The Wednesday Wars

Ever felt like you're stuck with someone who just doesn't get you? Imagine being the only kid left with your teacher every Wednesday afternoon. That's Holling Hoodhood's reality, and he's convinced Mrs. Baker has it in for him. This is his story of surviving seventh grade. You'll discover how their dreaded Wednesday sessions, filled with reading Shakespeare, unexpectedly transform into a surprising friendship. Learn how Holling navigates family drama, first love, and the turmoil of the Vietnam War era, finding his own voice and courage in the most unlikely of places.

Gary D. Schmidt is a two-time Newbery Honor-winning author and professor of English at Calvin University, where he has taught for over thirty years. His deep engagement with literature and history, particularly the Vietnam War era, provides the rich, authentic backdrop for Holling Hoodhood’s transformative year. Schmidt combines meticulous research with a profound understanding of the adolescent heart, creating stories that are both historically resonant and deeply personal, exploring how we find ourselves through literature, art, and unexpected friendships.