Parents' Guide to

The Wednesday Wars

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Funny, breathtakingly poignant '60s coming-of-age tale.

Book Gary D. Schmidt Coming of Age 2007
The Wednesday Wars Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 7 parent reviews

SHEDllc
SHEDllc Adult
December 10, 2022
age 10+

Wonderfully written with ample opportunities for discussion

I read this to my 8 year old, highly sensitive, altruistic, questing child over the past few weeks. It was my favorite read aloud to date. We both loved it! Pros: * Use of imagery * History (Vietnam, Bobby Kennedy, MLK, 1960s counterculture) * Shakespearean references * Great thematic elements - Coming-of-age - Familial dysfunction - Religion - Politics - Death (inferenced, not depicted) - Social issues - Bullying * Ample opportunities for discussion Cons: * It could be confusing for a child to read on their own - 13+ should be okay - 11+ depends on the child - 10 and under should be read with an adult (I wouldn't go younger than 8)
ReaderOfBooks
ReaderOfBooks Adult
May 6, 2020
age 10+

Clever Book

I read this aloud to my 9 year old and we loved it. In fact, we binge read it over 5 days. It made us laugh, cry and think. It's a very clever and funny book with references to Shakespeare, American History and 1960's pop culture running through a story a normal kid growing up in 1960s America. It led to a multitude of discussions and questions - we are not American so probably a few more unfamiliar references for my son than others. We've been discussing characters' points of view, religion, important history events, politics and quoting Shakespeare ever since. I love it when a book expands his world, makes him think and makes him feel something. I'd say my son relates to the main character too, being just a normal kid growing up and navigating life. He also found it really exciting and enjoyed how so many events had build ups and climaxes, rather than just one toward the end. I do wonder if some of the poor reviews from others are because the readers haven't had an opportunity to discuss the complex themes and backdrop to the story? I guess not everyone would get the dry sense of humour and subtle jokes throughout. I highly recommend it but understand how it may not appeal to all.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 7 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (7 ):
Kids say (33 ):

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

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