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cgdugger 's review for:
The Wednesday Wars
by Gary D. Schmidt
Holling Hoodhood is a seventh grader who lives in a town where on Wednesday, half the students go to Catholic school and half go to Jewish school. He is left behind with his teacher because he is presbyterian. Throughout his Wednesdays with his teacher Mrs. Baker, Holing learns Shakespeare, how to run cross country and countless life lessons.
I like that this is a little bit of historical fiction without being heavy on the history side. It does talk about the Vietnam war and about the fears and opinions of the people, but it isn't too heavy handed that a young person wouldn't understand. I appreciate that there was a kind of theme of community taking over when the parents weren't around. Not that Holling was abused or anything by his parents, but you definitely see a lack of support. You can see how teachers, students, student's parents and siblings all can be a support system to help in deficit of parents.
I like that this is a little bit of historical fiction without being heavy on the history side. It does talk about the Vietnam war and about the fears and opinions of the people, but it isn't too heavy handed that a young person wouldn't understand. I appreciate that there was a kind of theme of community taking over when the parents weren't around. Not that Holling was abused or anything by his parents, but you definitely see a lack of support. You can see how teachers, students, student's parents and siblings all can be a support system to help in deficit of parents.