The Wednesday Wars

Reach for this book when your middle schooler is beginning to see the flaws in the adults around them or feels pressured by high expectations. It is a brilliant resource for children navigating complex relationships with authority figures, whether that is a teacher who seems to have a grudge or a parent whose love feels conditional on success. Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, the story follows seventh-grader Holling Hoodhood as he discovers that people are far more three-dimensional than they first appear. Through a year of mandatory Shakespeare sessions with his teacher, Holling learns to find his own voice amidst the noise of the 1960s. The novel balances laugh-out-loud humor with poignant moments of growth, dealing with themes of empathy, domestic tension, and the courage required to define oneself. It is a deeply human story that helps kids realize that even the most intimidating adults are often carrying their own heavy burdens.