The Wednesday Wars Study Guide – Flashcards
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Gary D. Schmidt
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—Author of The Wednesday Wars —award-winning writer of more than 30 books.
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Holling Hoodhood
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—PROTAGONIST —7th grade boy at Camillo Junior High —the only student in seventh grade at Camillo Jr. High who does not attend an off-campus religious class during the last period of school on Wednesdays —nervous and paranoid about people in his school (He thinks everyone is out to get him) —eventually he forms a strong bond with his teacher. —Holling is a huge Yankee fan (his teacher is also)
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Mr. Hoodhood
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—Holling's father —a very ambitious architect. —always cought up in politics. —He wants what is best for the government and for his job. —His architectural firm is Hoodhood and associates.
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Heather Hoodhood
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—Holling's older sister —a would-be social revolutionary. —mean —doesn't agree with anything Mr. Hoodhood says —She has a strong belief in freedom (Hippie)
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Mrs. Baker
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—Holling's strict English teacher and foe (later friend). —reads Shakespeare with Holling on Wednesdays. —at first appears to be mean and cruel —later she approaches Holling as a nice lady.
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Mrs. Sidman
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—teacher/administrator with bright red/orange hair at Camillo Jr. High School —had bad luck with getting things spilled/sprayed onto her. —was pranked by Doug Swieteck which made her resign as a teacher (he turned her hair red/orange)
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Doug Swieteck
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—another seventh grader at Camillo Jr. High School (classmate of Holling) —acquaintance of Holling Hoodhood's —tries to cause trouble —made a list of "410 ways to get a teacher to hate you." —also loves the Yankees —a kid who constantly can't control his actions and gets into trouble.
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Meryl Lee Kowalski
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—a seventh grader who has crushed on Holling forever (according to Holling she told him she had loved him since third grade) —One of Holling's classmates and friends —a constant supporter of Holling in all of his endeavors from his Shakespeare plays to his cross country meets. —Meryl's father owns an architectural company that is the rival of Holling's father's company. —she tends to be rude to Holling because he shows no affection what-so-ever to her.
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Danny Hupfer
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—another seventh grader (classmate of Holling) —one of Holling's friends. —starts out as a seemingly "fair-weather" friend, but becomes one of Holling's closest friends by the end of the book —stands up for Holling at the baseball signing by Mickey Mantle when he witnesses Mickey mantle being a jerk to Hollings because of his costume (he gives his signed ball back). —stands up for Mai Thi when someone makes fun of her for being Vietnamese.
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Mai Thi
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—a Vietnamese girl sponsored by the Catholic Relief Agency. — A Vietnamese student in Mrs. Baker's class who comes to the United States through the Catholic Relief Agency to escape the Vietnam War —She knows very little English —the students are accepting of her at first. —However, when Mrs. Bigio's husband dies fighting in Vietnam, she starts acting mean toward this student.
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Mrs. Bigio
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—the school cafeteria worker who bakes cream puffs. —her husband dies fighting in the Vietnam War. —after her husband dies she starts being mean to Mai Thi —In the end she shows that she is a much better person by being really nice to Mai Thi and by treating her like family.
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September: —What is the setting of the novel?
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Setting = September, 1967 through June 1968 on Long Island, in an unspecified town —Camillo Jr. High (especially Mrs. Baker's classroom) —Holling Hoodhood's house (the "Perfect House") —more generally, Vietnam War-era USA
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September: —What are your first impressions of the following characters: Holling Hoodhood, Mrs. Baker, Mr. Hoodhood, and Mr. Guareschi?
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First Impressions: —Holling Hoodhood —Mrs. Baker —Mr. Hoodhood —Mr. Guareschi
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September: —Holling uses the word "perfect" a lot when describing his house, why do you think he does this? —Describe the irony.
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—Why does Holling use "perfect" as a descriptor for his house: —What is the irony of this:
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September: —Holling likes to read, and he mentions several books that he enjoys. —With which character from Treasure Island does Holling identify, and why?
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—Books Holling enjoys: —Treasure Island Character with whom Holling identifies: —Reason for this identification:
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September: —Explain why Holling has to spend Wednesday afternoons alone with Mrs. Baker. —What does he think Mrs. Baker is planning?
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—Why Wednesdays with Mrs. Baker: —What are Holling's suspicions about her:
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September: —Who is Lieutenant Tybalt Baker, and where is he going?
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—Tybalt Baker = —He is going to
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October: —What happens to the cream puffs? —Why doesn't Holling tell anyone about them?
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—What happens to cream puffs: —Why not squeal:
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October: —On page 37, Heather said, "I want support for believing in something bigger than me." What was she referring to?
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—To what was Heather referring:
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October: —Who are Sycorax and Caliban? —What happens to them?
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—Sycorax and Caliban are the two "pet" rats belonging to Mrs. Baker; they are named after two characters in William Shakespeare's play "The Tempest." —
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October: —Which Shakespearean play does Holling read first? —What does Holling think Mrs. Baker's intentions are in getting him to read this play? —Does he think she succeeds?
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—1st play they read = The Tempest. — —
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December: —How does Holling's performance go? —List the events that happen between the end of his performance and his arrival at the Baker Sporting Emporium. —What do Danny Hupfer's actions during the incident at the Baker Sporting Emporium tell you about him? —How do you feel about Holling's parents not watching his performance? —How does Holling seem to feel?
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—Performance: —Events: —Hupfer's actions: —Holling's parents: —Holling's feelings:
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March: —Mrs. Baker's classroom is visited by the school board. —First, Holling recites Shakespeare (p. 174). —Please interpret the poem. —Second, what unexpected event interrupted the inspection and how did everyone in the room react?
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—Interpretation of Poem: —Unexpected Event: —Reaction:
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April: —Describe the events that happen on the New York Yankees Opening Day. —What do you think Mrs. Baker wanted to talk with the boss about?
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Events: Mrs. Baker:
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May: —Holling feels that several people need comforting at the beginning of this chapter. —Name the reason for each of the following characters: a. Mrs. Sidman b. The eighth grade cross country runners c. Mr. Hoodhood
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—Mrs. Sidman: —8th grade runners: —Mr. Hoodhood
