Character
Who is the narrator of The Wednesday Wars?
Holling Hoodhood
Why does Holling think Mrs. Baker dislikes him?
She makes him stay at school while the other students leave for religious classes
What does Holling's description of his family suggest about his relationship with them?
He is very aware of his family's expectations.
How would you describe the relationship between Holling and Mrs. Baker at the beginning of the novel?
Possible answer: Holling interprets Mrs. Baker's behavior as dislike because he is left alone with her on Wednesday afternoons. He assumes there must be a reason she doesn't like him.
What grade is Holling in?
7th
What do the other students do on Wednesday afternoons?
Attend religious education classes
What can you infer about Holling's personality from Chapter 1?
Possible traits:
What does Holling's concern about what other people think reveal about him?
A. He is extremely confident.
B. He is independent and doesn't care about others.
C. He is sensitive to how others perceive him.
D. He is intentionally trying to cause problems.
C. He is sensitive to how others perceive him.
Who is Holling's teacher?
Mrs Baker
Why doesn't Holling attend religious education classes?
His family is not Jewish or Catholic, so he doesn't attend the classes.
Why is the setting of 1967 important?
Possible answer: 1967 places the story during a period of major social and political change in the United States, which will become important as the story develops.
Why might the author choose to have Holling tell the story himself rather than having another character tell it? What does this allow the reader to understand?
Possible answer: Having Holling tell the story allows readers to experience events through his perspective and understand his thoughts, worries, and assumptions.
What day of the week is especially important in Chapter 1?
Wedenesday
What does Holling's father do?
He works in architecture.
Mrs. Baker doesn't actually tell Holling that she hates him. Why does Holling believe she does?
Possible answer: Holling interprets Mrs. Baker's behavior as dislike because he is left alone with her on Wednesday afternoons. He assumes there must be a reason she doesn't like him.
Based ONLY on Chapter 1, what is one possible theme the novel might explore?
In what year does the story begin?
1967
What does Holling worry about most when it comes to his family?
His family's reputation and appearance in the community
What is the main conflict Holling experiences with Mrs. Baker in Chapter 1?
Possible answer: Holling believes Mrs. Baker dislikes him because he has to remain at school with her on Wednesday afternoons while his classmates leave for religious education.
In 3–4 sentences, explain what Chapter 1 teaches us about:
A strong response should explain that Holling is a seventh grader who is very concerned about how others see him, particularly his family and Mrs. Baker. His family has strong expectations for him, while his relationship with Mrs. Baker begins with tension because he remains at school with her on Wednesday afternoons. The conflict gives Holling an uncomfortable situation that may force him to learn and grow.