The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

5/5 Stars

My middle school aged daughter was reading The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt for school and asked if I would like to read it at the same time. Being a reading mom and always wanting to encourage my children to read, I quickly and happily agreed to read it, and I am so glad that I did!

There is so much to unpack in this book. It covers a wide array of topics and emotions and historical events, but it does so eloquently and all in age and emotionally appropriate ways for middle school students. It is obvious why this is an award-winning book!

It covers Vietnam, Shakespeare, navigating relationships with teachers and peers, baseball, cream puffs, politics, family dynamics… this book seems to have it all! And every element is woven together cohesively and beautifully. The reader is drawn in quickly and the book ends sooner than you realize because the enjoyment in reading it is immense.

In September of 1967, Holling Hoodhood begins seventh grade at Camillo Junior High in the suburbs of Long Island. It follows his entire seventh grade year with an emphasis on his Wednesday afternoons with his teacher, Mrs. Baker. It is hilarious! And Holling learns a lot about himself throughout the book. There are many ups and downs, but the book culminates beautifully, emotionally, and satisfactorily.

You will laugh, you will cry, and you will thoroughly enjoy this book. I encourage any adult with a middle school aged child to encourage him/her to read The Wednesday Wars.