The Wednesday Wars

By: Gary D. Schmidt

Narrated by: Joel Johnstone

Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

In this Newbery Honor-winning novel, Gary D. Schmidt offers an unforgettable antihero. The Wednesday Wars is a wonderfully witty and compelling story about a teenage boy’s mishaps and adventures over the course of the 1967-68 school year in Long Island, New York. 

Meet Holling Hoodhood, a seventh-grader at Camillo Junior High who must spend Wednesday afternoons with his teacher, Mrs. Baker, while the rest of the class has religious instruction. Mrs. Baker doesn’t like Holling - he’s sure of it. Why else would she make him read the plays of William Shakespeare outside class? 

But everyone has bigger things to worry about, like Vietnam. His father wants Holling and his sister to be on their best behavior: The success of his business depends on it. But how can Holling stay out of trouble when he has so much with which to contend? A bully demanding cream puffs; angry rats; and a baseball hero signing autographs the very same night Holling has to appear in a play in yellow tights! 

As fate sneaks up on him again and again, Holling finds Motivation - the Big M - in the most unexpected places and musters up the courage to embrace his destiny, in spite of himself.

©2007 Gary D. Schmidt (P)2018 Recorded Books

A Happy Book

This book might have been written for young readers. But it is a happy happy story that took me away from the horrid news cycle enveloping the 2020 Election. An escape for an adult that was in 7th grade in 1968 - the timeframe of the book.

If you were ever in 7th grade. . .

I first read The Wednesday Wars in 2011, and I have never forgotten it (especially the yellow tights and the story that surrounds them). Recently I bought the audiobook so I could read it again. Glad I did. It was just as much a delight the second time through. Toward the end of the book, I drove to a wedding, an hour drive each way along a winding mountain road. I laughed out loud numerous times, and the drive seemed to fly by.

The Wednesday Wars is set during the school year of 1967-1968. The protagonist is 7th grader Holling Hoodhood, the only Presbyterian in his class. Every Wednesday, half the class goes off for Hebrew instruction and the other half goes off for Catholic instruction. A Presbyterian, Holling is left in his teacher’s care. If not for him, Mrs. Baker would have Wednesday afternoons off. Therefore he is sure she hates him as only a teacher can and is out to kill him in devious ways, including by making him read Shakespeare plays.

I don’t want to give away too much of the story. But I will say this: I laughed and laughed and laughed. I related to all the angst of a 12 year old. I remembered those atomic bomb drills where we got under our desks. I also ached over parts of the story. The writer is truly gifted at saying much with a few words. He also reminded me why I’m glad I’m not a 7th grade boy dealing with the 8th grade boys on the cross-country team. Read the book to know what I mean. LOL! And it is a rare writer who can bring me to tears while I’m walking on the treadmill, but that’s what happened to me when he so wonderfully described the sound Mrs. Baker made when–– (Nope! Not gonna say more.)

If you were ever a kid, if you were ever in the 7th grade, and especially if you were a 7th grade kid during the turbulent ’60s, you need to read this book.

How can I review a book like this?

I cannot imagine a more moving balance of pure fun and silly childhood perspective and deep and meaningful themes.

The protagonist is an opinionated narrator that is deeply faithful to what it means to be a child, but the author is honed in on what it means to grow into a man.

As the tale unfolds the author’s skill at developing the characters ends up developing the reader as well as the story’s moments intertwine with classic literature especially Shakespeare. I’m now inspired to return to the lessons of the Bard inspired by the way that this book delves into themes of loss, growth, joy, and what it means to live as a person in the world we find ourselves in.

5/5 recommend it without reservations.

Cute story

I listen to this with my 11 year old daughter. It started off a little slow but by the third chapter it picked up. We really enjoyed it and we recommend this book.

Fun story

Great narrator choice. Fun story to listen to. Light story referencing heavy history in background.

A great book

This book is filled with..... things hard to explain,meanings I guess.
the story was perfect and the narrator had the perfect voice for Holling.

Into the life of a seventh grader

The book was so funny and talks a lot about the boy’s adventures and journeys through seventh grade.This book will encourage readers to try new things and explore.
The book talks about his friends and family and his parents, including his sibling.The author explains how some things are hard like the play the boy was in and his character.The author also says that you should always try your best and despite the hard things you will learn to work through them.My favorite part was the camping trip all the students work together and learn together.

Incredible book!

I loved every moment of this book!! I laughed, I cried, what a brilliantly written story! I want to listen again now because it was so good!!

Great family listen

We listened to this on a road trip with our kids and we all enjoyed the story. Especially the performance of the reader!

Noel

This was a amazing story. Nice plot and I love the ending. Overall very nice book.