Dead Wednesday
Planet Grief by Jerry Spinelli
youth, 10-13 years
On Dead Wednesday, every eighth grader in Amber Springs is assigned the name and identity of a teenager who died a preventable death in the past year. The kids don black shirts and for the whole day everyone in town pretends they’re invisible—as if they weren’t even there. The adults think it will make them contemplate their mortality. The kids know it’s a free pass to get away with anything.
Worm Tarnauer feels invisible every day. He’s perfectly happy being the unnoticed sidekick of his friend Eddie. So he’s not expecting Dead Wednesday to feel that different. But he didn’t count on being assigned Becca Finch (17, car crash). And he certainly didn’t count on Becca showing up to boss him around! Letting this girl into his head is about to change everything.
This is the story of the unexpected, heartbreaking, hilarious, truly epic day when Worm Tarnauer discovers his own life.
Dead for the Day
When I first picked up this book, I was unsure of what to expect. The synopsis caught my attention, and I was intrigued to see how the story would unfold. The concept of a whole grade of students being considered “dead” for a day, ignored by everyone including their parents, peers, and teachers, was fascinating.
The protagonist of the story is known as Worm, a shy and awkward kid whose best friend is the complete opposite – outgoing and popular. Worm has a crush on the most popular girl in school and is disliked by one of the “nerdiest” students.
On “Dead Wednesday,” every 8th grade student is given the name of a classmate who died in a preventable manner. Worm is assigned the name of a girl and is not pleased with the assignment. However, things take an unexpected turn when the girl he is assigned to “haunts” him – he can see and speak to her, and even feel her touch.
This twist sets Worm on a journey of self-discovery and the book delves into important themes such as identity, the inevitability of accidents, and the impact of our choices on our lives. It’s a captivating story that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on your own life. As Worm learns and grows, readers will be taken on an exciting adventure.
Recommendation:
In my opinion, this is a great read for middle schoolers as it is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The book touches on topics such as life and death, and how we perceive death.
It should be noted that the book does feature a ghost, the spirit of a girl who died in a tragic car accident. However, the ghost is not depicted as scary or grotesque; she appears and behaves as she did before her death.
Overall, if you’re looking for a book that will entertain you and make you think, this is an excellent choice.
