Okay for Now

Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt

In his follow up to The Wednesday Wars, Gary Schmidt has created another appealing book about growing up and finding yourself when the odds don't appear to be in your favor.

Doug Swieteck has had to move from Long Island to the upstate New York town of Marysville because of his dad's new job.  The town is small and everyone seems to have known each other forever.  Doug's home life is no better.  His father is hateful and abusive to both the children and his mother.  His one brother is in Vietnam and the other has quickly earned a reputation as a juvenile delinquent.

Quite by accident, Doug discovers the local public library and it's treasure -- an original copy of John James Audubon's Birds of America.  He is entranced by the artwork and is soon befriended by one the librarians, Mr. Powell, who teaches him about the hidden nuances in the paintings.  Doug, who never has drawn before, finds himself drawing the birds and becoming very interested in Mr. Audubon's work.

Doug gets a delivery job with the local deli and befriends the daughter of the owner, Lil.  Although he has made two allies in Marysville, all is not smooth sailing.  Doug has what one would call an "attitude problem" at school, his rudeness and defiance covering up his insecurity and low literacy level.  Slowly, he finds a teacher who recognizes his problem and reassures him that he knows that "...you are not your brother."(p. 102)

As in The Wednesday Wars, young readers will identify with Doug's everyday struggles to grow up and create relationships.  This book is also a great choice for 5th through 7th graders, especially for boys who may be reluctant readers.