Critical Overview
The Booklist review called The Wednesday Wars “gentle” and
“moving” because of the author’s voice. Kirkus Reviews says that the
novel’s events unfold “in hilarious, heart-wrenching fashion,” and deems the
portrait of the main character’s growth “masterful.” Judging from the extended
review in the Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, Jean Boreen
would agree with all of those points, and add a couple more. Boreen discusses
the plot in some detail and segues from this discussion into an analysis of the
book’s sharp historical eye, suggesting that how the various characters in
The Wednesday Wars dealt with the Vietnam War is historically
accurate. Boreen argues that the novel is pedagogically useful for teaching
children about the period. Hannah Trierweiler also recommends the book for use
in the classroom, but primarily for the portrait of friendship, particularly
that of Holling Hoodhood and Mrs. Baker.
Negative reviews of the novel are not common. However, Joel Shoemaker,
discussing the book for the School Library Journal, found many
weaknesses: the pacing is off, the tone “cloying,” and some of the chapters
overly long. Shoemaker also found the book’s plot unlikely. Shoemaker’s
criticisms, however, are definitely in the minority, as Liz Rosenberg, writing
for the Boston Globe, specifically singled out Schmidt’s voice for
praise (though she too found the pacing off, especially at the novel’s start).
Those criticisms aside, all reviewers have praised the book’s sense of humor,
and the awards committees agreed. The Wednesday Wars was a Newbery
Honor book and a Printz Honor book.
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