The Wednesday Wars | Gary D. Schmidt

Holling Hoodhood isn't sure he'll survive the school year. He's just started seventh grade with Mrs. Baker, a teacher he knows is out to get him. Why else would she make him read Shakespeare...outside of class?

The year is 1967, and he has bigger issues to worry about: the war going on in Vietnam, for one, and the Hoodhood family business, which - according to Holling's father - is more important than anything else. The Hoodhoods must be on their best behavior at all times; the success of Hoodhood and Associates depends on it. But how can Holling stay out of trouble when he has Mrs. Baker to contend with?