This is a book that I had reasons to not like. I had reasons to be annoyed with the character, or the execution. I was not. I was enthralled, and I was crying, and I was living and breathing for this book. Which is, I think, what Jerry Spinelli does--he takes these characters and he makes you love them, because they're human, and you're human. The message of this book is deep and profound.

This was a very interesting and unique book. And not quite what I expected. At first, I really didn’t care for it. I wasn’t a fan of the main character. I am glad I stuck with it though because I like how the author developed the story and the character. He was very relatable and Ilearned things about myself throughout the story. I feel like this is more of a young adult book and belongs in a middle school but not my elementary library.

Dead Wednesday is an enjoyable book that I read in one sitting, aimed at ages ten and up. It is well written and left me wanting to find out how it ended, even though it was a shorter book. I do wish parts of it had been longer, but I think many readers will enjoy the fact that this book is short. The characters dialogue felt very real and believable, and the premise is great - a whole town warning their teenagers about risk taking in a unique way.

Dead Wednesday does fall into the 'manic pixie dream girl' category, but Becca is still an enjoyable character. There was also a lot of (in my opinion) unnecessary gendering, and while this book is aimed towards a middle grade/ten and up category where kids divide between genders, it reinforces some stereotypes: at one point Worm reminisces about his mother telling him the difference between girls and boys is how they hold their books. A spoiler here, but it also reinforces the 'sometimes being mean to someone is how you show them you like them' stereotype.

I always enjoy books by Jerry Spinelli, and this was no exception. An interesting take on coming into your own in the junior high school years. Wish it had been longer!

"Dead Wednesday" by Jerry Spinelli
Release Date: 8.3.2021

Robbie "Worm" Tarnauer tries to stay out of the spotlight; he just wants to get out of eighth grade without being remembered as "Worm." Eddie, his best friend, can be the center of attention.

Dead Wednesday is supposed to be awesome; the school assigned each eight grader the name of a teenager who died in the previous year due to an accident, like texting and driving or drugs. The students will wear black shirts and become "invisible," ignored by everyone. Worm's classmates figure it's a day to do whatever they want! Worm thinks so, too, but he learns a much bigger lesson.

A short but impactful read. Worm realizes how much he can offer by his assigned "Deader," Becca Finch. I think this would be a great Book Club choice for middle graders with many themes to discuss.


Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in response for an honest review.


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Dead Wednesday, by Jerry Spinelli doesn't disappoint. The author has a great grasp on middle grade teens and all their tribulations. Watching Worm mature, with the help of a ghost, is a joy and the addition of a dead wednesday is a new twist.

Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC of Dead Wednesday by Jerry Spinelli. Eighth-grader, Robbie, nicknamed Worm, is a shy, quiet boy who prefers to stay in the background of life. So when Dead Wednesday comes around, Worm expects it to be a typical day. Dead Wednesday is a day when all eighth-graders are assigned the persona of a teenager who has died from an accident caused by their own poor choices (such as texting and driving) and the entire town ignores them--as if they were dead. But, the universe has more in store for Worm and it changes his life. Jerry Spinelli crafts rich characters and weaves a heartwarming story in Dead Wednesday.

Thanks to NetGalley for this digital ARC.

Jerry Spinelli continues to be a masterful writer, drawing you almost immediately into the world of his characters.
Robbie Tarnauer, better known as Worm to friends and family alike, doesn't like to be the center of attention. He spends his days actively trying to avoid being seen by others, his shyness heavily influenced by insecurities about his physical appearance. This changes on "Dead Wednesday", when the town-wide simulation meant to encourage eighth graders to make good choices becomes a little 'too real' for Worm. His experience changes his attitude, and his life.

This is a short read, but it's well done. While I felt like some moments could've been flushed out in greater detail, I support the pacing as it'd be more impactful for middle grades/young adults this way.
The theme of self-acceptance is heavy-handed, but purposeful. In the beginning I thought I was going to get frustrated with the character of Worm, but that wasn't the case at all. I was definitely cheering for him as his journey continued. (Spoilers ahead) Becca was a great addition and foil to Worm. She seemed familiar, but in the 'I knew someone just like this!' way rather than being reminiscent of another character. I enjoyed how, in the end, while she realized Worm was meant to help HER, it ended up being mutually beneficial.

This will definitely be added to my class library.

Another great Spinelli book giving the reader much to chew on. A whole town goes to great lengths to
engage students in Dead Wednesday, a day in June in which all 8th graders are ignored in an attempt
open their eyes about the dangers of reckless life choices (i.e. drinking, texting and driving, drugs, etc.)
Each student is assigned the name and short bio of a Deader. Worm, shy and reserved, has looked
forward to Dead Wednesday for years, waiting to do whatever he wants with no consequence. He is
anxious to spend the day with his popular best friend, a guy who really knows how to live! As he slips on
the black t-shirt of the dead, he meets Becca Finch, who teaches him how much he has to offer and how
precious life is.

Interesting book concept and characters. Would give young adults much to think about and discuss!

I have been a fan of Jerry Spinelli's work for a long time, and Dead Wednesday did not disappoint. The narrative style in this one struck as me being similar to Loser, but not just because of the third-person point of view. The protagonist of Dead Wednesday, Worm Tarnauer, will tug at your heartstrings the same Zinkoff did in Loser.

Dead Wednesday is a tradition the whole town gets behind in an attempt to help 8th graders avoid potentially fatal decisions as they head into their high school years. Each 8th grader is assigned the name of a local teen who passed away due to avoidable reasons (mostly accidents involving risky behavior). Students were black t-shirts and are ignored by others for the day to encourage quiet reflection. However, for most 8th graders being ignored by adults is more of an invitation to act out than to turn inward.

Worm approaches the day expecting to celebrate his freedom in the comfort of his best friend's shadow. That is until Becca Finch, the dead teen whose name he was assigned, takes over his day, determined to show him how not to miss truly living another minute of his life. During their day together, Worm begins to realize how much the world has to offer, and maybe, just maybe, how much he has to offer the world.

The plot of Dead Wednesday is an interesting premise that makes you want to keep reading. The main character Worm has an intriguing outlook on life and his encounters with Becca are engaging. It really makes you think as a result of the concept of the day where students spend the day invisible to others experiencing what it would be like if they were no longer there. Lots worth discussing can come from reading this book as a book club or a class.

Every year on Dead Wednesday, 8th graders are taught a lesson about reckless behavior. They’re given a name of a teen who recently passed away by making a reckless decision - drinking and drinking, texting and driving, etc. - and the whole community completely ignores them to help them reflect on their choices.

Worm is looking forward to Dead Wed because he is certain this will be his day of complete freedom. You can get away with a lot when all teachers and adult will ignore ANYTHING you do. Instead, he learns a bigger lesson than he’s expecting to.

This was a very thematic book. There was a lot to reflect on and think about. I enjoyed the characters, but they were not very deep. This is the type of book that fully relies on the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope, but does it with a purpose in mind and does it well. This is definitely something a little bit different in the YA genre.