When Holling Hoodhood starts seventh grade, he knows two things for sure. First, he is the son who will one day inherit Hoodhood and Associates (his father’s architecture firm). Second, his new teacher, Mrs. Baker, hates his guts. He first discovers this fact on Wednesday, when the Jewish and Catholic students leave for religious study, and Holling, the only Presbyterian, must stay behind with Mrs. Baker. Mrs. Baker tortures him with meaningless chores each Wednesday, until one day, she comes up with a new punishment. She forces him to read Shakespeare.
Through reading and performing Shakespeare, Holling learns two things. First, he can choose to be more than the son who will one day inherit Hoodhood and Associates. Second, Mrs. Baker probably doesn’t hate him.
The political and social unrest of the Vietnam era bubble under the surface of this strongly felt coming-of-age novel. Schmidt peppers his deeply funny story with poignant moments of loss, growth and missed chances. Even if some plot twists seem too good to be true (like when Holling gets to play with the Yankees), Holling brings a unique, believable voice that will speak to young and not-so-young readers alike. A beautifully crafted novel about finding hope and strength even in the most uncertain of times.
After reading this book, I understand why many people were shocked when Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! beat out The Wednesday Wars for the 2008 Newbery Medal. I enjoyed the winning book, but there’s no doubt in my mind, The Wednesday Wars should have won.
Audiobook Note: Joel Johnstone’s narration fits Holling perfectly. He sounds age appropriate, and does a great job of tackling both the funny and serious moments.
DweebMeter: 4.5/5
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May 13, 2008 at 12:20 am
You gave this one a good review. I might have to give it a shot. Maybe. After the twelve thousand other books I want to read are done. LOL It does sound like a good book though. Different.
Team Edward!
Jul 27, 2008 at 10:05 pm
[...] Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt; review by Book [...]
Aug 28, 2008 at 12:00 am
this book sucks
Aug 28, 2008 at 12:36 am
An interesting argument
And how do you feel about Shakespeare?
Oct 6, 2008 at 12:33 am
im only 12 years old and im reading this book for school and i love it sooo much, so i recomend it for everybody!!!!!!!!!
Oct 8, 2008 at 9:13 pm
i totally luvvvvved this amazing book. doing a book report about it! BTW…. U ARE A PIED NINNY!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHA
Oct 13, 2008 at 5:43 pm
This is the best book i have ever read and i am only 10 years old. This book i am doing for a oral book report and i think that my class will love it.Pied Ninny hahahahahaha =) toads beetels bats and it was a happy ending.
Oct 13, 2008 at 5:45 pm
This is the best book i have ever read and i am only 10 years old. I am doing this book for a oral book report and i think my class will love it. Toads beetels bats and it was a happy ending
Oct 13, 2008 at 5:47 pm
If anyone reads this that plays runescape add me my name is lamabama
Dec 31, 2008 at 6:10 pm
I don’t know wat the hell this book is about cas I dint rid it
Dec 31, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Screw this book
Jan 27, 2009 at 7:11 pm
dis book is lame my teeacher got us readin dis bullstuff
Feb 4, 2009 at 2:02 am
this book was stupid!!!
Mar 10, 2009 at 9:38 pm
this is a great book
Mar 27, 2009 at 1:07 am
hello im doing this book for pentathlon and i cant get trough it but if you can send me a shorter version of wat its about it would be awsome….p.s. im only 12 years old…ofcourse im gonna think its boring
May 13, 2009 at 3:20 am
This book was really interesting. You would enjoy more if you’d relate to it somehow (I know I did) rather than just read it for the entire sake of reading. I read this book in less than 3 months (I’m busy sometimes you know)
P.S
Well… I’m 12 years old and DON’T think it’s boring so it doesn’t mean that the entire generation of 12 year olds will all hate this book. Geez
May 19, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Boring book. It’s very steriotypical, the kid that gets picked on, is different, and has to stay with the teacher that ‘hates’ him.
May 27, 2009 at 8:23 pm
people who say this book was boring are just weird. this book was amazing, and i read it in less than 2 weeks because i couldnt get enough of it. hey, i actually want to read shakespeare now, which is a lot to say coming from someone who’s thirteen.
Jun 27, 2009 at 3:18 am
This a really good book I love it. I’ve been reading it and it gets better by the pages.
Jun 27, 2009 at 3:22 am
Hey who ever is the age under 14 great so am I. I’m reading it for Summer reading I love it I can’t let go of It
Jun 27, 2009 at 3:29 am
Who ever thinks it’s boring or LAme or dumb or even stupid is just
Because your not into books and hate reading and don’t have a life
Screw u then because ur missing a lot I’m out ps good for u people whothink it’s awesome. Ya woohoo. I love it peace by guys.
Sep 2, 2009 at 10:13 pm
sexy book
Sep 18, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Great book I love how the Vietnam war and hippies are all on the edge of the book! I read it in like 4 days!!
Sep 27, 2009 at 4:10 pm
A am 13 years old and i loved this book sooo much
it was so good and i recomemd it to anyone from ages 9+ ! it was soo goooddd 
toads, beetles and bats =]… soo … at first it was a little boring and i didnt want to continue but then it got better and better and i loved it and totally wanted to finish by the endd ! thankss… i recomend itt! -meg
Oct 9, 2009 at 8:54 pm
toads beetle bats. fuuuuuck ya
I hate this niggggggggger book. you guys are nerds 
Nov 9, 2009 at 10:02 pm
I love to read [as in my name] but this book wasn’t really that good. I got bored in less than two pages. I am not weird or stupid but I think this book wasn’t that great. Hey, I just have a different reading style than you guys who actually DO like it!