Comments (27)

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Jun 17, 2022Mister_Baggins rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I realy enjoyed this book and I recommend his other books to.
Oct 02, 2021lyndasclater rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A good easy read!
red_bear_6047
Apr 09, 2021red_bear_6047 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This was a real page turner, showing the life of a troubled 8th grader. I recommend reading "The Wednesday Wars" before this. A kind of long book, 360 pages of coming-of-age.
Mar 31, 2021
Eighth-grader Doug Swietek moves to a small town in New York called Marysville. While taking him far away from his home, the new place does nothing to relieve him of his abusive father and remorseless brother. He soon meets residents of…
Jan 28, 2021Cobraboy10 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I have read this book 5 times, Its awesome
Jun 14, 2020blue_tiger_6805 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I don't know why, but I'm always hesitant to read Shmidt's books, which is silly, because I always end up loving them. You must read this book. I cried and cried and cried at the end. It is also hilarious. BTW, Pay Attention Carter Jones…
May 12, 2016
5 stars. 5 STARSSS!!!
Mar 04, 2016
Amazing story! Didn't think it would be that intresting, but it was!
Apr 04, 2015SeanTo rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Truly amazing book. It taught me a lot. I have read a lot of books where characters are returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, but never Vietnam. This book is set in the late '60s, maybe early '70s. Explores many deep topics and…
Jun 17, 2014litriocht rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Marysville's denizens include traumatized Vietnam veterans, Doug Swieteck's troubled family, and several authority figures who have preconceived notions about what a hoodlum Doug must be. While Doug is very concerned with not seeming like…
Jun 16, 2014JCLElaineB rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Good book! Had some serious moments and some humorous moments. Learned a little about how art is made too. I was a teenager about the same time as the setting of this book so was able to relate to a lot of what was going on in the world…
Dec 13, 2013
best book :D
Red_Ant_279
Oct 06, 2013
Awesome book
Jul 20, 2013baker9 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I'm in love with Gary D Schmidt's writing. This book does not disappoint!!! Humor, tragedy, hope, heartache...I laughed and I cried. Such an amazing, relatable story. Some have said that his books can be a little slow, but I think they are…
AlgonquinYouthServices
Apr 15, 2013
Doug Swietek, the bully from The Wednesday Wars, is back in his own book. In 1968, the Swieteks move from Long Island to Marysville, in upstate New York, where his abusive, unemployed dad finds work. The small town is a different world…
Mar 28, 2013bkilfoy rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Schmidt's novel is an intriguing insight into Doug's life in a family that is the definition of dysfunctional against the background of the late 1960s. Doug's voice is extremely distinctive and images from Audubon's book are interwoven…
Oct 20, 2012
This book was just wonderful. I found myself engrossed from the beginning. Schmidt's style is one that speaks to me; rather than just reading the story, you feel it. From start to finish, I loved the writing and the plot. One of the best…
ELIZABETH RAMSEY BIRD
Sep 20, 2012ELIZABETH RAMSEY BIRD rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
To my mind Gary Schmidt presents worlds that are full of decent people and not so decent people who have reasons for their weirdnesses. Worlds that you either wish you lived in or believe you already live in. There’s nothing easy about…
Sep 18, 2012samdog123 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book and found myself identifying so easily with the characters. Doug Swietek moves with his family to a small town after his louse of a Father loses his job. Many themes from the 60's here, the Vietnam war, Space…
Aug 02, 2012aBellyDancer rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I listened to this on playaway, and was enthralled from the first chapter. The narrator perfectly captured the voice and attitude of a 13 year old boy struggling with teen-boy issues during late 1960's upstate New York. Throw in…
Jul 17, 2012emilymirwin rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Schmidt does a beautiful job with the crafting of this story, weaving in Audubon's prints within the literal and metaphorical pieces. Language he uses to describe what life is like and what characters, especially Doug, think is wonderful.…
May 11, 2012Mama_Bull rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
What would you do if you were 14 and had to move to a new town because your abusive father lost his job? For Doug Swieteck, this is exactly what happens. He has no friends and a trouble-making older brother who never misses a chance to…
jazs
Nov 29, 2011
NYTimes Notable Children's book for 2011
Mewsician
Oct 29, 2011Mewsician rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I'm not usually a disappointed reader. It's hard, though, to be introduced to a great writer and nearly simultaneously experience his failure. What wonderfully realized characters! What a complex, multi-dimensional disfuntional family!…
wnestler
Sep 13, 2011wnestler rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This is fantastic book about the character of a junior high aged boy. Gary Schmidt is very talented.