what happens in the wednesday wars

What does Holling promise to do after he does?

What room does Holling go to?

What happened to Holling in November?

Is Wednesday Wars realistic?

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What is Wednesday wars all about?

The Wednesday Wars is a wonderfully witty and compelling story about a teenage boy's mishaps and adventures over the course of the 1967-68 school year in Long Island, New York. Meet Holling Hoodhood, a seventh-grader at Camillo Junior High, who must spend Wednesday afternoons with his teacher, Mrs.

What happened at the end of the Wednesday wars?

The story ends as Danny completes his bar mitzvah and becomes a man. Holling's father demands Holling define himself and explain where he's headed. Holling bravely but happily admits he doesn't know. He and his classmates share a joyful moment with Mrs.

What is the main problem in the Wednesday wars?

In The Wednesday wars, the most obvious conflict is Holling Hoodhood's inner conflict. First and foremost, Holling struggles with the conflict of standing up to his father at home. By the end of the novel, he is able to do so.

What happened in the beginning of Wednesday wars?

The Wednesday Wars Summary. Holling knows on the first day of seventh grade that his teacher, Mrs. Baker, hates him. She gives him a dark look when she realizes that he's the only Presbyterian student and will therefore be in school on Wednesday afternoons instead of at catechism or Hebrew school.

How did the rats escape in Wednesday wars?

Part 2-Wednesday Wars Then, Holling ruined the cream puffs for the Vietnam soldier wives and after that Holling and Mrs. Baker start reading Shakespeare. Finally, Holling accidentally let the rats loose and then booth of them climb into the radiator to escape and to get warm. Well, that pretty much sums it up.

What POV is Wednesday wars?

Narration/POV: The Wednesday Wars uses a 1st person narrator in the form of Holling Hoodhood.

Who is the antagonist in Wednesday wars?

Christopher SwieteckIn The Wednesday Wars, the main antagonist of the novel is an eighth grader by the name of Christopher Swieteck, the brother of Douglas Swieteck. Christopher is known to bully Holling Hoodhood, the primary protagonist.

What do the strawberries symbolize in The Wednesday Wars?

In The Wednesday Wars, strawberries symbolize love and affection. This is evident in the marriage of Lieutenant Tybalt Baker and his wife Mrs. Baker (Holling's teacher).

What do the cream puffs symbolize in The Wednesday Wars?

Baker deserves to be symbolized by a cream puff, because she is hard and sturdy on the outside. She is rigid and mysterious, not showing any emotions except for rolling her eyes and crossing her arms. But she also deserves the cream puff because she is soft and caring in the inside.

Is Wednesday wars based on a true story?

Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. The Wednesday Wars is a 2007 young adult historical fiction novel written by Gary D. Schmidt, the author of Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy. The novel is set in suburban Long Island during the 1967–68 school year.

Is The Wednesday Wars appropriate?

This is the rare novel that captures the protagonist's seventh grade experience so deftly that it is perfect for current seventh graders. Older/younger students will enjoy it, but 12- and 13-year-olds will appreciate it the most.

How old is Holling in The Wednesday Wars?

thirteen-year-oldHolling Hoodhood is the thirteen-year-old protagonist of the novel. At the beginning of the novel, he wants nothing more than to make it through the school year unscathed, and he fears that everyone is out to get him—especially his teacher, Mrs. Baker, and the hulking eighth-grade bad boy, Doug Swieteck's brother.

How does Holling change in Wednesday wars?

By the end of the book, Holling has become a dedicated cross country runner. Although he starts out running simply because he's told to, he eventually learns to take the sport seriously and train for a performance he can be proud of.

What lesson did Holling learn in The Wednesday Wars?

Holling's conflict with Mrs. Baker causes Holling to learn lessons about independence; that he is his own person and can decide his own fate, as well as the fact that he can do anything if he really puts his mind to it.

What happened in April Wednesday wars?

In "April", Holling makes the cross country team, and Mrs. Baker learns that the Marines are headed into Khesanh to find missing soldiers, like her husband.

Is there a sequel to The Wednesday Wars?

Okay for Now is a children's novel by Gary D. Schmidt, published in 2011. It is a companion to Schmidt's 2007 novel The Wednesday Wars and features one of its supporting characters, Doug Swieteck.

