What are major moments and events from the novel?

The Wednesday Wars is full of major events, and some will be more important to readers than others. I'll list seven events that I think are important to the overall story.  

1. Holling gets placed in the "class" with Mrs. Baker while all of the other kids in school are at their religious studies classes. This is important because without this happening Holling would never establish the great relationship that he has with Mrs. Baker, and he would not learn to appreciate Shakespeare the way he does.


2. Holling saves his sister from being hit by the bus. Up until this point, readers see a lot of antagonism between Holling and his sister; however, Holling's heroic actions really secure his love for his sister. Heather is extremely grateful, and her attitude toward Holling begins to soften at this point in the story.


3. Heather runs away from home and gets stranded, then Holling rescues her. This is important because it cements the loving relationship between Holling and Heather. They know that they can always count on each other no matter what.


4. Meryl Lee and Holling go out on a date. Holling talks about his father's design for the school. Meryl Lee's father incorporates elements of the design, and Holling feels very betrayed by Meryl Lee. It's a rough patch in their relationship, but it is eventually fixed.


5. Holling gets slighted by his idol, Mickey Mantle. Mrs. Baker helps make up for this by contacting two other Yankee players and getting them to play some pickup baseball with Holling and his friends.


6. Holling plays a part in The Tempest and has to wear an embarrassing costume. He gets photographed in the costume and put in the paper. Those pictures are placed all over school, and Holling is mortified.  


7. Holling tries out for cross country and ends up being very good at it. He's so good that he wins the race and gets his first kiss from Meryl Lee as congratulations.