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If you dislike Shakespeare then you have something in common with Holling—the main character in The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt. Those who have been keeping up with the Big Read Lakeshore know that The Wednesday Wars is our featured book this year. (If this is news to you, then check out the last blog post).
What It’s About
This Newbery Honor Book takes place during the Vietnam War, but to Holling, there is a more important war going on: the one in his classroom. Holling is the only student who is not Catholic or Jewish. This means he is the only student who does not have a religious class to attend on Wednesday afternoons. Instead, he spends it with his teacher Mrs. Baker, who “hates his guts.”
Mrs. Baker (among other chores) makes Holling read Shakespeare. At first he hates it, mostly because he knows she’s doing it to punish him. Eventually though, he starts to realize the value of reading Shakespeare. The Merchant of Venice teaches him about empathy for people who are considered “bad.” The Tempest teaches him courage. He even acts out the character Ariel in a play and endures the hardships that come with it.
All of the reading he does teaches Holling critical thinking. He soon realizes that he cannot blindly follow his fathers’ plans for his life. From baseball obsessions to escaped rats and school bullies, there is never a dull moment in The Wednesday Wars
Why Read It
For those of you who dislike Shakespeare, even if The Wednesday Wars does not change your mind (I think it will), you at least may find some redeeming qualities about his work. If you already like Shakespeare, then you will see how you can apply his works to your life like Holling does.
As a middle grade novel, this book is perfect for teachers to use in the classroom. Students with all kinds of diverse interests will enjoy Holling’s honest perspective on life. They will not only learn about how Shakespeare (and other literature) can teach important lessons, but also about life in the 1960s. If you are a teacher, check out these classroom resources for The Wednesday Wars.
Adults will find a lot to love about this book too. Readers will revisit Shakespearean themes and remember their youth. As a middle grade novel it has the pros of being a quick read for adults while also teaching empathy. For some, it will bring back nostalgic memories of the 1960s. For everyone, it will describe and explain the tense political and social scene of the time. Another pro is that because people of various ages can read it, The Wednesday Wars will foster intergenerational discussions about living through different times and histories, remembering childhood, and fighting to be yourself when that’s not what the world wants. If you or your book club wants to read The Wednesday Wars, check out these book club resources we prepared for you!
We are so excited for everyone to join the Big Read Lakeshore in reading The Wednesday Wars! Come hear from Gary D. Schmidt at the Author Keynote Address November 16 in Graves Hall, Hope College at 7:00 p.m. If you want to learn more about this year’s program or know when our other events are, check out our website.
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