The Wednesday Wars, by Gary D. Schmidt

For my very first review on this blog, I thought it would be fitting to choose a book that has truly changed my life. So of course, I'm reviewing The Wednesday Wars, by Gary D. Schmidt. I'll start off by saying that I give this book an unconditional 5 stars. There honestly isn't anything I don't like about it. But why? you ask. Well, I am here to tell you.

From Goodreads: "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 to contend with? 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."

That's a pretty okay blurb, but as usual, it doesn't quite convey how wonderful this book is. It's primarily a book about relationships, told from the perspective of a seventh grade boy who is trying to figure out who he is and how he fits into his family and what it means to be a friend. It's one of those brilliant books that is incredibly deep without trying too hard. It's a book about how life teaches us and about growth. One thing I particularly love about this book is the way that it captures what it's like to be a teenager in difficult circumstances. It's one of those brilliant historical fiction novels that avoids the pitfall of feeling like a badly disguised textbook and instead leaves you feeling as though you've lived in the time period it was set in. Beyond all that, it's one of the funniest books ever written. 

Honestly, the best way I can think of to explain how much this book means to me is just to tell you that I cried through writing this review. It's a beautiful book, and it has helped me to live a more beautiful life.

If you have ever been a teenager, if you want to understand history, if you love or want to love Shakespeare, if you want to laugh until you can't breathe, I recommend this book. In fact, I recommend it to everyone. 

“A comedy isn't about being funny," said Mrs. Baker. 

"We talked about this before."

"A comedy is about a character who dares to know that they may choose a happy ending after all. That's how I know."

"Suppose you can't see it?"

"That's the daring part," said Mrs. Baker.” -The Wednesday Wars

Until next time,

Rachel