- This topic has 2 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 8 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.
August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.
“Wonder is the best kids’ book of the year,” said Emily Bazelon, senior editor at Slate.com and author of Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.
Finished this up the other day and really enjoyed it. I liked the different perspectives of the story. The school culture is so hard with peer pressure, growing up, maturing and trying to maneuver through it all. My kids are still really young but you can already see how a kid’s life at home shapes how they think and behave in a social environment. Even in first grade, Malia is learning how to maneuver through the “mean girls” & I’m having more conversations with other parents to help them work through conflicts. I shudder to think about what all that is like as they get older.
I really liked the different viewpoints. I found Miranda’s the most interesting. I’m glad that despite her behavior being fed by insecurities, she let kindness bring her back. I don’t know how often that happens in real life, but I like to think it happens more often than not.
Jack’s was really interesting too. It’s easy to just go with the flow and stay under the radar when people are gossiping. To turn your back on what’s safe to do what’s right? Much harder to do. It’s okay to have a few good friends than to run with the popular crowd.
What was sad for me was when Via’s grandmother told her that she was her favorite because August had “many angels” looking out for him. Such an important thing for her to hear. I have 2 very healthy kids and I struggle with finding balance for each of them. Malia soaks up so much of my time and sweet Max, I’m trying to make sure he gets just as much attention. To have a child who needs attention medically, socially, emotionally, etc, it’s easy to let the “normal” child fend for herself. I imagine it’s much like families dealing with children with cancer.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
