My youngest daughter, Emily, is soon going to read Wonder as part of her English class. In fact, her entire school, Holman Middle School, will be reading this book. So, per a suggestion by the principal to purchase this book, I did and then I read it (it's now in Emily's room waiting for her). Oh, if only I could have read such a book when I was in middle school. I only hope that Em likes the book as much as I do.
It's a brilliant work in terms of layout and I think will be a hit with kids because the chapters are short and they flow like you are listening in on a conversation. I told Em it was a bit "gossipy" at times, and it is. You feel like you are privy to a really good conversation, even if the person who is speaking is just relaying their thoughts. The other layout piece that I love so much is that the book is divided into sections and each child character from the book gets a section of their very own. The sections are then divided into chapters where each character tells a part of the story on their words. It's brilliant. And because you are caught inside this conversation, the pages turn fast.
The story covers the entire fifth grade year of August Pullman, Auggie. Auggie has never attended "real school" before. He has previously been homeschooled, due to a genetic facial abnormality that made life fairly difficult for Auggie. He has always wanted to keep his face covered, either with a mask or with long hair, and has been dealing with unfavorable reactions from people when they get a glimpse of his face. But, as he is ready to begin Middle School, it's time for Auggie to begin traditional school. And thus begins Wonder, Auggie's story of his first year in private Middle School.
As I read this story, I really pondered how Holman was going to tackle the discussion of this book. Was there going to be talk about bullying or about the importance of including others? As a teacher myself, I know how important being nice to others is and how necessary it is for kids to get along at school. As a human, I know how hard that is, even under the easiest of circumstances. There are just some people you don't want to be friends with in this world. You do, however, have to show them respect and be nice. And then you move on. But, it wasn't until I read the very end of the book when I got it. (Or at least I think I got it). School is hard. For some, it's the academics. For some it's social. For some, God love them, it's both. But the bottom line is that school is hard for everyone in some way. And, every child in Wonder, not just Auggie, had some sort of struggle, even the beautiful girls and the popular boys, that they were dealing with inside. Every one of us has a struggle to overcome--it might be a class that's really hard, or it might be that you have a facial deformity--and because of this, we are all in the same boat. So, instead of paddling in opposite directions and getting nowhere, why not just be nice to each other, respect each other, and, as a result, help each other overcome these little struggles, and become who we were meant to be?
Mr. Tushman, during his graduation address, quoted J.M. Barrie, author of The Little Bird: "Shall we make a new rule of life...always try to be a little kinder than is necessary?" I think we all should. All of us...adults, too. (Maybe adults especially!) If we just worked a little harder to be a little kinder than what's really necessary, imagine what our world can be. Holman is on to something...if they can reach their students, who are 10-14, and can get this message to them now, imagine what kind of adults they could grow up to be? And, if these students share the message, imagine how the kindness can spread? Perhaps this is just the beginning of a new generation of people. I am so glad that my daughter gets to be part of this.
Thank you, Holman Middle School, for spreading this unbelievable message of kindness and strength to your students.
Foy my adult readers, you should read this too. This one is not just for kids.
Happy reading everyone!
:) Dodie
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