THE WEDNESDAY WARS

In the period of the Vietnam War, Holling Hoodhood starts his seventh-grade year at odds with his teacher, Mrs. Baker. Wednesday afternoons are their private time together, and the pastimes are many—from clapping erasers to dissecting various Shakespeare plays. Through Holling, his family, and his school compatriots, Schmidt takes clichés such as perfect families, battle-ax teachers, and incorrigible students and makes them original. Joel Johnstone’s narration gains potency from his even voice and pacing. Moments poignant with lost chances for understanding, such as those between Holling’s father and sister, are as vivid as those of humor. Listen, laugh, cry, and marvel at the goodness of humankind. A.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 07]