Gary D. Schmidt Bücher

Die Charakterisierung boshafter Nazifiguren als homosexuell hat sich seit Ende der zwanziger Jahre innerhalb der Linken und des antifaschistischen Exils als Stereotyp eingebürgert. Bis in die Gegenwart werden Homosexualität, Männerbünde und Faschismus miteinander in Verbindung gebracht. Sehr im Gegensatz zu dieser fragwürdigen Unterstellung haben die Nationalsozialisten Homosexualität mit brutalen Mitteln verfolgt, und das von ihnen geprägte negative Bild des Homosexuellen wirkt im Bewusstsein der Nachkriegsgesellschaft fort. So kann es kaum verwundern, dass die Literatur der fünfziger Jahre das Thema Homosexualität und homosexuelle Figuren für unterschiedlichste Arten von Vergangenheitsbewältigung aufgreift. Gary Schmidt legt erstmals eine Bestandsaufnahme zu dieser Thematik vor: Während Böll insbesondere in seiner Erzählung „Der Zug war pünktlich“ Homosexualität mit dem Nazi-Staat identifiziert und als Bedrohung der heilen Familie und ‚gesunder' Vater-Sohn-Beziehungen darstellt, benutzt Koeppen Homosexualität gerade dazu, dem Versagen der Familie als Keimzelle des Staates den Außenseiter gegenüberzustellen, der sich nicht auf den Nationalsozialismus eingelassen hat. Alfred Andersch schließlich reproduziert zunächst in seinem Roman „Die Rote“ das negative Klischee vom charakterlosen schwulen Verräter und Weichling. In „Winterspelt“ thematisiert er erstmals auch Homosexuelle als Opfer des Nationalsozialismus.

Seventh-grader Hercules Beal has to figure out how to fulfill his teacher's assignment of performing the Twelve Labors of Hercules in real life, and discovers important things about friendship, community, and himself along the way.

National Book Award Finalist " A] stealthily powerful, unexpectedly affirming story of discovering and rescuing one's best self."--Booklist, starred review In this companion novel to The Wednesday Wars, Doug struggles to be more than the "skinny thug" that some people think him to be. He finds an unlikely ally in Lil Spicer, who gives him the strength to endure an abusive father, the suspicions of a town, and the return of his oldest brother, forever scarred, from Vietnam. Schmidt expertly weaves multiple themes of loss and recovery in a story teeming with distinctive, unusual characters and invaluable lessons about love, creativity, and survival.

The pilgrim Christian undertakes the dangerous journey to the Celestial City, experiencing physical and spiritual obstacles along the way.

From celebrated author Gary D. Schmidt comes a picture book biography of a giant in the struggle for civil rights, perfectly pitched for readers today.

The narrative follows the journey of two men from contrasting backgrounds—one affluent and one impoverished—who discover their shared ability to create miracles. This engaging and visually appealing tale offers children a delightful exploration of divine influence in everyday life, making complex spiritual concepts accessible and relatable. With vibrant illustrations enhancing the storytelling, it serves as both an entertaining read and a valuable lesson in faith and action.

With insight and a light touch, best-selling, Newbery Honorwinning author Gary D. Schmidt tells two poignant, linked stories: that of a grieving girl andaboy trying to escape his violent past.

"Jack, 12, tells the gripping story of Joseph, 14, who joins his family as a foster child. Damaged in prison, Joseph wants nothing more than to find his baby daughter, Jupiter, whom he has never seen. When Joseph has begun to believe he'll have a future, he is confronted by demons from his past that force a tragic sacrifice"--

Meet Holling Hoodhood, a seventh-grader at Camillo Junior High, who must spend Wednesday afternoons with his teacher, Mrs. Baker, while the rest of the class has religious instruction. Mrs. Baker doesn’t like Holling—he’s sure of it. Why else would she make him read the plays of William Shakespeare outside class? But everyone has bigger things to worry about, like Vietnam. His father wants Holling and his sister to be on their best behavior: the success of his business depends on it. But how can Holling stay out of trouble when he has so much to contend with? A bully demanding cream puffs; angry rats; and a baseball hero signing autographs the very same night Holling has to appear in a play in yellow tights! As fate sneaks up on him again and again, Holling finds Motivation—the Big M—in the most unexpected places and musters up the courage to embrace his destiny, in spite of himself.