BLOGGER TEMPLATES AND TWITTER BACKGROUNDS

Monday, March 21, 2011

Book Review: The Wednesday Wars

Hello all! I know that I've been pretty MIA lately, but school has been keeping me unbelievably busy this year! This next book I'm reviewing, I actually read for an English project about the American Dream. Finally some homework that I enjoyed!


The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt (who was actually one of my teacher's college professors)

While all his classmates are enjoying (?) religious instruction, seventh-grader Holling Hoodhood shares
Wednesday afternoons with Mrs. Baker, his Camillo Junior High teacher. Not surprisingly, Holling lacks enthusiasm for mid-week appointments with an instructor who assigns him Shakespeare as out-of-class reading. Holling has other things on his mind besides English Renaissance drama. For his dad's sake, he's trying hard to stay out of trouble, but with hovering bullies and other impinging crises, that seems to be a full-time job. Fortunately, help arrives from an unexpected source. Another funny yet gripping novel from the author ofLizzie Bright and The Buckminster Boy. (Goodreads)

I'd not fully sure what i was expecting when I picked this book up, but I definitely didn't think I'd end up with a fantastic coming of age story that truly resonates through a culture.

The characters are strong. I love how Holling, the main character, grows throughout the year. And I loved seeing how his relationship with Mrs. Baker
grew, too. There's such a strong sense of community in the novel, and it really helps push forward the theme.

I also really enjoyed the constant struggle that Holling felt with his parents. They want and expect so much of him, and it's so realistic for the people who live in the "perfect house".

And the writing style is clever and humorous, with the serious bits mixed in there perfectly. A true talent. I highly recommend!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

For the life of me I couldn't remember what this book was about and surprise someone actually reviewed it! Thanks. I got to read again.

Anonymous said...

*I've got to read it again.

-Adriana