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Okay for Now

4.3 of 5 stars 4.30 · rating details · 9,364 ratings · 2,479 reviews

Midwesterner Gary D. Schmidt won Newbery Honor awards for Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boys and The Wednesday Wars, two coming-of-age novels about unlikely friends finding a bond. Okay For Now, his latest novel, explores another seemingly improbable alliance, this one between new outsider in town Doug Swieteck and Lil Spicer, the savvy spitfire daughter of his deli ow

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Hardcover, 360 pages

Published April 5th 2011 by Clarion Books (first published April 1st 2011)

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Newbery 2012

1st out of 136 books — 545 voters

Mock Printz 2012

2nd out of 51 books — 219 voters

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Sep 17, 2012 Emily May rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Emily by: Tatiana

Shelves: childrens, 2012, historical-fiction

My favourite books are always those that prove me wrong, that break my own rules. I used to say I didn't like the traditional or "high" fantasy genre, and then Megan Whalen Turner and Melina Marchetta proved that I had actually just not found the right brand of traditional fantasy to suit me. As a rule, I tend to avoid like the plague young adult books that are about dealing with the death of a loved one or teenage pregnancy... but Please Ignore Vera Dietz and How to Save a Life proved that I ju...more My favourite books are always those that prove me wrong, that break my own rules. I used to say I didn't like the traditional or "high" fantasy genre, and then Megan Whalen Turner and Melina Marchetta proved that I had actually just not found the right brand of traditional fantasy to suit me. As a rule, I tend to avoid like the plague young adult books that are about dealing with the death of a loved one or teenage pregnancy... but Please Ignore Vera Dietz and How to Save a Life proved that I just needed to find the novels that dealt with it in a way I could appreciate. And then there are those young adult books with protagonists who deal with their problematic lives through creativity: art, music, literature... etc. I often find in these kind of stories something horribly cheesy and cliche, so when Mr Schmidt came along with this book and The Wednesday Wars and introduced me to two characters who find comfort in drawing pictures of birds and Shakespeare... I should have hated it.

But Schmidt somehow manages to handle his characters so expertly that it's okay. No, more than that, it's bloody brilliant. In this book, Doug Swieteck - a character we first meet in The Wednesday Wars - comes back to tell his own story, one which is far more painful and sad than Holling's. At first it seems like the entire world is out to get Doug, his family have had to move to a small crappy house in a small crappy town, his father is abusive, his brother is a bully, everything good that comes into his life is eventually taken from him. Not only that, but Doug has a few secret problems that it is becoming increasingly difficult for him to hide. And I'm sure that so far it sounds like every typical teen "issue book" filled with the usual melodrama. But no.

Because people are not what they seem and even the worst have the capacity for good and change. What I love most is the way Schmidt makes every character count, he introduces many people into this story and you will find yourself forming opinions of them straight away, only to discover that they are way more multidimensional than that. The author throws up constant surprises and when you think you've finally figured out what kind of novel you are reading and what sort of story this is supposed to be, it turns out you're wrong. Every single character in this novel gets the chance to be a person not just an archetype, they are made up of good and bad, they all have faults and they all have positive qualities also. To build so many complex individuals into your story must be challenging and this novel has firmly cemented Mr Schmidt into one of my favourite authors of all time.

I said at the beginning of this review that some of my favourite books are the ones that challenge and break the rules I have made for myself about what I like to read, and I think I'm starting to get some idea of what makes these rule-breakers so special: it is because that, even though they fall into the category I typically don't like, they are actually so much more than that. And it is mostly to do with the characters. To simplify Marchetta's Lumatere series by calling it merely "traditional fantasy" is unforgivable when I think about the richness of the world she has created and the range of personalities in it. Same with Please Ignore Vera Dietz and How to Save a Life, they are not simply about death and teen pregnancy, they are about colourful characters that are so well-crafted they feel real. And Okay for Now is the same.

This book is about a lot of things. It is about small town gossip and how you can be ostracised because of the mistakes and failures of those close to you. It's about learning to see the world in a new way - which sounds totally trite but, trust me, it works. It really works! I think that is this book's real triumph: Schmidt takes a few simple and overdone ideas, mixes them up a bit, and churns out something completely original. And isn't that the best kind of story?(less)

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May 08, 2012 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: on-my-bookshelf, fiction

http://www.gerberadaisydiaries.com/20...