The Wednesday Wars Summary and Study Guide | SuperSummary

Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of “The Wednesday Wars” by Gary D. Schmidt. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.

The Wednesday Wars Summary & Study Guide - www.BookRags.com

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt is a coming of age story about a young man, Holling Hoodhood, who learns over the course of his seventh grade year that there is more to life than what he sees in his own world.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt Plot Summary | LitCharts

Holling knows on the first day of seventh grade that his teacher, Mrs. Baker, hates him.She gives him a dark look when she realizes that he's the only Presbyterian student and will therefore be in school on Wednesday afternoons instead of at catechism or Hebrew school.

The Wednesday Wars Chapter Summaries - eNotes.com

Wednesday Wars is narrated by the protagonist, Holling Hoodhood. By using this first person device, the author gives the reader an in-depth view of what is going on in Holling's mind. In the ...

What college did Schmidt go to?

He only began to thrive in school when a concerned teacher stepped in and fostered a love of reading. Schmidt attended Gordon College, where he earned an English degree in 1979. He then earned a master's degree and a PhD in medieval literature in 1985.

What happened on April 4 1968?

Also during this time, American youth and minorities were involved in protesting for civil rights, and many of those conflicts came to head in 1968. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, sparking violent protests in a number of American cities. Key Facts about The Wednesday Wars. Full Title: The Wednesday Wars.

Where was Gary Schmidt born?

Brief Biography of Gary Schmidt. Gary Schmidt was born in a small town on Long Island called Hicksville. Various parts of The Wednesday Wars are autobiographical and based on his experience growing up in Hicksville, New York: his seventh grade teacher had pet rats, his teacher stressed the importance of diagramming sentences, ...

Why did the US invade Vietnam?

The United States invaded Vietnam in order to prevent the spread of Communism, as espoused by the northern Communist regime known as the Viet Cong. By 1967, when Holling's story starts, a third of the US population, most of them young people, believed that the US was misguided in its involvement in the war.

Is Holling Hoodhood a weird name?

Nobody Has Names Like That. Initially, Gary Schmidt's editor tried to reject Holling Hoodhood's name on the grounds that it was too weird, despite the fact that "Holling" is a nod to the mid-20th century children's author Holling C. Holling, and "Hoodhood" is the last name of one of Schmidt's son's friends.

Is Wednesday Wars autobiographical?

Autobiographical, With a Twist. The premise of The Wednesday Wars is mostly autobiographical: Like Holling, author Gary Schmidt spent afternoons alone with his teacher, Mrs. Baker, while his classmates were at Hebrew school or catechism.

Who is the author of Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy?

He married his wife, fellow author Anne Stickney Schmidt, in 1979, and the two had six children. They also co-wrote a book about prayer, religion, and writing. Anne died in 2013. Two of Schmidt's novels, Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy and The Wednesday Wars, won the Newbery Honor, which recognizes exceptional children's literature.

What happens when Holling brings up a person?

Whenever Holling brings up a particular person, his father breaks down who the person is, as well as their status; if they're someone who owns a business, Mr. Hoodhood demands Holling to be respectful at all times. This causes a strained relationship between Holling and his father.

What is Holling convinced of?

Holling is convinced that Mrs. Baker resents him for this. This suspicion is compounded when she begins having him read Shakespeare. As he begins to enjoy the plays, though, he also begins to understand Mrs. Baker, whose husband, he learns, is stationed in Vietnam .

What is Cronkite's role in the movie?

Cronkite is presented as the voice of the people, with the ability to sway Americans to a particular side. The plot follows a steady, progression-focused format, lacking any clear climax. Instead, it simply follows Holling as he struggles through school, forms friends out of supposed enemies, and tries to grow up.

What is the Wednesday Wars?

The Wednesday Wars is a 2007 young adult historical fiction novel written by Gary D. Schmidt, the author of Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy. The novel is set in suburban Long Island during the 1967–68 school year. The Vietnam War is an important backdrop for the novel. It was given a Newbery Honor medal in 2008, ...

Who is Doug Swieteck in Okay for Now?

The novel Okay for Now features Holling's friend and classmate Doug Swieteck as the main character . Holling appears in the first chapter of the novel to say goodbye to Swieteck, who is about to move.

When will Just Like That be released?

