Sometimes Even Great Authors Can Disappoint

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling.  The author of this book should sound very familiar.  Her books and movies are very popular among young adults and are being read and viewed around the world still today.  Of course I am talking about the Harry Potter series. Unfortunately, J.K. Rowling tried to appeal to the adult reading audience.  I'm not sure if this was her idea, or if someone talked her into it. The Casual Vacancy is not a very good book, and is certainly not suitable for young adult readers. I wonder how many young readers will recognize the author of this book like I did, and be curious enough to try and read it.  It will certainly be available at a discount price in garage sales and flea markets very soon. That's where my copy is going. I have to believe that Harry Potter fans will put this book down before the first chapter. Unfortunately, I didn't.

Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt

I just finished Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt.  I was motivated to read this book because it is the first book by Gary Schmidt that introduces the characters of another book I enjoyed, OKAY For Now, by the same author.  I thought I was going to get a preview of what Dough Swieteck (see my blog) was like before his big move.  Even though Dough Swieteck is a secondary character in the book, Wednesday Wars revolves around the life of Holling Hoodhood instead.  I know it's confusing. I am curious if Danny Hupfer, another character mentioned in both stories, will have the honor of his story being told by Gary Schmidt. It is an interesting idea.  I have read other books where the same events are told from two different perspectives. Gary Schmidt seems to be taking the three characters from his first book Wednesday Wars, and give the reader the background and perspectives for each boy as they move on through middle school in the 1960's.