What conflicts are in Gary Schmidt's The Wednesday Wars?

The central conflict in Gary Schmidt's The Wednesday Warsis an internal conflict within the protagonist Holling Hoodhood. Holling is not brave enough to stand his ground and, as a result, feels hated, bullied, and humiliated at school and neglected by his own father at home. As the story progresses, Holling develops bravery to the point that he can stand up to his father. Additionally, there are many minor external conflicts within the story, especially character...

The central conflict in Gary Schmidt's The Wednesday Wars is an internal conflict within the protagonist Holling Hoodhood. Holling is not brave enough to stand his ground and, as a result, feels hated, bullied, and humiliated at school and neglected by his own father at home. As the story progresses, Holling develops bravery to the point that he can stand up to his father. Additionally, there are many minor external conflicts within the story, especially character vs. character conflicts.

One character vs. character conflict occurs between Holling and Meryl Lee Kowalksi after Holling takes her on their Valentine's Day date. While waiting for Meryl Lee's father to arrive at Woolworth's, Holling and Meryl Lee begin chatting about the designs their fathers are working on for the new junior high school. Their fathers are rivals, but neither Meryl Lee nor Holling see any danger in talking about their fathers' plans. Holling even draws out his father's design to show her, and she keeps his sketch. When Holling accompanies his father at the meeting of the school board to choose the design, Holling is shocked to see Mr. Kowalski present a combination of his own design and Mr. Hoodhood's—a classic exterior with a very modern interior:

No pillars, no straight walls. The roof a series of glass plates above the science and art rooms ("February").

Holling feels betrayed by Meryl Lee and thinks their date was only a setup for Meryl Lee to steal the design. Meryl Lee explains she showed her father Holling's drawing "because it was so good" and had no idea he would actually steal it. Holling believes her when he sees she has been crying all day and makes amends.