Just Like That, released in January 2021, features Meryl Lee Kowalski as its main character. The book takes place after Holling's sudden death.

When was the Wednesday Wars adapted?

Other adaptations. The Wednesday Wars was adapted into a play by Kirsten Kelly in 2011. It was performed at Calvin University, where Gary D. Schmidt works as a teacher, by the Calvin Theater Company.

How many cream puffs does Holling bring in?

On Wednesday, Holling's classmates are murderous when he brings in only five cream puffs. However, when the class returns from recess, there's a box from Goldman's Best Bakery filled with two dozen cream puffs. Mrs. Baker explains that Holling was playing a joke on everyone.

What is Holling's assessment of Caliban?

Holling's assessment of Caliban shows that Holling thinks of people as being very black and white—one is either a monster or a hero; there's no middle ground. This offers the reader a starting point to track Holling's maturation, as this is a very simplistic and childish view. In contrast, Mrs. Baker's suggestions represent a more adult and nuanced view of the world. Further, Mrs. Baker can apply what she learned from the play to the real world, which is something that Holling hasn't yet done.

What does Holling call Quatrini?

As Coach Quatrini berates the students to run faster, Holling calls him a “pied ninny” under his breath. Doug Swieteck's brother hears and asks Holling what it means. Holling fumbles before saying that it means someone was stupid and ate a bunch of pies. Doug's brother thanks Holling and runs off.

What does Holling say about Shakespeare?

He says that Shakespeare is wrong, and sometimes there isn't someone like Prospero to fix things. Sometimes there is no mercy. With this assessment, Holling shows that he believes the real world isn't reflected in Shakespeare's plays. Over the course of the novel, however, Holling’s perspective will shift.

How does Holling learn curses?

Holling decides to learn them all by heart, so he practices them in his bedroom every night after supper. By the second week of practicing, Holling feels he's perfected several curses. On Tuesday night, Holling's dad and mother knock on the door, but both leave when he say he's practicing a speech for Mrs. Baker.

Why is Holling willing to bend the truth?

The fact that Holling is willing to bend the truth here to keep doing what he wants to do (prac ticing Caliban’ s curses) shows that he's already starting to give weight to his own desires rather than immediately bending over backwards for other people. This shows that Holling is beginning to grow up and value his own thoughts, opinions, and passions.

What does Holling's positive assessment of his day show?

Further, Holling's positive assessment of his day shows that his perspective on reading Shakespeare is shifting, and it's no longer a boring chore. However, as Holling limps past Goldman's Best Bakery, he notices cream puffs in the window and remembers that he owes his class cream puffs.

What does Holling think of Mantle?

Holling thinks that Mantle looks huge as he watches him sign Danny 's baseball. Holling approaches the table, holds out his ball, and in a whisper, asks Mantle to sign his ball. Mantle takes the ball, looks at Holling, and asks what he's supposed to be, since he looks like a fairy.

Why doesn't Holling want to tell the readers where the feathers are?

The fact that Holling didn't want to tell the readers where the feathers are reinforces his embarrassment about the costume, which in turn reinforces his youthfulness. He doesn't see this costume or role as an honor in the least; he just feels as though he has no choice at this point. Unlock. Unlock with LitCharts A+.

Why does Holling go upstairs?

Goldman where he's been and what just transpired. He leaves his tights in a locker and the Hupfers drive Holling home. His parents are still watching Bing Cosby's Christmas special, and his dad comments that Holling is done early. He makes Holling assure him that Mr. Goldman was happy with Holling's performance. Holling goes upstairs to feel sorry for himself in peace.

What does the kindness of Joe Pepitone and Horace Clarke show the boys?

Just as the Hupfers and the bus driver were so kind to Holling, the kindness that Joe Pepitone and Horace Clarke show the boys reinforces the idea that kindness and community can be found in unexpected places outside of one's blood family. This experience also shows Holling feeling better about letting go of his idolization of Mickey Mantle, now that he has new and far more worthy "gods" to look up to.

What is Holling's emotional reaction to changing how he says his lines?

Holling's emotional reaction to changing how he says his lines tells the reader that even if Holling doesn't want to admit it, he does like performing and feels a connection to the play. However, this personal revelation isn't enough to take away his embarrassment, hence lying to his classmates about the runtime of the play. Essentially, he's trying to give more weight to the legend of Mickey Mantle than to Shakespeare, playing into his classmates’ preexisting biases.

