Written By: Gary Schmidt
Schmidt, G. (2007). The Wednesday Wars. Clarion Books.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended grades: 6th-8th grades
Awards: Newbery Honor Book 2008
Summary: Holling Hoodhood is the only student left at school on Wednesday afternoons and he knows that his teacher, Mrs. Baker, hates him for it. Throughout the book Holling has to make life changing decisions as he comes into his own. This book is set on Long Island in 1967-1968 during the Vietnam War.
Personal Reflection: This book was an amazing book that should be read no matter your age. This historical fiction book will appeal to many readers including boys as the protagonist is a boy. Educators understand that there are not many books geared for boys as they reach middle-school. This book will excite the reader as they dive into Holling’s trials and tribulations. I enjoyed the uniqueness of its setting. I found myself comparing and contrasting how his childhood differed from mine and how it differs from children today. Although there are many differences, it is interesting to see what has stayed to same.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book for library purchase because its theme of growing up is universal. Because the book is set in 1967/1968, students will be engaged between the differences and similarities children and families face compared to present day.
Al Capone Does My Shirts
Written by: Gennifer Choldenko
Choldenko, G. (2004). Al Capone does my shirts. New York: Putnam.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended grades: 4th – 7th grades
Awards: Newbery Honor
Summary: Set in 1935, Moose Flannagan moves to Alcatraz with his family so that his sister, Natalie, can attend a special school. Piper, the warden’s daughter, lures Moose into her secret cleaning service in which students give them clothes to be washed at Alcatraz by the inmates, Al Capone being one of them.
Personal Reflection: Choldenko does a great job at integrating historical elements of Alcatraz and Al Capone with traditional storytelling. As an educator, I would use this book to illustrate empathy for others as Moose has to take care of his sister after school. The protagonist in Al Capone Does My Shirts is a boy which will appeal to both boy and girl readers. The famous mobster connection also leads to its popularity with young readers.
Recommendation: I would highly recommend this book for library purchase because it’s a hilarious story that will appeal to all readers.
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