If you were in high school in the late ’60s or early ’70s, Linda Kass’ novel, World News from Waverley High will resonate with you. The coming-of-age novel brings back memories with its news of Vietnam, campus unrest, racial unrest and politics. Music and books tie the story together during the 1969-1970 school year.
Lena Rosen begins her junior year at an integrated high school in Columbus, Ohio. She’s excited about working on the school newspaper, The Beacon. Her position as associate editor allows her to interact with various students throughout the school. Her elective class, Current History, reflects that. “Current History is filled with juniors and seniors and this class is representative of the student body – some geeks, some jocks, girls, guys, Black kids, white kids, Jews, Christians, along with other religions and nationalities.” Between that class and the newspaper, Lena is exposed to all the turmoil of the year.
Month-by-month, Lena observes the stories that affect high school students and the country during the turbulent year. She gets to know Black students, and observes their sit-in, and attends a funeral service at a Black church. Her background as the daughter of two Jewish immigrants is totally different from some of her friends. She shares the same fears as her classmates when she watches campus protests on CBS News with Walter Cronkite, but she has a personal connection because her older sister attends Kent State University. One of her classmates, who doesn’t plan to attend college, plans a concert for peace. Because she covers student council meetings, Lena interacts with students from all grade levels, and observes the actions of students who care about the pollution issue.
Although it might sound like a lot to cover in one school year; Vietnam, politics, environmental concerns, the civil rights movement, Kass handles it beautifully through the eyes of a teenager. Lena is dating a fellow student who is not Jewish, and she worries about that, worries about their relationship.She’s a student immersed in journalism and current events, who also keeps up with the current music scene, attends parties, and sneaks into movies. The music and books provide the background for the unsettled climate of 1969-70.
The inclusion of an annotated list of the music featured in the book adds to the nostalgia. But, World News from Waverley High isn’t a sweet remembrance of a high school year. There are typical high school moments, football games and pep rallies, assemblies and parties. It’s a story that begins with newspaper accounts of Woodstock, and ends with a documentary film about the event. For those of us who remember that year, it’s also a reminder of the anxiety and unrest. It’s a compelling story of history as it was made.
Linda Kass’ website is https://www.lindakass.com/
World News from Waverley High by Linda Kass. She Writes Press, 2026. 223p.
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book
Wow, I graduated from high school in 1964, I want to read this and her other three books, especially the one about Bess Myerson!
I graduated in 1975, Carol, so I’m a few years younger than the main character. I remember the events and music, though. And, I went to Kent State five years after the shootings, so it was still a “current event” on the campus.
This would have just flown by under my radar, Lesa. As a 1966 high school graduate I need to take a look at this. Thank you!
Kaye, Linda Kass is the owner of Gramercy Books, my favorite local independent bookstore. I’ve had “coffee” with her, and see her at events. So, I was eager to pick it up. She Writes Books isn’t a big publisher, so it won’t attract a lot of attention. But, for those of us who enjoy coming-of-age books, and remember those years, it’s an excellent book.
1965 here (I graduated at 16), so definitely of interest, but then I have always liked books that go through a year like that. The most recent one I read was Curtis Sittenfeld’s PREP, obviously based on her experiences at Groton.
Jeff, Although she changed the name of the high school, Linda Kass obviously based the high school on her high school here in Columbus. She’s local & owns a bookstore I frequent, Gramercy Books. She brings in a number of the authors that I’ve gone to hear.
I liked the format of the book, and I’m sure you’ll appreciate all the music that provides background.
Lesa, the person I thought of immediately here was Bill Crider. He once sent me a book he loved about a guy Bill’s age or several years older, who hit it big and used some of the money to buy his old high school – this was clearly a fairly small school – then invited everyone from his graduating class to move in to the school. I think it was a milestone graduation.
I wish I could remember the author and title – clearly it meant more to Bill than me – but I enjoyed it.
Come to think of it, I got it! I suddenly homed in on the class of 1957, and I found it:
William Heyen, Vic Holyfield and the Class of 1957 (1986).
Am I good or am I good?
Very good, Jeff! I’m sure I wouldn’t have remembered such an odd title from a while ago.
Well, darn. The cheapest copy is $20. Another paperback is $31. And, the library doesn’t have it.
Nah, I wouldn’t spend that much. Maybe another will turn up.
My older sister was the editor of her high school newspaper in that same year. I’ll have to pass this along to her. thanks
You’re welcome, MM!