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

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.

Since no one will ever live this childhood again

You HAVE to read this! This is every stereotype from this time period! This is every beautiful Norman Rockwell rolled up into words! This will bring a smile and maybe even provoke the shedding of a tear or two! I will be listening to this again and plan to read ALL of Schmidt’s other books! Can not recommend enough! PS If you hope to spark an interest in Shakespeare in any young child’s mind, this book is mandatory!

Wow! My Favorite.

This book was extremely well written and had an exceptional story line, characters, themes. I am an avid reader and this is my favorite book of all time.

Beautiful, Sweet, Full of Heart and even funny

I wasn't sure I would like this story. The title didn't grab me and it started kinda slow. But quickly it became a journey I joined the author on . The story is beautifully written, laugh out loud funny at times and by the end, a deep awakening of things I haven't quite grasped about life yet, even at 58. This is a story to listen to over and over. Loved it!!

The Best YA Realistic Fiction I’ve Read in a Long Time

Holling is a charming main character, and his humor and character arc are worth the read. I was pleasantly surprised with the depth in the development of a variety of themes as the story progressed. Joel Johnstone’s performance does Holling justice and keeps the meaning in his repetitions and exclamations (from “Swell” to “Toads, beetles, bats!”), making it sound like you’re listening to a real person. This was a delightful book to listen to!

Parents & Teachers

Why do Authors feel the need to separate children from parents? Sad really, lots of great parents out there. How about a few books that reflect THAT reality. OK read, bad perspective

Outstanding book.

At first, I was intended to continue reading it. But after the chapter, October, I understood it more. With the audio you can hear how they sound and mean some of the phrases from Shakesspeare in the story.

Fine Juvenile Fiction

Fun, lighthearted book that also has meaningful themes and talking points. It makes me want to read Shakespeare again.

Multi-level goodness

Wednesday Wars is not only a wonderful coming of age and to terms with difficult family story, it is also a history of growing up during the Vietnam War era as well as sneaking in why and how to see and apply the lessons of good literature to your life. I think that everyone who will be reading or performing Shakespeare should read this book first. Wish it were required reading for all sixth or seventh graders, but it is great for adults too.

Joel Johnstone perfectly narrates this story

This was a moving and funny story from the mid sixties - good character development and redemption.