Reviews

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

bittersweet_symphony's review against another edition

4.0

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.

allicatca's review against another edition

1.0

DNF
Listened to a few chapters. Skipped ahead to a different disk. Found this book to be incredibly boring.

schofield24's review against another edition

5.0

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.

hopereads08's review against another edition

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

4.5

suehc's review against another edition

5.0

I loved the voice of the main character in this book. He made me laugh out loud! Another one of my favorites.

esthery_rn's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

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.

gracerangel's review against another edition

5.0

So many elements in this book!! The cover doesn't do it justice.

bensmucker93's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

4.75

joshkiba13's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring relaxing sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

I've listened to this audiobook so many times, and I think I just love it more every time. It's funny, it's sad, it's touching. I love the setting in New York during the Vietnam War and seeing those complicated issues through the lens of a kid's eyes. It's a mostly lighthearted story that will sucker punch you with emotions when you least expect it.

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Content Warnings

Minor: War, Racism, and Death

evawhite's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War and Racism