In the year 1967, on Wednesday afternoons, Holling Hoodhood's classmates are dismissed from school to either go to Catechism or Hebrew school, but Holling, being a Presbyterian, must stay behind with his seventh grade English teacher, Mrs. Baker. It seems like Mrs. Baker hates him. Her hatred toward him is confirmed as she has him clap all the teachers' erasers, clean out the rats' cage (which escape into the school's walls!) and then ultimately, read Shakespeare assignments on Wednesday afternoons.
As he endures junior high teasing and a selfish, cold father, Holling begins to realize that a person comprises more than just what one sees initially.
Readers will laugh out at the situations Holling finds himself in and also admire how he develops into a considerate and confident young man.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Topics to discuss: Vietnam War, prejudice, Jew and Catholicism, the 1960's, Shakespeare's writings/plays, his sister runs away with an older boy for a bit, the father is distant and selfish.
Library categorizes this book as "young adult".
**Pair with Okay for Now by Gary. D. Schmidt.
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