Okay for Now

Written by Gary D. Schmidt

Bibliographic data

Schmidt, Gary D. 2011. Okay for Now. New York: Clarion Books.

ISBN 9780547152608

Plot Summary

This story is about a piece of 14 year old, Doug Swieteck’s life. It includes challenges he faces with family, teachers, police officers, and other citizens of Marysville, New York. In what seems like a pretty rotten time, comes a mentor, Mr. Powell and a friend, Lil Spicer, that start to brighten Doug’s life.

Critical Analysis

Gary Schmidt does a fabulous job with the creation of his characters. The reader can really identify with some, envy some, and despise others. As I was reading, I felt every emotion the characters went through. I was especially drawn to the times when Doug (the main character) talks to the reader by saying, “You know what this feels like.” It makes the reader really think about how it would feel. I also loved reading and being a part of Doug’s transformation from a grumpy teenage boy hating everything except baseball, to an appreciative young adult.

A main piece of this story is the relationship Doug finds in the Birds of America book by John James Audubon. In a new town where everyone is a stranger, the Arctic Tern, Plate CCL, is the start of Doug’s fascination with bringing things back together and making them whole again. With a little encouragement from Mr. Powell at the public library, Doug learns that he can draw. This is a starting point to Doug’s life turning around.

Schmidt’s description of the setting in 1968 is very detailed and alive. When Doug is delivering groceries in the heat you can really see the sweat dripping off of him. In the winter months the reader can imagine the frigid air and the snow soaking through Doug’s shoes and pants. Through every part of the novel, I could actually envision the town, streets, and houses that Schmidt describes.

The story is written in the first person of Doug with quotes, inner monologues, and talking to the reader. Schmidt wrote this story with such grace and elegance. On the book jacket Schmidt provides information on the images throughout the book. He notes that the images are from John James Audubon’s Birds of America. I would definitely recommend this book to adults and students in secondary to get them interested in historical nonfiction.

Review Excerpts

• ALA Notable Children’s Books 2012
• “[A] stealthily powerful, unexpectedly affirming story of discovering and rescuing one’s best self.” Booklist starred review
• “There are laugh-out-loud moments here, and passages that will move a reader to tears; it’s brilliant, and beautiful, and very nearly a perfect book.” Library Media Connection
• “Schmidt’s masterful characterization and balance of humor and pathos make this coming-of-age novel so memorable.” School Library Journal

Connections

• Intended for Grades 6-9
• Have the students write about what they think is happening to the birds in the Audubon prints.
• Since the story was set in the late 1968, the students can research articles from that time to find out more about the Vietnam War and other events of the time.
• In groups have the students describe how the different characters transform throughout the book.