Author: Gary D. Schmidt
Reading Level: middle-grade and up (I'd recommend for upper-middle grade)
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
Content Rating: PG (no language or other concerns, but the content is a bit more mature as it is a coming-of-age type novel)
Tidbit: In this coming-of-age story, 7th-grader Holling Hoodhood tries to navigate his life with his work-obsessed father, his on-the-sidelines mother, his flower-child sister, and his teacher Mrs. Baker, who he is pretty sure hates him; while also figuring out life during the political unrest of the Vietnam War and Civil Rights issues in America.
Fun Quote: "I never thought being in seventh grade would mean so many death threats."
This book was nowhere on my radar until I
saw a popular bookstagrammer share her top 10 most recommended books.
I'm SO glad I stumbled upon that post, because this book is an absolute
gem! I'm almost 100% sure it'll make my top 10 list for this year. I
loved it!
This
coming-of-age story follows Holling Hoodhood, a 7th grader at Camillo
Junior High on Long Island. It's the Fall of 1967, and between the
Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement, there is a lot of turmoil.
But Holling's more immediate concern is how he going to survive Mrs.
Baker's class on Wednesday afternoons when he is the only student who
has neither Catechism nor Hebrew Class. Holling is pretty sure she hates
him for that.
Meanwhile,
at home, he is trying to navigate the "perfect house," built by his
architect father who can build houses but not homes; his high school
sister who wants peace and not war; and a mom who watches from the
sidelines. Yet in the middle of all this, Holling will learn about love,
friendship, forgiveness, miracles, hope, and Shakespeare.
I
can't even explain how much I loved this book. I laughed out loud so
many times. And I FELT so much. If you haven't read it, it is 100%
worth your time. No content concerns, but it feels more mature in terms
of understanding and relatability, so I recommend for 12 and up.
No comments:
Post a Comment