Okay for Now
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Schmidt, Gary D. 2011. Okay for Now. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN
9780544022805.
PLOT SUMMARY
In 1968
many important things are happening such as the Apollo space mission, Joe
Pepitone from the New York Yankees having a solid season and the Vietnam War. For Doug, it is becoming the new kid in town
and dealing with unpleasant situations as home.
Things at home are not the best, there is his abusive father, an irresponsible
and trouble-making brother, his oldest brother is in the Vietnam War and to top
it off things at school are not going that great. Doug comes upon the book Birds of America
by John Audubon and is mesmerized by it.
Doug now has a new mission of learning how to draw the birds. He develops two important relationships one
being Mr. Powell, one of the librarians, who helps Doug with his drawings and
“Lil,” who helps Doug get a job in her father’s deli as a delivery boy. With
the help of Mr. Powel and Lil his mission becomes easier to reach.
CRITICAL
ANALYSIS
Doug is a
boy who even though his home life is a difficult one the reader gets a sense
that he wants to do his best to avoid falling into his brother and dad’s
footsteps. There are times that he is
conflicted in behaving in a well-mannered way and acting like his brother
especially when situations arise where he feels he is being attacked by his
teachers, peers and father. His love for
his mom is what also makes him want to do the right thing. The time setting of 1968, where such
important events in history were happening, tie to Doug’s mission of trying to
achieve something that at first, he was unsure he would be able to do. Even though he was captivated by the plates
of Audubon’s Birds of America he didn’t have the confidence that he
could draw. With the assistance
of Mr. Powell, the librarian, and his friendship with Lil his
confidence grows, and he works to achieve his own mission. The theme in this book is perseverance in
achieving what one wants even during times when things seem not to be going the
right direction. Even with difficulties
at home and at school, through hard work and dedication, Doug was able to
succeed in accomplishing what he set his mind to do. Not only did he accomplish his mission, but he
was also able to help his brother who came back wounded from the Vietnam war by
getting him a job at the school.
2011 National
Book Award Finalist
BOOKLIST:
[A] stealthily powerful, unexpectedly affirming story of discovering and
rescuing one’s best self.”
SCHOOL
LIBRARY JOURNAL: Engaging, tough, and endearing story.”
SAN
FRANCISCO BOOK REVIEW: “Sometimes funny, sometimes frightening, never boring.”
CONNECTIONS
Learn more
about John James Audubon’s Birds of America by visiting https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america.
After
Reading this book effects on landing on the moon and of the Vietnam War can be
furthered discussed.
Read other
historical fiction from the late 60s such as:
Schmidt,
Gary. The Wednesday Wars. ISBN 0618724834
Williams-Garcia,
Rita. One Crazy Summer. ISBN 0060760885
Comments
Post a Comment