Member: SHARONTHEIL

Sharon

I know you like Newbery Award winning books. I just finished a gem and thought you might be interested. If you haven't read Getting Near to Baby, I highly recommend it.

posted by Whisper1 at 3:30 pm (EST) on Oct 2, 2009

Of course you can call me Linda...

Here is my review of this incredible book. It really should have been a Newbery Medal winner instead of the honor book.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt.

Have you ever read a book wherein you cried from one sentence, and then laughed at the next?
Have you ever read a book wherein you simply did not want it to end?
Have you ever read a book wherein the characters were so beautifully portrayed that you wanted them as real-life friends?
Have you ever read a book where the writing was magical, the story line so convincingly incredible that you knew it was destined to be one of your top all-time favorites ... ever?
Gary Schmidt has written such a book!

Praise should not be given lightly, rendering the message meaningless. Thus, rarely do I gush or stand on a soap box telling all to read a specific book, but this is an exception.

RUSH to get it, but then slowly read it, savoring every word, every nuance, every turn of the phrase and every heartwarming paragraph.

Welcome to 1967 where Holling Hoodhood is entering Mrs. Baker's seventh grade class at Camillo Junior High in Long Island, NY. The only Presbyterian in Wednesday class, he must stay behind with Mrs. Baker while all others either attend catechism or Hebrew school.

What unfolds is quite surprising to Holling as originally he was convinced Mrs. Baker hated him. He soon discovers a magical, wonderful mentor who instills a love of Shakespeare. Soon Holling is quoting verbatim and applying the emotions set forth by Shakespeare to his own real life, coming- of-age situations.

The cast of characters includes some bullies, some meanies, and many stellar remarkable people. Using Viet Nam as a backdrop, Schmidt allows us to see the impact on Holling's family, and his teachers, as both Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Bigio, the school cook, have husbands who are fighting in the Viet Nam jungle.

Without over politicizing, Schmidt makes a statement as we watch L.B. Johnson escalate the war while families watch the six o'clock news with Walter Cronkite.

Through Holling's eyes, we observe the character of a classmate, Mai Thi, A Viet Nam refugee, who becomes a scapegoat and victim of stereotyping.

As Holling not only learns Shakespeare, he garners valuable experiences, and as the year progresses, he learns to stand up for himself -- and in the process gains enough confidence to stand up for others.

Thanks to Alaskabookworm (Linda) and Stasia for recommending this 2008 Newbery Honor book. The only disappointment I have is that it was an honor book when truly, it should have received the medal!

posted by Whisper1 at 4:43 pm (EST) on Sep 26, 2009