Dead Wednesday
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2021 · Est. 4 hour read

Dead Wednesday

By Jerry Spinelli

A shy boy's life changes when a gone girl returns on Dead Wednesday.

3.4/5 Goodreads · 1,997 ratings
240 pages· 36,648 words· Est. 4 hour read
$8.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

On Dead Wednesday, eighth graders in Amber Springs embody teens who died preventable deaths. Worm Tarnauer, usually invisible, is assigned Becca Finch, a girl who died in a car crash. But Becca isn't just a name; she appears, turning Worm's world upside down. As Becca challenges him, Worm faces an unexpected journey of self-discovery. Will this encounter with the past help him find his own voice? Dive into a day where the invisible becomes unforgettable, and life takes on new meaning.

From the publisher

Can playing dead bring you back to life? Maybe on Dead Wednesday… On this day the worlds of a shy boy and a gone girl collide, and the connection they make will change them both forever. A brilliant new novel from the Newbery Medal winner and author of the New York Times bestseller Stargirl. Jerry Spinelli has created another middle grade masterpiece. –BookPage, starred review 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.

At a glance
Format
Pages
240
Words
36,648
Reading age
10–13
Audience
Middle Grade
Lexile
HL550L
Themes & topics
Books about deathBooks about feelings and emotionsBooks about schoolBooks about ghostsBooks about social themes
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The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
3.9
F&P level
~N
AR points
5
AR interest level
MG
AR quiz
511783
Publication
Published
April 25, 2023
First published
August 3, 2021
Publisher
Yearling
Edition
Language
English
Type
Chapter Book
Identifiers
ISBN
9780593306703

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