The Wednesday Wars is an example of a bildungsroman, or a coming-of-age story. Throughout his seventh grade year, Holling matures from a timid youngster who is pushed around by his family and peers to a confident young man on track to make a difference in the world. As students work to identify instances of Holling’s growth, storyboards can be an excellent way to keep them engaged. Have them depict moments in which Holling demonstrates character growth. Then, ask them to explain the scene’s significance below the image.
Holling starts out the year on poor terms with his classmates. Meryl Lee is upset with him and several of his classmates threaten to kill him over the cream puffs. By the end of the year, he develops strong friendships with classmates who support him at his play, cross country meets, and other places. He even has a girlfriend.
By the end of the book, Holling has become a dedicated cross country runner. Although he starts out running simply because he's told to, he eventually learns to take the sport seriously and train for a performance he can be proud of. Due to his hard work (and Mrs. Baker's training), Holling ends up being the best runner on the varsity team.
When Holling's sister runs away and ends up alone in Minneapolis, she turns to her brother for help. Holling shows his maturity and love for his sister when he cashes in his savings bond, wires his sister the money, and meets her at the bus station in New York City.
For the first few months of seventh grade, Holling sees Mrs. Baker as a strict, heartless teacher who is out to ruin his life. Over time, he realizes that she is a kind-hearted person with her own fears and concerns just like anyone else. He develops a good relationship with her, which is proven by his concern for her happiness and the safety of her husband. At the end of the book, he even speaks to her outside of school activities!
At the end of the book, Holling finally stands up to his father. After Danny's bar mitzvah, Holling's father mocks the ceremony. Holling tells his father that it was meaningful, and more important to becoming a man than having the perfect career. Holling has finally developed the courage to tell his father that he does not want to become like him: cold-hearted, cutthroat, and obsessed with appearance.
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Student Instructions
Prepare open-ended questions that encourage students to reflect on Holling’s journey. Invite them to share examples of his growth and relate these changes to their own lives. This approach deepens engagement and helps students connect personally with the novel.
Encourage students to create visual representations of Holling’s development at key moments. Storyboards make abstract growth concrete and help visual learners track changes over time.
Ask students to write a brief explanation under each storyboard panel. This step reinforces comprehension and ensures they understand how each event shapes Holling’s character.
Invite students to share personal stories or times when they faced similar challenges or growth. Making these connections helps students empathize with Holling and fosters a supportive classroom environment.
Lead a class conversation where students summarize key takeaways about character development. This reinforces learning and allows for multiple perspectives on Holling’s journey.
Key examples of character development in The Wednesday Wars include Holling making new friends, becoming a dedicated athlete, supporting his sister during a crisis, appreciating Mrs. Baker, and standing up to his father. Each event shows how Holling matures emotionally and morally throughout seventh grade.
At the start, Holling is timid and unsure, often pushed around by family and peers. By the end, he’s confident, stands up for what matters, values his relationships, and becomes a leader among friends and family.
A bildungsroman is a coming-of-age story focusing on a character’s growth. The Wednesday Wars fits this genre as it follows Holling’s journey to maturity over his seventh-grade year, highlighting personal challenges and growth.
Effective activities include storyboarding moments of Holling’s development, writing detailed descriptions of key scenes, and creating illustrations that show his changing relationships, values, and self-confidence.
Mrs. Baker’s guidance helps Holling see beyond first impressions, learn empathy, and build resilience. Their evolving teacher-student relationship is central to Holling’s personal growth and understanding of others.