by Gary D. Schmidt
Clarion Books, 2007. 264 pgs.
Reading Level: ages ages 9-12
Hardcover: $17.00
Annotation: Because Mrs. Baker hates his guts, Holling Hoodhood is being forced to study Shakespeare with her every Wednesday.
Summary: It's the turbulent 60's on Long Island and Holling Hoodhood is an average presbyterian in a town full of Catholics and Jews. He's in Mrs. Baker's class this year and while the rest of the students are off at Catechism or studying for their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Holling must stay indoors with Mrs. Baker. The problem is that Mrs. Baker hates his guts and forces him to read Shakespeare plays with her to pass the time. As the town struggles with the Vietnam War, Holling struggles with his family, his dislike of Shakespeare and his feelings about Mrs. Baker. But, there might be more to Mrs. Baker than meets the eye as she gets him a part in a Shakespeare play, introduces him to some Yankee baseball players and serves as his running coach--having been an Olympic athlete herself. Holling finds that afterall, Shakespeare might have something to say about life and comes to understand and even like the guy, afterall he seems to understand what love and life are all about.
Evaluation: It's a brilliant coming-of-age story set during a difficult time in America's history and a book that everyone, and I mean everyone, should read. Each month of Holling's seventh grade year is a successive chapter in the book and so the reader moves along with Holling as he encounters a new adventure in his confusing life. Mrs. Baker is an absolute gem and teachers everywhere will delight in the fact that Schmidt presents her/them in such a glorious light. She is a friend, mentor, confidant and coach and the relationship between the two is genuinely touching. The book is engaging, inspiring and Holling is a character to love and commiserate with as he manuevers through what is often a very complicated time of life. The book tackles real life with equal parts humor and wisdom and I'm convinced Schmidt is a genius.
Significance: Schmidt deals with a multitude of real life situations. He discusses the difficulties inherent in the hatred and misunderstanding of the Vietnam War, real conflict between family members, a teacher who seems out to get you and the travails of middle school--when all you want to do is get through it unnoticed and without incidence.
Personal Choice: I'd heard rave reviews from friends and colleagues and being a Shakespeare fan myself, was extremely curious too see how the author would make the great man paletable to a younger audience.
Awards: Newbery Honor, 2008
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