The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

Reading Sarah Schutte's article "A Love Letter to Shakespeare" inspired me to read The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt. The book follows seventh-grade Holling Hoodhood in 1968. As neither a Jew nor a Catholic, he has to stay in class with Mrs. Baker when the others go to their religious classes. After initially giving him chores, Mrs. Baker decides they will read Shakespeare.

Convinced Mrs. Baker hates him, Holling describes a year which includes the deaths of MLK and Bobby Kennedy as well as the upheavals caused at the height of the Vietnam War. As he falls in love with Shakespeare and works to understand "what it means to be human," Holling weaves an enchanting tale involving near-death experiences, a girlfriend, grief, miracles, and Shakespearian curses.

This young adult novel is an easy and engaging read. Definitely worth the time.