Okay for Now

By: Gary D. Schmidt

Narrated by: Lincoln Hoppe

Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

As a 14-year-old who just moved to a new town, with no friends and a louse for an older brother, Doug Swieteck has all the stats stacked against him. So begins a coming-of-age masterwork full of equal parts comedy and tragedy from Newbery Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt.

As Doug struggles to be more than the skinny thug that his teachers and the police think him to be, he finds an unlikely ally in Lil Spicer, a fiery young lady who smelled like daisies would smell if they were growing in a big field under a clearing sky after a rain. In Lil, Doug finds the strength to endure an abusive father, the suspicions of a whole town, and the return of his oldest brother, forever scarred, from Vietnam. Together, they find a safe haven in the local library, inspiration in learning about the plates of John James Audubons birds, and a hilarious adventure on a Broadway stage.

In this stunning novel, Schmidt expertly weaves multiple themes of loss and recovery in a story teeming with distinctive, unusual characters and invaluable lessons about love, creativity, and survival.

©2011 Gary D. Schmidt (P)2011 Listening Library

Almost 5 stars, but not quite

I really wanted to give this book a 5 star review. I really loved the way the author returned again and again to His bird metaphor. I also feel he did an excellent job capturing the voice and thoughts of his adolescent protagonist, and the other characters in the story were rich and well-developed.

That said, there were a couple of unbelievable elements that really frustrated me. First, one important plot element is that one of the characters can’t read. However is the course of a few months that character goes from illiteracy to reading Jane Eyre. As a middle school English teacher, I found that extremely frustrating. I work with students who struggle with illiteracy all the time, and it is NEVER that easy. I feel this book is insulting to educators in the way it oversimplifies a huge issue in education.

My second frustration is less of an issue, but it has to do with a Broadway play that comes up in the story. Somehow a couple characters end up cast in the production against their wills without ever even trying out. That is simply absurd.

Still, overall this was a very well-written book. I think it approaches some important and difficult issues (especially Vietnam) in an intelligent way. I just wish the author would have done a little more research into illiteracy before making t an issue in his book.

The narrator was very good.

Life is good even when its not...

Loved Schmidt's book Wednesday's Wars and was not disappointed in this book which continues the life of the main character's best friend.

Book is intended for teens - but crosses the adult divide and makes for a nice lite listen. Lincoln is a great reader and perfect match for the central character.

This is a great book!

There is not one thing about this book that I didn’t absolutely love! The way the author tells his story is ingenious. The reader was perfect in every way. I highly recommend this book for readers of all ages!

One of the Best Books Ever

I am a mom who loved listening to this book with my 17 year old son. It’s our second Gary D. Schmidt book second to “The Wednesday Wars.” It’s a fantastic touching story, and the narrator is very engaging. My son kept asking me if we could play it, and I personally plan to listen to it again and again because I enjoy the way the author writes. I couldn’t help picture the main character older than he is in the book. I’m thinking 15 or 16 rather than an 8th grader. FYI, There are some spoilers to Jane Eyre which I’ve already read, so it didn’t affect me. However, I wouldn’t have liked that had I not read it since it’s one of my all-time favorite classics. Overall “Okay for Now” is one of the best books I’ve ever read! Highly recommend!

Yay 😀! Finally a amazing book 📖

I loved it this time and it was great! You should put this book 📖 on sale, if you do, more people will want to buy it!

One of all time fave audiobooks ever.

The narrator is fantastic. I’ve listened to this book several times. It’s a very moving story “I’m not lying!”

Absolutely brilliant!

I absolutely loved this book! The story, the voice, the characters, they were all brilliant! Would recommend to anyone and everyone! Loved, loved, loved!!

Loved this book!

Did not want it to end! The characters were so alive and I felt so many emotions!

Pleasant Surprise

I didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. I care so deeply about Doug and was cheering him on. (I legit hate his dad and although the author tried to redeem him in the end, I couldn’t get over how awful he was to his family.)

Great voice actor, good story

The voice actor does a good job of being Doug, a young man with secrets. The story is interesting and is a great example for middle school kids needing an understanding of what resilience really means. It is also great for adults to see how a whole community can come around an adolescent child and support him as he grows.