The Wednesday Wars

Schmidt, Gary. The Wednesday Wars. 2007. 256p. ISBN 9780618724833. Available both as an eBook and an audiobook on Overdrive as well as at FIC SCH on the library shelves.

It’s 1967, Holling Hoodhood is in 7th grade at Camillo Junior High on Long Island, and, unlike all of his classmates he lives right on the border of everything. He’s on the border between the northern and the southern part of the town. He’s on the border between the religious groups, half the class being Jewish and the other half being Catholic, while he’s the only Presbyterian. His father is a driven architect who is always seeking the next contract in town. His mother is quiet and doesn’t go against her husband’s wishes. And his sister is a flower child wannabe.

Holling finds himself in Mrs. Baker’s class. With the Vietnam War raging on, Mrs. Baker’s husband is deployed and fighting in Vietnam, so Mrs. Baker has plenty of time to focus on her class. On Wednesdays, all Jewish students leave early afternoon to attend religious instruction at the synagog, while all catholics leave ten minutes later to also attend religious instruction at church. Holling is the only one left in class, and Mrs. Baker must supervise him despite an attempt to have him sent to remedial 6th grade math. Holling is pretty sure Mrs. Baker hates him.

So begins a Wednesday War between Mrs. Baker and Holling. At first their relationship is rocky, but eventually they work out a compromise. Holling will read Shakespeare and then take a test on it. It will not count for anything but his edification on universal themes of humanity, love, death, and family.

Despite himself, Holling realizes that Mrs. Baker may in fact not be the enemy, but an ally who seeks to help him discover who he really is. Take a trip with Holling through the school year and the Wednesday Wars, and see how he grows as a student and as a human.

The writing is hilarious and Holling thinks out loud what most people are afraid of saying. With an unforgettable cast of well-rounded characters, you will thoroughly enjoy this book and want more. Fans of the Wednesday Wars should take a look at The Labors of Hercules Bean.