Common Sense Media Review
Funny, breathtakingly poignant '60s coming-of-age tale.
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Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 36 kid reviews
Kids say that this book presents a mix of opinions, with some readers appreciating its complex themes and character development related to historical events, while others find it boring and lacking a solid plot. Overall, it seems best suited for older children or young adults who can grasp its intricate writing style and references, especially those interested in Shakespeare and coming-of-age stories.
- mixed opinions
- complex themes
- suited for older kids
- historical context
- character development
- some boring parts
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
On Wednesdays afternoons half of Holling's class leaves school early for catechism class. The other half leaves early for Hebrew school. That leaves Presbyterian Holling alone every Wednesday afternoon with his teacher, Mrs. Baker. Neither of them is happy at the prospect, and Holling is sure Mrs. Baker hates him as a result. At first Mrs. Baker just has Holling clean erasers, but then decides to make better use of the time by introducing him to Shakespeare. And as events in the larger world during the 1967-68 school year unfold in the background, Holling begins to learn about himself, his family, friends, and the mysterious adult world.
Is It Any Good?
It's a wonderful thing when an author can bring the reader to tears without anything sad happening. It's even better when it's done in the course of what would normally be described as "hilarious misadventures." Author Gary D. Schmidt accomplishes this by getting inside the head of a bright but fairly typical goofball seventh-grader who's doing the opposite of what so many kids at that age do -- opening his heart to the world.
With the prim prodding of his dry, no-nonsense teacher, and a big dollop of help from the Bard, Holling learns to see into the hearts of others, which causes him to stand up to his overbearing father, to care for his floundering older sister when she needs him, to recognize the depth of his friendships, to see the humanity in his teachers, and ... to begin to really understand Shakespeare. This is a funny and breathtakingly moving book, because in the end there's little that's as funny and moving as growing up -- except perhaps growing into a wise and loving person.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Shakespeare helps Holling understand his life, and the ways in which his life helps him understand Shakespeare. Why does he like using Shakespeare's phrases so much? How does reading Shakespeare relate to the rest of his life?
Have you read other books by Gary D. Schmidt? How do you think The Wednesday Wars compares?
How does the author use humor to help tell his story?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Clarion Books
- Publication date : May 1, 2007
- Number of pages : 264
- Award : Newbery Medal and Honors
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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