The Wednesday Wars

Gary D. Schmidt's Newbery Honor novel, 'The Wednesday Wars,' introduces readers to Holling Hoodhood, a seventh-grader in suburban Long Island during the 1967-68 school year. While his classmates attend religious instruction, Holling is left with his English teacher, Mrs. Baker, who makes him read Shakespeare. Initially convinced Mrs. Baker dislikes him, Holling slowly begins to understand the plays and, through them, himself and the world around him, including the ever-present shadow of the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement. The story delves into Holling's complex relationship with his ambitious, self-centered father, his bond with his sister, and his journey of self-discovery amidst personal embarrassments, school challenges, and historical upheaval. It's a poignant, often humorous, and deeply human coming-of-age story perfect for readers aged 10-13.

Meet Holling Hoodhood, a seventh-grader at Camillo Junior High, who must spend Wednesday afternoons with his teacher, Mrs. Baker, while the rest of the class has religious instruction. Mrs. Baker doesn’t like Holling—he’s sure of it. Why else would she make him read the plays of William Shakespeare outside class? But everyone has bigger things to worry about, like Vietnam. His father wants Holling and his sister to be on their best behavior: the success of his business depends on it. But how can Holling stay out of trouble when he has so much to contend with? A bully demanding cream puffs; angry rats; and a baseball hero signing autographs the very same night Holling has to appear in a play in yellow tights! As fate sneaks up on him again and again, Holling finds Motivation—the Big M—in the most unexpected places and musters up the courage to embrace his destiny, in spite of himself.