The Wednesday Wars

The Wednesday Wars
Gary D. Schmidt
272 pgs
Sandpiper (2009)
Subject Matter: religion, track, school, rats, creampuffs, Shakespeare

Holling creates a problem for Mrs. Baker right from the start. He is not of one of the main religions in his school and therefore has to stay in his home room while the rest of his classmates go to release times. At first Mrs. Baker tries to pawn him off to other teachers so that she may have a break from students for a hour. As the year goes on and Holling can no longer clean the erasers and he lets the rats of the cage when cleaning Mrs. Baker takes a special interest in him and they become quite good friends. She introduces Holling to Shakespeare which results in him playing a part in the Shakespeare festival. She arranges a meeting between Holling and the New York Yankees and saves and architecture firm from going under as she finds work for them. As her and Holling spend more time together Holling learns some secrets about this teacher that has her class under such strict demand.

Review: A touching teacher/student book of relationships and how they aren't always as bad as they seem to be at first.

Now You Know: Nothing in this book is bad.