Consider the following: an author proposes writing a middle grade novel involving John James Audubon’s Birds of America, an emotionally abusive father, a Vietnam veteran brother, the classic novel Jane Eyre, the New York Yankees, an eccentric playwright, a business executive who is both an expert at horseshoes as he is at cultivating orchids – you would probably consider him crazy and usher him out the door. But only author Gary Schmidt could weave all the...more http://www.gerberadaisydiaries.com/20...

Consider the following: an author proposes writing a middle grade novel involving John James Audubon’s Birds of America, an emotionally abusive father, a Vietnam veteran brother, the classic novel Jane Eyre, the New York Yankees, an eccentric playwright, a business executive who is both an expert at horseshoes as he is at cultivating orchids – you would probably consider him crazy and usher him out the door. But only author Gary Schmidt could weave all the above in a story so full of heartache and hope that the obvious response would be, “why didn’t I think of that story line?”

Doug Swieteck, a minor character from Mr. Schmidt’s Newbery Honor winner The Wednesday Wars, has moved from Long Island with Holling Hoodhood’s beloved Joe Pepitone’s New York Yankees jacket, to upstate New York to face the uncertainty of his father’s hostility and being the new kid on the block. With the help of multiple friends and teachers, Doug is able to navigate the natural difficulties associated with 8th grade, the increased tension at home, with his newly developed artistic talent studying Audubon prints and the burgeoning relationship with Lil Spicer, daughter of the local grocery merchant.

This was an extraordinary book. Mr. Schmidt was a master in the layering of story lines of Doug’s life. With the introduction of each bird (you’ll notice them immediately at the beginning of each chapter), and at each obstacle that Doug encounters, it was a natural instinct to reach through the pages to give this kid a hug. Additionally, Mr. Schmidt expertly shows how important teachers are to the lives of our children and that no child is out of reach of being nurtured and taught. And without much effort, he TEACHES the reader as well – about classic literature and art and science – it was seamless.

Finally, this was a story about the rebuilding of a family, the strength of a young man, and the beauty of a friendship. Oh, and birds. Lots and lots of birds.
(less)

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Dec 21, 2010 Tatiana rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone

Shelves: 2010, children-s-middle-school, ala-ya-2012, national-book-award

I don't think I've cried this much over a book since Mockingjay. Okay for Now must be one of the most bitter-sweet stories out there. Exhilarating is probably the best word to describe it.

If you've read The Wednesday Wars, you already know the main character of this novel - Doug Swieteck. While this companion novel follows the formula and themes of The Wednesday Wars, Doug's story is a heavier one. Holling's problems are nothing compared to Doug's. His father is quick with his hands, his elder...more

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Apr 01, 2012 Linna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-characters, contemporary, i-cried, impossible-to-put-down, maniacal-laughter-inducing, spectacular-all-time-favorites

Terrific.

First, I think I should say two things: a)This review is going to be really cheesy, and b)THAT HORRIFIC COVER does in NO WAY this book justice. I don't care if this is a 'boy' book aimed at middle schoolers, it made this seventeen-year old girl cry and laugh and cry some more to the point that everyone else in my house was a little worried (thank goodness I didn't read this in public). If you've read my status updates for this book, it's indescribable.

I can't even quote the best parts...more Terrific.

First, I think I should say two things: a)This review is going to be really cheesy, and b)THAT HORRIFIC COVER does in NO WAY this book justice. I don't care if this is a 'boy' book aimed at middle schoolers, it made this seventeen-year old girl cry and laugh and cry some more to the point that everyone else in my house was a little worried (thank goodness I didn't read this in public). If you've read my status updates for this book, it's indescribable.

I can't even quote the best parts in this book because each line builds upon everything you know about that character and their relationships with who they're talking to; it's so rewarding in the end because almost every conversation made me laugh and love the characters even more. Mrs. Windermere's (Skinny Delivery Boy, what ice cream did I order?), the science teacher (oh Clarence), the librarians, Doug's brothers (and there was a beautiful part where.. agh I can't, just read this book), the BIRDS, the play at the end where I was laughing like a maniac, I'm sorry, this review isn't very informative for people wondering what this book is about. You know those 'a-HA!' moments you get when you're reading and something brilliant happens? Like when Jellicoe Road actually starts making sense, or the entire ending to Unwind, or when Harry realizes where that Horcrux was all along, or when you realize who Lucy actually went on a date with in Graffiti Moon? OKAY FOR NOW has tons of these, in a brilliant, subtle, everyday way.

