I am not sure why this book goes to the top of the list of books I
have read lately. It is not showy or groundbreaking. It is simply a
good and good-hearted read.
Holling Hoodhood is not
Catholic, like the kids on one side of town, nor is he Jewish, like the
kids on the other side of town. Since the Catholic students and the
Jewish students go to religious education classes on Wednesday
afternoon, Holling is left as the only one in Mrs. Baker's class on
Wednesday afternoons. This premise might strike current-day kids as an
unusual arrangement, depending where in the world they live, but it
is/was not unheard of. How he and his teacher occupy their time is the
basic focus of the story. At first, Mrs. Baker has him doing odd jobs
to help around the classroom, but eventually, she decides to assign him
to read Shakespeare. Surprisingly, Holling actually enjoys it.
And
the plays that she has him read parallel some of the events in his
life. His relationship with his father is rather rocky, and his mother
doesn't seem to be able to improve things. His sister, older than he
is, is also unhappy with their parents. She eventually runs away and it
falls to Holling to rescue her - and to prove to himself that he really
does like her.
The book is set in 1967 and I am
impressed that it sticks to some of the feelings and actions of the era
(which I know, having lived through that time :-)) - it feels authentic.
I can't remember details right now (I finished it probably a month
ago), but one thing is that there is more innocence (naiveté?) than
there is now in such books. Issues are addressed more obliquely and are
not the constant focus. For some reason, with many current books for
older children and teens, I almost feel assaulted by dysfunction. This
book does not have that feel for me.
Recommended with pleasure.
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