discussion of Shakespeare. Holling reads a play a month, and these plays start to affect the way he sees his life and the people around him. This also offers a seventh grader perspective on the Bard, a perspective I thought was pretty valuable. I also liked how the relationships developed over the course of the book: with Meryl Lee, with his sister, and with Mrs. Baker. What I didn’t like was the seeming implausibility. I know, I know, it’s autobiographical. But something about the way Schmidt writes it makes it seem unlikely. I also hated the parental figures of the book. They were distant, and mean, and self-centered, and totally unavailable to their kids. I don’t know how intentional that was, but it made me consistently mad.
I would recommend it to any pre-teen boy. It’s most definitely a “boy book.” Would I recommend it to my friends and colleagues? Probably not. It’s something I’ll keep on my shelf at school and give to the right student.
Warnings:
Drugs: None.
Sex: None.
Language: None. There is some implied swearing, but the words do not appear on the page.
Violence: None.
One of my absolute favorite books and authors. He’s so good at covering serious adult topics while still making the story childlike and often hilarious. This was, and remains, one of my all time favorites.
My son suggested this book after he read it in ELA and it was wonderful. Great coming of age book that takes place during the Vietnam War, both funny and poignant. I would highly recommend it, I would have loved this book when I was 13 too.
Our protagonist finds himself stuck every Wednesday afternoon with a teacher whom he is convinced hates his guts. He lives in the perfect house with a socially climbing father, a distracted mother, and a sister who is trying to figure out how to rebel. Over the school year, he'll deal with yellow tights, architecture, cream puffs, scabby rats, camping, the Vietnam War, and Mickey Mantle with humor, bravery, and a sprinkling of curses lifted from Shakespeare. A very funny, very moving book.
This is a very good book. I wonder, though, if it isn't aimed more at adults feeling nostalgic than kids.
This is a very good book. I wonder, though, if it isn't aimed more at adults feeling nostalgic than kids.
2023: stupid book made me cry in front of my kids
2020: made me chuckle and choke up and want to start it all over again after I read the last page. Can’t wait to read with Cameron in a few years (protagonist is in 7th grade).
2020: made me chuckle and choke up and want to start it all over again after I read the last page. Can’t wait to read with Cameron in a few years (protagonist is in 7th grade).
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An absolutely delightful story! I recommend this for just about everyone. Even though the setting is in 1967, the story of being young is universal.
Found in L4M OT Volume 1.
Found in L4M OT Volume 1.
I feel like this book might have landed on my list of top ten books of all time. NO JOKE.
How have I never read anything by Gary D Schmidt before?! Why has no one ever told me about his books??
The Wednesday Wars was hilarious--funny almost to the point of a Louis Sachar book like Sideways Stories. I mean, not that fantastical, but seriously SO FUNNY. But also? The most poignant, meaningful, insightful, thought-provoking and heart-wrenchingly beautiful words, stories and characters.
I have always loved books that go through one year-- so going thru 7th grade with Holling Hoodhood (yes!!!) of Long Island in 1967 during the Vietnam War was just a wonderful, whimiscal coming-of-age story that I could not put down. I don't feel like there are a lot of books set in this time and I love it b/c altho' it's historical (especially for kids today), it's also very current (for an old lady like me born in the 70's).
I can't even really write anything super profound about this book b/c it was just so lovely I could never do it justice--but the bar mitzvah, the cross country race, the hot chocolate, the baseball gloves, the yellow tights and every single character---well, I cried happy and sad tears rolling down my face more than once.
Thank you, Mr. Schmidt!
How have I never read anything by Gary D Schmidt before?! Why has no one ever told me about his books??
The Wednesday Wars was hilarious--funny almost to the point of a Louis Sachar book like Sideways Stories. I mean, not that fantastical, but seriously SO FUNNY. But also? The most poignant, meaningful, insightful, thought-provoking and heart-wrenchingly beautiful words, stories and characters.
I have always loved books that go through one year-- so going thru 7th grade with Holling Hoodhood (yes!!!) of Long Island in 1967 during the Vietnam War was just a wonderful, whimiscal coming-of-age story that I could not put down. I don't feel like there are a lot of books set in this time and I love it b/c altho' it's historical (especially for kids today), it's also very current (for an old lady like me born in the 70's).
I can't even really write anything super profound about this book b/c it was just so lovely I could never do it justice--but the bar mitzvah, the cross country race, the hot chocolate, the baseball gloves, the yellow tights and every single character---well, I cried happy and sad tears rolling down my face more than once.
Thank you, Mr. Schmidt!
Read for Popsugar: A book with a month or day of the week in the title (and it's a Newbery!)
What a delight! I was so on board for this one, with all of its quirks. Loved Shakespeare being a big part of it. Loved Mrs. Baker and her surprises. Chrysanthemum!
What a delight! I was so on board for this one, with all of its quirks. Loved Shakespeare being a big part of it. Loved Mrs. Baker and her surprises. Chrysanthemum!