One thing that always makes me love a book, especially a book you can say is aimed for a younger audience, is not dividing the characters into Evil and Good. Yes, Doug gets bullied and is treated unfairly, but those same bad guys are people too, and they have depths that extend past being an antagonist for the main character. One thing that I did notice, however, was that the good characters actually don't work vice versa; they're pure and good through and through, so it'd be nicer if they could venture into that gray area as well. Not that I want Doug's mother to start beating people up or anything, but the characters that start out kind don't develop throughout the story.

The writing is subtle but I'm convinced that Schmidt has mad skills. There aren't any fancy words or self-indulgent descriptions. This is the perfect book to read if you want to get away from all that pretentious stuff, but that's just because Schmidt doesn't need to overload the reader with pretty adjectives and crazy elaborate metaphors. You can tell when writing is good when you're reading it on an e-reader; even good books lose my interest when I'm not reading it on print, but when the writing is truly, truly amazing, then, it doesn't matter if I'm reading it off the screen. It transcends that.

The emotion that Doug's simple narration got out of me... I don't even know. Every time he says 'Do you know how that feels?' I needed to take a break because WHAT DO YOU THINK I FEEL?! I FEEL WEIRDLY PROUD OF YOU AND it was like I could physically feel my heart... not breaking, because I was just so happy

Ya I know I'm using that meme photo incorrectly but that's what I looked like when I reading this book. So yeah. This book is amazing. I'm going to go make my little brother read it now. And then the rest of my gal pals. And my parents. Great books shouldn't be pigeonholed into one audience, after all.(less)

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Jul 29, 2011 Donalyn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-historical-fiction, ncbla-committee-2012-books, 2011-nerdy-book-club-award-nominees, ncbla-2012-final-shortlist

I read this in one evening, staying up until after midnight on a school night to read it. Gary Schmidt is a genius and I fell in love with Doug.

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Oct 14, 2012 April rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: audio, library, middle-grade, historical-fiction, highly-recommended

I’m absolutely in love with Okay For Now by Gary D. Scmidt. Whether it’s the endearing characters -in particular Doug Swieteck who worships Joe Pepitone and is concerned about being a chump, the multiple themes that all built on each other, the late 1960s setting in MY state or Scmidt’s capture of the essence of growing up. Frankly, it’s love. My feelings for Okay For Now, that is.

Read the rest of my review here

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Aug 14, 2011 Jess rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: juv, historical-fiction, national-book-award-finalist, mock-newbery-2012, odyssey-honor

Copied from my review of the audio version.

If you liked The Wednesday Wars, you must read this. Schmidt hits a lot of the same notes again, but his style - the voice, the characters, the whole thing - is so pitch perfect that I immediately wanted to start it over from the beginning (a rare feeling for me). In fact, I listened to the audio and then read the print version a few months later. The only downside to the audio is that you'll want to look up the Audubon illustrations in a book or online...more Copied from my review of the audio version.

If you liked The Wednesday Wars, you must read this. Schmidt hits a lot of the same notes again, but his style - the voice, the characters, the whole thing - is so pitch perfect that I immediately wanted to start it over from the beginning (a rare feeling for me). In fact, I listened to the audio and then read the print version a few months later. The only downside to the audio is that you'll want to look up the Audubon illustrations in a book or online, because they're really key to the story. When I reread the print version, I found myself flipping back to that chapter's illustration anytime the image was discussed.

The book's only flaw is that it stuffs in a few too many things plot-wise, but for me that never detracted from the story. Not perfect, but pretty close. And I'm not lying.

Source: my public library

A few notes I took on my second read (with the print version in hand), mostly prompted by discussions about the book in the Mock Newbery group. I wanted some specific examples of things I think Schmidt does really well in order to respond to points other readers made.

P. 63: Doug ends one section with, "I stood there like a chump. You see how things never go right when you're feeling good?" The next section begins with his father saying, "You see how things never go right when you're feeling good?" To me, Doug and his brothers and his father are all part of a cycle of violence - watching the way Doug chooses to sometimes follow in his brothers' and father's footsteps, while other times he manages to break away. Here, he's obviously repeating a sentiment that's become ingrained after years of hearing his father talk this way.

