The Wednesday Wars

I used to say I wasn’t a fan of historical fiction. It’s certainly not the first section I hit when searching for a new read. Luckily for me, I have friends who know better and recommended The Wednesday Wars to me (nod to the fine folks at Blue Willow Bookshop http://www.bluewillowbookshop.com/ , especially @Bibliopinions, who first turned me on to Gary D. Schmidt’s writing.)*

The year is 1967, and Holling Hoodhood (yes, really…that’s his name) is destined to hate seventh grade. Every Wednesday afternoon, half his class leaves for Hebrew school, while the other half heads to Catechism—leaving him, the sole Presbyterian, the only obstacle between his teacher and a free afternoon. Certain she despises him, the school year looms large before him. Only Gary D. Schmidt could take such potential for disaster and turn it into an alternatingly light-hearted and tender coming of age story. With the Vietnam War and Summer of Love as a compelling backdrop, Holling learns he is more than just a kid from the suburbs.

When is historical fiction not historical fiction? When the author transports you into the era, leaving modern life behind. This is not your typical coming-of-age story—it is beautifully written literature, exactly what one would expect from Gary D. Schmidt. He weaves in lessons from Shakespeare and theater, space flight, the Olympics, and the fragmented world resulting from an unpopular war.

Schmidt, G. D. (2007). The Wednesday wars. New York, NY: Clarion Books.

* Disclosure: I do not get any financial support from any of the booksellers I mention in my blog, but I think it’s really important to support our local independent booksellers! And as far as @bibliopinions goes—she’s just a fabulous reader and friend to schools (and me!)