What is Heather concerned about in the movie?

Heather is the only one who expresses concern, though she's mostly concerned about news of the tights getting to the high school and ruining her reputation . On the night of the first dress rehearsal, Holling is mortified when the entire cast applauds when they see the tights.

What does the bus driver's kindness show in the book?

Here, the bus driver's kindness shows Holling that other people in the world have an amazing capacity for kindness and care—unlike his own father. This begins to develop Holling's sense of being part of a community that's greater even than his school community.

Why does Holling read his classmates' smiles?

Again, it's impossible to know, but it's likely that Holling feeling like a hero himself causes him to read his classmates' smiles like this.

What does it mean when Holling saves his sister?

When Holling saves his sister without even a second thought for his own safety, it suggests that there's more camaraderie and loyalty between the siblings than Holling has let on thus far: he must truly care for her to risk his life to save her like this. Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Guareschi demonstrate how much they care about their students’ wellbeing, given that they lead Holling's transport to the emergency room. Mrs. Baker's power is also evident when she makes even the penitentiary crowd help her move Holling.

What does Holling decide to suggest to his dad at supper?

or sign in. Holling decides to suggest the military institute to his dad at supper. His dad announces that the town decided to build a new junior high school, and they asked Hoodhood and Associates to submit a proposal.

What happens when Doug's brother comes by again?

Something snaps in Holling as he watches, and when he sees Doug's brother coming by again, Holling prepares a snowball. When the bus passes, Holling's snowball meets Doug's brother's face perfectly, and Holling is safe in his classroom before Doug's brother even gets the snow out of his eyes.

Why did Doug stand up to his brother?

When Doug stood up to his brother to try to protect Holling, it suggests that Doug's home life might be not all that different from Holling's. Doug also seems to feel far more loyalty and connection to his friends at school than his blood family at home. Connecting this situation to Macbeth shows Holling using the play to make sense of his reality.

Why is Holling excluded from the conversation?

Holling is completely excluded from this conversation, which shows how his family does not give him a voice to stand up for himself or argue for what he believes in. Again, this stems from the fact that Holling stands to inherit the family business, not his sister, which gives her more power and freedom to push back without consequences.

What does Holling listen to in bed?

In bed that night, Holling listens to the rain, which by morning, turns to ice that covers the town. When Holling walks to school, he discovers that he can slide on the ice and "ski," especially since there are no cars out.

How does Holling convince his mother to drive him?

Holling grabs the keys to the Mustang and tries to convince his mother to drive them . When she refuses, he goes and sits in the car for a minute. His mother taught him how to drive, but only in parking lots. Holling comes back into the house and sits down.

Why does Holling leave his VW bug in the driveway?

Every night after the news, he takes Holling's mother for a drive, and leaves it parked in the driveway so Chit can't park his VW bug there during the day. Holling wonders if the car was actually any comfort, though, when Heather leaves for California to "find herself.".

What does Holling say about the end of Hamlet?

Holling tells the reader about the end of Hamlet: everyone is dead , and it's hard to believe that Hamlet will find rest in death. He wonders if Hamlet should've stopped trying to find himself, and just let someone else find him. On the last Wednesday of May, Mrs. Sidman brings Mrs. Baker a telegram. Mrs. Baker shakily opens it and reads, "sweet eyes…stop." She makes a happy sound that Holling says is the happiest sound he's ever heard. Mrs. Sidman leads Mrs. Baker to get a drink of water, and Holling reads the rest of the telegram. It's from Lieutenant Baker himself, saying he'll be home in time for strawberries.

Why does Holling's mother refuse to drive him?

Again, Holling's mother's refusal to drive him, even in light of her very clear emotions and feelings about the whole situation, suggests that she's afraid of her husband—meaning that the relationship between Holling's parents is more dysfunctional than Holling ever let on. This again shows how limited Holling's perspective is; he cares more about how his dad treats him than he does about the particulars of his parents' relationship. Once again, Holling has to rely on his chosen family for help and support.

What happens in Hamlet and the Perfect House?