P. 84: Doug describes taking his mother out for ice cream and paying, and then says, "You know how that felt?" I love the way Schmidt does this with Doug's voice - the way Doug asks us a question that reveals so much more about his emotions than saying "that felt good." It's so in character for Doug.

P. 143: The same thing happens again, only with a negative situation, when Doug is finally forced out of his gym shirt. "And what they saw--it's not any of your stupid business." It leaves you hanging and lets your imagination get to work, because you know it's bad. But without Doug ever coming out and saying it's bad.

P. 156: The watches. I love Doug's pride in ownership here, and again he doesn't just say it, he shows how he feels, just like with Joe Pepitone's jacket.

P. 171: When Doug goes to the paper mill and learns that the baseball and hundred dollars were sent home with his father, and rather than outing his father to Mr. Ballard, he just tells us, "It was just like my father said. You shouldn't count on anything." Just kills me.(less)

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Apr 26, 2012 Lynn Pribus rated it 3 of 5 stars

I did enjoy this YA novel -- but somehow it felt just a bit "off." As if it was written for Newberry Award judges rather than kids, even if Doug often says "I'm not lying."

Kids don't know about Audubon without some explanation (which could easily have been provided by the Wise Older Man at the library. Kids don't "get" references to "Dear Reader, I kissed her," even though Doug had been reading JANE EYRE in class -- a very unlikely eighth grade assignment, even in 1965.)

Doug is a sweet kid with...more

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Aug 11, 2011 Jess rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, juv, historical-fiction, odyssey-honor

If you liked The Wednesday Wars, you must read this. Schmidt hits a lot of the same notes again, but his style - the voice, the characters, the whole thing - is so pitch perfect that I immediately wanted to start it over from the beginning (a rare feeling for me). In fact, I listened to the audio and then read the print version a few months later. The only downside to the audio is that you'll want to look up the Audubon illustrations in a book or online, because they're really key to the story....more

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Jul 19, 2011 Suzette Gee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, favorite-young-adult

In this book, Schmidt takes Doug, a minor character in Wednesday Wars, and tells his story. At the beginning of the book, he moves with his family to Marysville NY. Although his father is abusive and there are a lot of problems in the home, Doug connects with a lot of the people in the town and finds a way out of a lot of his problems. I love that Schmidt shows that people in hard situations can rise above them. He shows people at their best instead of at their worst. It's a very hopeful book.

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Apr 06, 2011 John rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-ya

If there's any justice in the world, this should be sporting a Medal or two after next ALA Midwinter. If anything, though, I think Doug Swieteck's experiences in a new small town as he finds his balance and helps several other people regain their own is a TOO rich melange of themes, metaphors, characters of varying intellectual and emotional depth, chain-pulling lines for teachers and librarians, twists on conventional triumphs (specifically the Meeting A Famous Real Athlete one and the Being In...more

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Dec 15, 2011 Becky rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, audiobook, historical-fiction, tween

3.5 stars?????

Doug Swieteck is a minor character in Schmidt’s "Wednesday Wars", but "Okay for Now" is Doug’s book.

The story takes place in the small town of Marysville, NY where Douglas Swieteck and his family have just moved to accommodate his abusive father’s new job. Doug is not happy about the move. The adjustment to the new town and school are difficult and create the backdrop for much of the story. One of the heroes in this story is the town librarian who helps to ease Doug's transition to...more

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Mar 16, 2013 Sam Fletcher rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is honestly one of the most special books I've ever read. on several occasions I was moved to tears. I almost can't even formulate a proper thought.

The writing style is so simple, through the voice of this young boy. Doug personally experiences so much, as well as his family. His story is almost equally tragic as it is beautiful.

The book started off pretty slow, but the pace picked up when the family made the move to Marysville. That's when I was unable to put the book down. That's when I...more

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Nov 23, 2011 Abby Johnson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: blogged

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. This book broke my heart about 17 times and patched it back together each time.

Review: http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2011/...

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Jul 08, 2011 GraceAnne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Funny, heartbreaking, and so emotionally true it will wring readers right out. It captures 1968-69 with effortless exactitude.

