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Okay for now

Schmidt, Gary D. Book - 2011 On Order None on shelf 2 requests on 0 copies Community Rating: 4.9 out of 5

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Companion to "The Wednesday Wars."
As a fourteen-year-old who just moved to a new town, with no friends, an abusive father, and a louse for an older brother, Doug Swieteck has all the stats stacked against him until he finds an ally in Lil Spicer--a fiery young lady. Together, they find a safe haven in the local library, inspiration in learning about the plates of John James Audubon's birds, and a hilarious adventure on a Broadway stage.

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School Library Journal Review
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Summary / Annotation
Fiction Profile
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Author Notes

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Okay for Now submitted by karaelise on June 21, 2011, 8:23pm Doug Swietick has never had it easy, especially since his dad usually has more bad days than good. But then his dad loses his job, and the family is uprooted so his father can take a job in Marysville, New York. Doug immediately decides that “stupid Marysville” is not the town for him—after all, he’s thrown balls with New York Yankee Joe Pepitone! But when he meets Lil Spicer and begins working for her dad’s store, then begins frequenting the town library for art lessons based on Audobon’s bird drawings in a rare book, he begins to feel a sense of belonging. But can it last when his brother is accused of thievery, his father continues to have bad days, and his oldest brother returns from Vietnam?

Gary Schmidt has crafted a heartfelt book with a believable and likable main character with a strong and entertaining voice. A cast of supporting characters that each shine with individuality and depth round out this story that is by turns sad, funny, and triumphant. While it is technically the sequel The Wednesday Wars, this novel can stand on its own. Readers will find themselves completely absorbed in Doug’s world as he becomes a character worth cheering for. Recommended for grades 5-8.

Read Wednesday Wars first. submitted by SBrandt on July 13, 2011, 8:38pm A fantastic book. I'd recommend reading The Wednesday Wars first if you can, since this book would contain a couple spoilers to that story. However, it stands alone well too.

awesome! submitted by pbapat on August 11, 2011, 1:29pm this is an awesome book! its so heartfelt and i laughed and both cried while reading this book! i lovedd this book and would recomend it to people 11+ ( even adults!)

great for now! submitted by manz on March 14, 2013, 5:41pm I totally loved this book. I still liked "The Wednesday Wars" a bit more. But this was a great stand-alone novel, that also acts as a sequel to "Wednesday." This book focuses on one of the side characters in the previous novel. I love Gary Schmidt's writing, and the characters are such fun. It's great to get to read more about a background character from another book.

More than Okay submitted by wendylv on August 31, 2015, 8:14pm I loved the story, the characters, and the interwoven themes. The arc of the story and the way the pieces all fell into place was really magical. I believe you can head over to the Hatcher Graduate Library at U of M and see a copy of Audubon's book. And they turn the page every week, too.
Great book for kids and adults.

Excellent read for the whole family submitted by ginarae3 on August 9, 2018, 9:47am This kid is obsessed with John James Audubon's Birds of America. The way the author weaves the artistry and importance of the double elephant book into the story is magical. If you love birds you just might love this. I laughed, I cried, and I truly enjoyed how the birds almost became characters in the story.

Wow submitted by ann arbor air on June 12, 2021, 2:25pm Omg this book is great Asdfghjkl

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PUBLISHED
New York : Clarion Books, 2011.
Year Published: 2011
Description: 360 p. : ill. ; 22 cm.
Language: English
Format: Book

READING LEVEL
Lexile: 850

ISBN/STANDARD NUMBER
9780547152608
0547152604

SUBJECTS
Audubon, John James, -- 1785-1851. -- Fiction.
Family life -- New York -- Fiction.
Family problems -- Fiction.
Junior high schools -- Fiction.
Friendship -- Fiction.
Theater -- New York -- Fiction.
Coming of age -- Fiction.
Broadway (New York, N.Y.) -- Fiction.
Humorous stories.