The Perfect House becomes quiet, and Holling's dad stops watering the azaleas. His mother stops cooking lima beans, and they all stop talking. Holling describes the silence as being very similar to what happens in Hamlet. Holling finds Hamlet boring and slow, so he starts skipping over the boring monologues. Meryl Lee finds this a questionable strategy, but Holling is so convinced of his genius he even admits his reading strategy to Mrs. Baker. She insists there are no boring parts in Shakespeare and tells him to read it again.

What does it mean when Holling wonders about the eighth grade gene?

When Holling wonders about the eighth grade gene, it indicates that he still thinks of some people as being one-dimensional. Thinking of the eighth graders as having a gene that makes them mean, rather than thinking of them as jealous or insecure human beings, is a way for Holling to ignore that they do have feelings and are people as well.

How long after Shakespeare was published is Holling learning?

Just as Holling learns that Shakespeare is relevant to him, almost 400 years after the plays were first published, he now learns that these buildings are still relevant hundreds of years after they were built.

What does it mean when Holling turns to Meryl Lee?

When Holling gives his turn to Meryl Lee, it indicates that he's beginning to prioritize others over himself, which is another way that demonstrates his coming of age. It shows also that he's thinking more about the wellbeing of his greater community, suggesting that his classmates have given him a better understanding of family and community than his own blood family has.

Why does Holling send Lieutenant Baker to wash the dishes?

Baker's smile in the midst of the setbacks illustrates the power of family and of love: just knowing Lieutenant Baker is coming back is enough to give her an unflappable positive attitude , unlike poor Mrs. Sidman.

What does Holling do when he leads Heather to the Catholic church?

When Holling leads Heather to the Catholic church, it shows that he's experimenting with looking outside his own Presbyterian church community to find comfort and human connection. This emphasizes the way that his limited worldview is broadening as he matures. In addition, it seems that his assertion about giving up on his Presbyterian faith if he hadn’t heard good news about Lieutenant Baker might also apply to his family life. Perhaps Holling would have given up on his family, too, if he hadn’t heard good news about Heather being safe and wanting to come home.

How long does it take for Holling to sign up for the draft?

When Holling recognizes that he'll have to sign up for the draft in five years, he shows that he understands that the war does affect him and has the power to change his life. In this way, Holling is truly coming of age, as he now feels connected to not just his local community, but the world at large.

What does Holling's self-assuredness mean?

Holling's self-assuredness is comical and implies that something bad is, in fact, going to happen. The fact that Mrs. Baker has to remind Holling of this shows that he's still naïve and young, and even though they do view each other more as equals now, Mrs. Baker is still an authority figure and a mentor.

Does Holling give up his control over his narration?

Even though Holling refuses to give up his control over his narration , he now challenges the reader to come to his or her own conclusions about what happens. Of course, it is fairly clear that Holling is just embarrassed to tell the reader that Lieutenant Baker and Mrs. Baker kissed.

Who wash the pots in the movie?

Holling and Meryl Lee again wash the pots, and they're still at the river when Mrs. Bigio and Mai Thi arrive to wash the knives. Mrs. Bigio tells Mai Thi that she's late arriving at camp because she was at the Catholic Relief Agency. Mrs.

What does Holling promise to do after he does?

After he does, she has him go outside to clean more erasers, promising Holling a cream puff as a reward if he does a good job. He does—but the chalk dust drifts through an open window to settle on the cream puffs. Holling does not say anything, and the charity members who eat the puffs all get sick.

What room does Holling go to?

Holling, the only student in his school who isn’t Catholic or Jewish, is sent to Mrs. Baker’s room while the others attend catechism or Hebrew school on Wednesdays afternoons. Mrs. Baker assigns Holling busywork on Wednesdays.

What happened to Holling in November?

In November, Holling’s life continues its up-and-down pattern. At home, water leaks through the roof, rotting the ceiling of the “Perfect House,” designed by his father. At school, he is assigned to sing soprano—and to read The Tempest. The first leads to growing closer to Meryl Lee; the second lands him the part of Ariel in a production of Shakespeare, which wins him some free cream puffs.

Is Wednesday Wars realistic?

The Wednesday Wars is a young adult novel that is amazingly realistic on one hand—and amazingly unbelievable on the other. The realism comes from the skill with which Gary D. Schmidt realizes main character Holling Hoodhood and his sufferings in junior high.

Overview

Plot

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Publication history

Other adaptations

Critical reception

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