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Dec 12, 2012 Brittany rated it 2 of 5 stars

'Okay for Now' by Gary D. Schmidt is a 360 page novel. Based in the late 1960s, the book revolves around main character Doug Swietek, an 8th grader who has recently moved to New York with his father. Doug's life is a bit difficult: his brother is a soldier fighting in the Vietnam War and his father struggles with alcohol and is abusive. Doug's dad loses his job, his brother come back from Vietnam in a weird state, and Doug becomes his schools thug. However, he meet a girl names Lil who challenge...more

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Feb 24, 2013 Ceecee rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of Louis Sachar, Disney, or The Wonder Years vibe

Recommended to Ceecee by: Emily May

Shelves: 5-star, coming-of-age, i-love-fluff, lovely-prose, slice-of-life, favorites, 7-stars, fictional-boyfriends

I hate Doug Swieteck.

I hate what a chump he is, that he's a bundle of insecurities, conflicts, trying to be a tough guy, but really he's soft inside. You can't believe how much I dislike "bad boys", I can't believe Doug could make me hate him so much. Here's this troubled kid, with quite a shitty dad, a troublesome brother, thank God he has a wonderful mother,and this new kid in town, Doug, no one likes him, he's not exactly Holling Hoodhood, but he's a really good kid. A really good kid. And th...more

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Jun 04, 2012 Soennug rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: shelved, young-adult-fiction, adult-fiction, they-re-joking-its-not-for-kids

There's nothing epic about this book. There're no fireworks or monsters; it's not mysterious or action-packed, and neither is it a page turner. I've lost count of the number of days I've taken to complete this (I haven't completed it actually).

But what this book is is like a good, warm, cup of whatever beverage with the power to calm you down after a particularly nasty nightmare. Especially if said nightmare goes by the name of Life. Okay for Now is an apt title in this regard. You know those b...more

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Mar 25, 2012 Becky rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kids-and-ya

I read this book because I saw someone important speak who said that this was the best children's novel in the past ten years. That is high praise indeed.

And it was really, really good. I liked it a lot. Doug, the protagonist, has a clear, true, relatable voice; the situations he describes or hints at are convincing and funny and heartbreaking and it's all very well done.

Toward the end of the book, though, there were a lot of things happening that I hadn't had time to get invested in, which chan...more

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Aug 10, 2012 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Emily by: Mom

Shelves: ya-fiction, book-club

I just re-read this for (my choice) book club. I loved it as much as last time. It definitely is one to make you laugh and cry.

Original Review:
Doug Swieteck was introduced in the other Gary Schmidt novel I read, Wednesday Wars. Here he's the main character, just moving to a tiny town in Upstate New York. He has an abusive father, a wonderful mother, bully brothers and a whole host of other interesting characters. In fact, one of the things I liked best about this story was how you got to see wh...more

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Aug 03, 2011 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, children, tween-novel

I just finished the book and found it an amazing read. If you read Schmidt's "Wednesday Wars" you are in for the same authentic voice. Gary D. Schmidt has to be one of the finest authors out there and I am overwhelmed by his talent. His novels are penetrating, deep, funny and always moving. There is rarely a false moment and his characters are believable and therefore maddening.

This particular novel is difficult at times because it deals with an abusive father. There is a scene in it that I will...more

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May 29, 2012 JoLee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, childrens-young-adult, 2012, e-book, bookclub

Basically Gary D. Schmidt is a genius. The Wednesday Wars was a five-star read for me and made it onto my favorite reads of 2009. Okay for Now is every bit as good.

Okay for Now follows Doug Swieteck, a character in The Wednesday Wars, to a new town and a new beginning. Doug has a rough family life, a volatile father, one brother in Vietnam and one who is always picking on him, and a loving, but powerless mother. Needless to say, Doug is rough around the edges, but Marysville, despite his init...more

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Sep 11, 2011 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

There's not much I can say that will do this story justice.

Suffice it say that is an excellent companion piece to "Wednesday Wars" which I thoroughly enjoyed. Yet, While "Wednesday Wars" centers around adorable Holling Hoodhood, who, sure has some crap he has to deal with (namely: shitty dad), "Okay for Now"'s Doug has a whole plethora (thank you Kaitlyn Warren for your high school obsession with that word) of crap to deal with.

Again, we have the terrible father (I think we may have daddy issue...more

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Mar 19, 2013 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ok, a quick review for now. Loved the idea--the emerging artist, the kid trying to make sense of and meaning in life, the beauty and simplicity in the world around us.

