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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
What a lovely lovely companion YA novel to OKAY FOR NOW! In fact, even some of the characters are similar. For instance, Doug Sweiteck, the protagonist from OKAY FOR NOW, is a minor character in THE WEDNESDAY WARS. It was fun to see the same middle school crowd in the same town, but with a different protagonist's journey.
I love Schmidt's novels because they are relentlessly hopeful without being cheesy, and like OKAY FOR NOW, THE WEDNESDAY WARS also prominently features teachers who step in and save kids lives through learning/loving when parents drop the ball and don't know how to be parents. Schmidt is also incredibly talented at introducing a trope and pulling threads of it throughout the story when you least expect it. Here, he uses Shakespeare, cream puffs, pet rats and the Vietnam War -- and he uses them all flawlessly.
Finally, this novel, like OKAY FOR NOW, includes another example of a fully formed male protagonist who defies stereotype. Holling Hoodhood likes to read, to memorize and perform Shakespeare, and to run track. While he faces patriarchal pressures to "be a man," he meanders through standards of masculinity as an individual, often questioning the very premise of these expectations as best he can as a seventh grader. What a great thing for YA readers to encounter!
While some events seem a little too perfectly timed for verisimilitude, and some aspects of life seem a little too rosy, I can't even hold those things against Schmidt because this is just as delightful book in every way.
I love Schmidt's novels because they are relentlessly hopeful without being cheesy, and like OKAY FOR NOW, THE WEDNESDAY WARS also prominently features teachers who step in and save kids lives through learning/loving when parents drop the ball and don't know how to be parents. Schmidt is also incredibly talented at introducing a trope and pulling threads of it throughout the story when you least expect it. Here, he uses Shakespeare, cream puffs, pet rats and the Vietnam War -- and he uses them all flawlessly.
Finally, this novel, like OKAY FOR NOW, includes another example of a fully formed male protagonist who defies stereotype. Holling Hoodhood likes to read, to memorize and perform Shakespeare, and to run track. While he faces patriarchal pressures to "be a man," he meanders through standards of masculinity as an individual, often questioning the very premise of these expectations as best he can as a seventh grader. What a great thing for YA readers to encounter!
While some events seem a little too perfectly timed for verisimilitude, and some aspects of life seem a little too rosy, I can't even hold those things against Schmidt because this is just as delightful book in every way.
Wonderful and moving book. I was put off from reading it by the cover and print, showing it is clearly aimed at a young audience (Newberry Award winner) but am very glad I picked it up. I would have been the age of the sister of the main character, so the history within the book is set is familiar territory for me. Such a surprise read.
This book is so good. Pretty perfect middle grade, IMO. Laughed and cried. I am going to seek out Schmidt’s other books, too...
An unusual book with an interesting character (with an unusual name: Holling Hoodhood). It takes place in the 60s, and it is all about being a 7th grade student at that time. Because Holling has to be by himself with his teacher on Wednesday afternoons, she makes him read Shakespeare, and it is great to see his verses interspersed throughout the book. There's a little bit of what you expect, but a lot you don't. A sweet story...upper elementary and up.
re: Shakespeares plays
"Great comedy," I said.
"A Comedy isn't about being funny, "said Mrs. Baker.....
"A Comedy is about characters who dare to know that they may choose a happy ending after all...."
"Great comedy," I said.
"A Comedy isn't about being funny, "said Mrs. Baker.....
"A Comedy is about characters who dare to know that they may choose a happy ending after all...."
I loved this book. I listened to it, and it did great as an audiobook. Genuinely funny coming of age story. The characters, though not fully fleshed out, were real and believable, even if the story felt like it tended toward hyperbole.
I intend to check it out again this summer and make my husband listen to it on our summer road trips.
I intend to check it out again this summer and make my husband listen to it on our summer road trips.
I loved this book. I loved the narrator, I loved the characters, I loved the storyline. But most of all, I loved how my opinion of so many of the characters changed during the telling of the story. I started off thinking that Holling Hoodhood was just going to be a sad 7th grader who every one bullies and tortures. And, I thought I was going to really detest Mrs. Baker.
What a lovely surprise. A great book for young and old. :o)
What a lovely surprise. A great book for young and old. :o)
This reminded me of Gordon Korman (but not quite as funny) or Ellen Conford. Enjoyable story, well-written. Lots of Shakespeare.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes