Reviews

Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt

jonahbarnes's review against another edition

A very good book, and I’m not lying. Buy a copy and read it. 

amandawu47's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

brookeoxendine's review against another edition

sad medium-paced

3.0

bookwyrm76's review against another edition

4.0

I finished Okay for Now by Schmidt over the weekend. While I started out loving it, by the end I liked Wednesday Wars better. The "and I'm not lying"s got to be a bit annoying after awhile and some of the character changes were a bit sudden. That being said, it is an awesome book and belongs on a best of the year list if not our short list for Mock Newbery.

heathercottledillon's review against another edition

5.0

Things aren't going so well for Doug Swieteck. His brother is off fighting in the Vietnam War, which has his sweet mom worried and his rough father even more brutal than usual. His dad has trouble keeping a job, so now they have to move to "stupid Maryville," a tiny town in New York where his dad's friend has found a place for him to work. At first, Doug hates the place. There's nothing to do and he misses his old friends. But then he starts getting to know people. He meets spunky Lil Spencer, whose father hires Doug to work as a delivery boy in his deli. He befriends Mr. Powell, a local librarian, who introduces him to drawing. He even gets a babysitting gig for a broad of feisty kids and buddies up with an elderly woman who is writing a play. Through these relationships, Doug discovers new parts of himself and learns to stand up for the things that are important to him.

This is definitely one of the best books I've read so far this year. From the first page, I loved Doug's voice and his goofy observations. I really like his snark and how he talks to audience sometimes. There's the dark stuff in this story (the war, Doug's abusive father)--which I like because it gives us a lot to think about-- but it totally cracked me up as well. The pacing works well, too. Even though there's not a lot of action per se, all of the little things Doug goes through combined with the engaging narration equals a book that I couldn't put down. Plus there's an awesome librarian! What more could one want from a book?

jemery07's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

ava_a07's review against another edition

hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book is amazing. I’ve never been a character heavy book reader, I always enjoyed more plot heavy books, but I loved how immersive this was, the writing was unique, the characters changed for the better!

littlefish13's review against another edition

4.0

This is a great, young adult book with wonderful life lessons to be learned! I really enjoyed this novel.

stolen_tangerine's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

erinricks's review against another edition

5.0

I absolutely loved this book! Gary D. Schmidt is amazing!