Hw did Holling's friends change him in The Wednesday Wars?

Holling's friends change him by offering him the
unconditional love and support he needs to become a fully realized human
being.

From reading The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince
of Denmark, Holling learns that instead of searching for one's self, one
should instead be looking for a home. In other words, Holling understands that it is in
allowing one's self to be loved by others, or finding a "home," that an individual finds
his identity. Holling does not receive that kind of love in his disfunctional family,
but fortunately is able to draw strength from caring people in his school community in
order to reach his full potential.

Some of the friends who
support Holling in his development are Meryl Lee Kowalski and her father, Danny Hupfer
and his family, and Mrs. Baker. Once they get over the awkwardness of their attraction
for each other, Meryl Lee and Holling become true friends, being comfortable partners in
school projects and enjoying just hanging out together. Meryl Lee supports Holling by
attending his performances and activities, and Mr. Kowalski gives Holling a ride so that
he can pick up his sister at the train station after his own father callously refuses.
Danny Hupfer shows his loyalty in a special way when he returns his autographed baseball
to Mickey Mantle after the famous player treats Holling rudely, and Danny's family takes
Holling home from the autograph event when Holling's own parents can't be bothered,
commiserating in silence after Mickey Mantle rebuffs him. Mrs. Baker comes to Holling's
aid time and time again, arranging a meeting for him and some friends with two members
of the Yankees to make up for his disappointment at his treatment by Mickey Mantle,
waiting with him at the hospital after he is hit by the schoolbus, and taking him to
Opening Day at the Stadium after his father once again lets him down. Through the love
and support Holling receives from his friends, he learns the value of caring from and
for others, to the extent that he is able to provide for his sister what neither of them
receive at home from their parents - someone to love them, and help them grow to become
mature and productive individuals.