The Wednesday Wars

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What was the Vietnam War? How does it fit into the social unrest that rocked the United States and the world during the 1960s (and beyond)?

Teaching Suggestion: The subject of the Vietnam War was, and still is, steeped in controversy. It is an important topic. Educators can help students approach the topic with nuance, balance, and sensitivity, perhaps by helping students understand the context that influenced policy, perceptions, and public opinion. Teachers can utilize these or similar resources to connect to the novel’s major themes of Coming of Age and Unrest in the 1960s.

• The History Channel has several pages of material dedicated to the Vietnam War including a detailed timeline.
• PBS American Experience features documentary films, trailers, clips, and articles that might provide more context.
• John Green’s CrashCourse: US History #38 video, “The Cold War in Asia,” provides historical and philosophical background on the Vietnam War (13 minutes).
• The Vietnam War is also a popular topic for children participating in National History Day projects (via