That said, I couldn't get past the use of "I'm not lying" and "stupid" every other sentence. Way over-used and took away from the gorgeous writing in other parts.

I also did not like the end--throwing in a last-minute friend's illness seemed unnecessary and a bit contrived...and the relationship with the father just felt disjointed...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: baseball, birds, bullying, historical-fiction-for-kids, ya-kid-lit-for-adults, young-adult

This book has one of my favorite plot arcs- the kids who starts out on his own finds himself by finding a community. I love this plot in all its many forms, and Gary Schmidt, the old pro, certainly does justice to it.

Okay For Now is one of those books that adults who read Children's and YA lit will love, but that tweens and teens are unlikely the gravitate towards on their own. It would be ideal for tween/teen books clubs, 7th and 8th grade English classes, and summer readings lists because alt...more

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Apr 26, 2011 elissa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to elissa by: www.capitolchoices.com

Shelves: 2011favorites, historicalfiction, youngadult, war_stories, survival_stories, readwith_jandl, my_10s_reads, listened-to, capitol_choices_2012

We (2 librarian parents, one 13 yr old boy and one 10 yr old boy) listened to this in the car on a family vacation, and we all agreed that it's one of the best books on CD that we've ever listened to, or at least one of the best in recent memory. This is Schmidt's most emotional book, and while it may not be the best written (and somewhat hard to suspend disbelief a few times--the idea that the ending turns to magical realism works pretty well for me, though), he's such a great writer that it's...more

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Sep 24, 2011 Natalie Wells rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: eng356-books-1-10

Amidst conflict at home, Doug Swieteck makes his way in a new town. Set in the time of the Vietnam War this story discusses family, friendship, and growing up in a creative way. Between his Saturday delivery job and his art lessons at the local library Doug learns to deal maturely with his problems in life as well as develop friendships.
I enjoyed this book very much. The characters were well developed and I appreciated the story line and the underlying messages. My favorite part of the book was...more

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May 13, 2013 Krista rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: caudill-2014

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Doug Swieteck moves with his family to Marisville, NY, after his father loses his job. It is 1968 and he has a brother in Vietnam & they are about to send a man to the moon. His father is an abusive, alcoholic. In the new town, Doug meets a girl he likes in front of the library. He starts going there & learning how to draw after he sees plates of james Audubon's work. He struggles in school because his brother is considered a thug & he is painted with the same brush... plus, he can't...more

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May 12, 2013 Leon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As a fourteen-year-old who just moved to a new town, with no friends and a louse for an older brother, Doug Swieteck has all the stats stacked against him. So begins a coming-of-age masterwork full of equal parts comedy and tragedy from Newbery Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt. As Doug struggles to be more than the “skinny thug” that his teachers and the police think him to be, he finds an unlikely ally in Lil Spicer—a fiery young lady who “smelled like daisies would smell if they were growing in a

...more

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May 11, 2013 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

I LOVED this book. Loved! One of the best books I've read this year. Funny, interesting, heartwarming, sad, and clever. Beautifully written, lovely characters, so charming.

Doug is in junior high, his family just relocated to a small town, and he's miserable. While his mom is sweet as can be, his dad is a bitter, abusive jerk, and his older brother is a horrible bully who terrorizes him any chance he gets.

Doug is sweet, smart, and such a great kid you just want to reach in the book and give him...more

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About Gary D. Schmidt

Gary D. Schmidt is an American children's writer of nonfiction books and young adult novels, including two Newbery Honor books. He lives on a farm in Alto, Michigan,with his wife and six children, where he splits wood, plants gardens, writes, feeds the wild cats that drop by and wishes that sometimes the sea breeze came that far inland. He is a Professor of English at Calvin College.

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Quotes from Okay for Now

“Mr. Powell raised an eyebrow. 'I'm a librarian,' he said. 'I always know what I'm talking about.” — 94 people liked it

“You know, there are good reasons to learn how to read. Poetry isn't one of them. I mean, so what if two roads go two ways in a wood? So what? Who cares if it made all that big a difference? What difference? And why should I have to guess what the difference is? Isn't that what he's supposed to say?

Why can't poets just say what they want to say and then shut up?” — 34 people liked it

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9165406-okay-for-now?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327889281l/9165406.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9165406-okay-for-now?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt[/url]

Okay for Now

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