Reviews

Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt

mary00's review against another edition

5.0

This book is Fantastic! It is a companion novel to Schmidt's Newbery Honor book The Wednesday Wars (which is also fantastic), but you could read this one without having read The Wednesday Wars first. For me, this book even surpasses The Wednesday Wars and makes me want to go and read every single thing that Gary Schmidt has written.

I was so close to giving this book 5 stars (and maybe I will change my mind and still do so). However, the ending felt just the slightest bit convenient to me. The way things ended with the father, particulary, felt just a tad bit too contrived. So let's say it's a 4.75 instead.

Having said that, this is one of the best books that I have read in a long time and, in my humble opinion, should earn many awards this year (including the Newbery (fingers crossed)).

Having read this book directly after having finished Split (another book which contains an abusive father), I especially appreciated Schmidt's ability to portray the horrific aspect of living in an unstable and abusive home environment without actually having to spell out many of the details or use graphic descriptions and language.

In short, this is a gem of a novel which is at turns heartbreaking, sweet, and humorous and contains a memorable and lovable (yet flawed) protagonist. I feel that this book would be every bit as appealing to adults as it is to the children/ youth it is marketed for.

awilsonmomof2's review against another edition

4.0

I loved this sad (and happy), coming-of-age story from the first page to the last. What an emotional ride as we are presented with a year in the life of young Doug Swieteck. I love how different characters come together to help each other out. Would highly recommend!

megangraff's review against another edition

3.0

I couldn't quite give this book 4 stars but it deserves at least 3.5.

4saradouglas's review against another edition

5.0

This is the kind of book that you finish and immediately start pestering everyone you know to read. It was just fantastic. My only problem was that the ending was a little bit unrealistic with the father's sudden change of behavior, but for a middle school book I think it's fine. The whole book was pretty painful to read because you just get so invested in the characters and whenever they get hurt, you hurt with them. Just fantastic though!

apol27's review against another edition

4.0

Really enjoyed the writing style- very different. Not the most realistic plot, but very inspiring to see how a few people can make a difference in a child's life- even one that has everything else going against him

shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition

I predict that this makes it to the short list for possible Newbery Award winners. Doug Swieteck's dysfunctional family moves to a "lousy" small town just before 8th grade begins. Transformation happens - to Doug, his parents, brothers and community. Even though the themes - art, Vietnam, pre-judging people, baseball, cancer - don't seem like they go together, somehow they work in this middle school/upper elementary story. Doug is a good kid, but he has an appropriate amount of sass too. The author is from Grand Rapids and teaches at Calvin College. He has had a Newbery honor before.

nonime's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

brent_y's review against another edition

4.0

Almost as good as Hercules but not quite.
Definitely more of a tear jerker though.
I was close, but didn't become a chump.

baileyreneec's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

When I started reading this I thought that the speaker’s inner voice was a lot like Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye. Because I didn’t like that novel I was wary of this one and of where it was going. However, by the end I found myself not wanting the novel to end. I think that Schmidt did an amazing job of developing Doug as a character. Watching him grow into a new person was not only satisfying but heartwarming as well. At the beginning of the novel Doug’s actions were only for himself; by the end of the story Doug was doing all kinds of things for those he had come to know and love, even if he didn’t want to do them. Schmidt doesn’t just focus character development like this on his main character, though. His brother Lucas goes through a transformation as well. Although it’s clear that he is heavily affected by the war, he is changed by the love and support of his family and his community (after he gets the coaching job). All in all I think that this novel is not only about trying to fit in to a new community, but also how finding your place in that community can change you and those around you.

sparklethenpop's review against another edition

4.0

You know those books that make you feel devastated, angry, hopeful, and happy all at once? This is one of them. Good stuff.