Okay For Now

Okay For Now

by Gary D. Schmidt

Gary D. Schmidt was born in New York and has written over 10 books for children and young adults. He is a two time Newbery Honor winning author for his Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy published in 2004 and The Wednesday Wars published in 2007.  Presently he is an English professor in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Schmidt earned a MA in English literature and a Ph.D. in medieval literature.



In Okay For Now Doug is an 8th grader in 1968 who is forced to move towns because of his dad's new job. Doug must face problems like being the new kid in school, his brother Chris being tagged as a robber, his father's anger that almost tears up the family, his older brother coming home from Vietnam and more. Doug becomes friends (and then more) with Lil, becomes part of a Broadway play and learns how to draw with the help of a friendly librarian & Birds of America.
 
Vardell explains that it's important for historical fiction to have "universal themes that still speak to readers of today" (pg. 191). Although Schmidt incorporates elements from Doug's time like the Vietnam war, Babe Ruth and the Apollo space missions, he still  manages to successfully add themes that readers from any generation can relate to like healing from an abusive father and brother, dealing with feeling inferior and finding self-worth.

Doug's thoughts of humans taking their first steps on the moon mixed with surviving junior high and overcoming being seen as other than 'the kid whose brother is a criminal' makes him realize that anything is possible. 

Professional Reviews for Okay For Now:

• Voice of Youth Advocates: "Schmidt writes a journal-type story with a sharp attention to detail, patterns in the story line, and an unexpected twist at the end. It is well written."

• School Library Journal: "Schmidt's masterful characterization and balance of humor and pathos make this coming-of-age novel so memorable."
• Booklist: "stealthily powerful, unexpectedly affirming story of discovering and rescuing one's best self."

More books by Schmidt
Educator Guide: Okay For Now.
Author interview

Schmidt, Gary D. Okay For Now. New York: Clarioin Books, 2011. 

ISBN 978-0-547-15260-8

$6.99 at Barnes & Noble

Work consulted: Vardell, Sylvia M. Children's Literature in Action: A Librarian's Guide. Connecticut: Libraries Unlimited, 2008. 

Author photo from https://hmhbooks.com/schmidt/about.html