Schmidt, Gary D. 2007. THE WEDNESDAY WARS. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618724834
PLOT SUMMARY
In this Romeo and Juliet story, this novel’s lead character, Holling Hoodhood, is a vastly complex junior high school student with expectations from his father to take over the family business one day. Holling has his family pressure and the often conflicted friendship of Meryl Lee and her family to contend with throughout this re-working of the classic tale. From his explicit dislike for his teacher, Mrs. Baker, to his dread at being left alone in class on Wednesdays while other students are bussed away to the Hebrew temple and the Catholic Church for additional classes. Holling begins a difficult, yet enlightening journey with his teacher through hard work, Shakespeare, and sports. Holling becomes empowered and grows as a young student at school and at home, during this Vietnam era book.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Holling Hoodhood seems to be a typical junior high school boy, who tries to avoid the school bully, finds love in a classmate and tries to fit in at Camillo Junior High School. The student characters in the book seem realistic and typical of the age described in the book. The teacher, Mrs.Baker and cafeteria lady, Mrs. Bigio play a big role in the personal life of Holling as the plot unfolds. The use of all female teachers is very authentic in describing a typical junior high school campus in the 1960s.
As Holling experiences his sister’s disdain for the Vietnam War and eventual discovery and homecoming, the factual events are pulled into the story politically from his father and mother’s view. Holling’s father explains to his sister that “Bobby Kennedy is a rich kid from Cape Cod who’s never done anything on his own his whole life.”
In typical Romeo and Juliet style, Holling’s father is driven by the success of his architect firm and Meryl Lee’s father is just as competitive with his firm. The main characters are pitted against one another during a bid for a design for a new school and both Holling and Meryl Lee’s trust is tested as well as their family loyalty.
Mrs. Baker’s personal experience with the war, having her husband away fighting, brings the war into the classroom for the students. The character, Mai Thi, has been rescued from Vietnam by the Catholic Relief Agency and brings the people of Vietnam into the classroom as a real casualty of the war.
The brilliant example of how one teacher can impact and change a student’s life is embodied in the character of Mrs. Baker. She is a teacher, confidant, motivator, coach, counselor, and Holling’s biggest supporter through so many trying times in this adolescent’s life. The absence of his parents at major events is fostered by the presence of Mrs. Baker.
There are not author’s notes or citations included in the book. This historical references include the Red Sox and the World series, Mrs. Bakers’ experience at the Olympics, the Bing Crosby Christmas special on T.V., Mickey Mantle, Bobby Kennedy, and Holling’s sister listening to the Beatles record just to name a few.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Book Links starred 09/01/07
Notable/Best Books (ALA) 01/01/08
Booklist starred 06/01/07
School Library Journal 07/01/07
Horn Book starred 10/01/07
Wilson’s Children 01/01/09
Newbery Medal/Honor 01/14/08
Wilson’s Junior High School 01/09/10
Horn Book (July/August, 2007) – “Schmidt rises above the novel's conventions to create memorable and believable characters.”Kirkus Review starred (May 15, 2007) – “Schmidt has a way of getting to the emotional heart of every scene without overstatement, allowing the reader and Holling to understand the great truths swirling around them on their own terms.”
CONNECTIONS
Kline, Trish. 2001. I AM CALLED CALPULLI. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 0823415708
· Partner this as another coming of age book but with an Indian lead character
Packer, Tina, and Gail De Marcken. 2004. TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439321077
· Partner this as an overview of the Shakespeare plays discussed in the text
Warren, Andrea. 2004. ESCAPE FROM SAIGON: A VIETNAM WAR ORPHAN BECOMES AN AMERICAN BOY. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 0374322244
- Partner this book as a perspective on international adoption
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