Bibliographic Data
Wednesday Wars
By Gary D. Schmidt Read by Joel
Johnstone
Scholastic Audiobooks ©2007
ISBN: 9780439925013
Brief Plot Summary
Holling
Hoodhood is the son of a cold architect and the brother of a teenage flower
child in 1967. On Wednesdays when his classmates go to their religious lessons,
Holling spends his afternoons with Mrs. Baker who’s husband is M.I.A. in
Vietnam. At first they seem to be adversaries they grow closer together as Mrs.
Baker teaches him Shakespeare and how to run like an athlete. The story
concludes with the year-end camping trip and Mrs. Baker’s husband is found.
Critical Analysis
Children’s
historical fiction should have a protagonist that readers can identify with.
Holling Hoodhood is not popular, but he is not a social reject either. He faced
many obstacles kids today face like mean teachers, bullying, and homework.
However the era is evidenced through his daily life. He listens to the radio
for entertainment. The politics his sister and father argue over are of the
times. One of his school chores is to clean chalk board erasers.
Also the style of the story is of this era.
Hollings voice, especially on the audio of this book is reminiscent of the
Wonder Years television show. His voice is naïve, cynical, introspective, and
dense with hyperbole. It also shows his kind character. He frequently gives
people benefit of the doubt.
The type
of historical fiction this story is is United States historical fiction. The
plot of this story does not sugar coat the tumultuous year of 1967 and its
sensitive issues. Holling recounts tearful moments such as Mrs. Bigio losing
her husband in Vietnam, his family mourning the death of President Kennedy, and
the cruelty Mai Thi faced. Holling is frank and genuine as he describes the
screams and facial expressions in this emotional, but also happy story.
Wednesday Wars boasts strong themes of loyalty,
sacrifice, and forgiveness. Holling was loyal to his sister when she becomes
stranded in another city. Determined, he found money and brought her home
himself. Mrs. Baker sacrifices her time with good deeds for other military
wives as well as her students, particularly Holling. Mai Thi and Mrs. Bigio
achingly forgive each other and end up living together.
Authenticity
is an important characteristic of historical fiction. This story has a good
amount of facts that are verifiable. We know that refugees from Vietnam were
brought to the United States during the Vietnam War. We know when Kennedy was
assassinated. People are still around from that era so the author could easily
gather information on the period.
Review Excerpt(s)
“Holling's
unwavering, distinctive voice offers a gentle, hopeful, moving story of a boy
who, with the right help, learns to stretch beyond the limitations of his
family, his violent times, and his fear, as he leaps into his future with his
eyes and his heart wide open.” -Gillian Engberg (Booklist, Jun. 1, 2007 (Vol.
103, No. 19))
“This
story interweaves the issues of the period with grace and power, resulting in
historical fiction both entertaining and endearing.” -Janice DeLong (Children's
Literature)
“Schmidt
has a way of getting to the emotional heart of every scene without
overstatement, allowing the reader and Holling to understand the great truths
swirling around them on their own terms.” -Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, May 15, 2007
(Vol. 75, No. 10))
Awards
Books of
the Year, 2007 Winner Favorite Middle Grade Novel United States
Cybil
Award, 2007 Finalist Young Adult Fiction United States
International
Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Honor List, 2010 Honour List Writer
Canada
John
Newbery Medal, 2008 Honor Book United States
Connections
Gary D. Schmidt’s Official Website:
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