April Reads 16-20 Wonder by R.J. Palacio

[Madelyn]

1.Did you like the way the author told the story from different view points?

2.Whose viewpoint did you enjoy the most?

3.What parts of the story made you the saddest?

4.What parts of the story made you laugh?

5.Which character did you relate to the most?

6.Which of Mr. Browne's precepts did you like best? Why?

7.How did you feel about the ending?

8.What was the most important thing you learned from this book?

[Jade]

I LOVED this book! Every child should read this book! Hell, every adult should read this book!
I really enjoyed getting the different perspectives in this book! I really enjoyed Jack's perspective, especially when he realizes why Auggie's made at him after Summer's hint. And of course I love the attitude Auggie has about him, knowing that people will stare at first glance and sometimes not know how to react to seeing him.
I burst into tears when Daisy died - probably didn't help that I had my own dog cuddling with me. I cracked up at the jokes about Mr. Tushman by Auggie and his parents.
Talk about don't judge a book by its cover! This book reminds us not to have any preconceptions about anyone until we really get to know him/her. If you want to know something about someone - ask. The worst they can say is that they don't want to discuss it.
Also kids can be really mean. I hope I wasn't that mean in elementary/middle school!

[Colleen]

I loved this book too. Loved the way it was told through the viewpoints from the characters. The precepts were great - go Homer Simpson! - and I liked Summer's character, she was really nice. No one seems to like the book's cover at all. I liked how the author left what Auggie really looks like up to the imagination. I hope more people are aware of their actions/reactions to those who are different looking. I try to be more casual about it, and try to give my kids some insight into that also. It was hard to read about some of the kids' reactions to him, people are cruel, but we can all do a better job. That was my most important takeaway. Daisy dying was really sad I agree. My 5th grade daughter read it for school and really liked it.

[Jacey]

I really loved this book. It was heartbreaking, but had such a great message. If I were a teacher, I would most definitely have my class read this book. I agree with Jade that all kids and adults can get something out of this and should read it.

Auggie is one of my new favorite fictional characters, and I loved reading the parts from his POV. He was written as a normal kid and acted that way in so many parts. However, at certain points he acted with a level of maturity that is lacking in most adults.

The most difficult part for me to read was the Halloween, Bleeding Scream scene. I rarely cry, but this scene had me sobbing. I had to stop reading for the night and watch a funny movie because it depressed me. The scene where Jack and Auggie make fun of Via's boyfriend being from Brooklyn cracked me up. I'm not sure if it was that it was actually so funny, or just so well written that I felt like I was watching it happen with my younger siblings.

I probably related the most to Via. I don't have children, but I have three younger siblings that mean the world to me. None of them have a disability or illness like Auggie, but I related to her protective instinct along with the frustration that siblings can cause.

I loved the ending, and Auggie's precept about standing ovations. It really is hard to think of one lesson that specifically stood out to me. I guess one I specifically have been trying to work on is that immediate reaction upon seeing someone who looks different, the millisecond pause or hesitation that Auggie mentions multiple times.

[Erin]

I think this is my favorite book so far :) I liked Justin's point of view, maybe because he was far enough from the center of action that he was able to see the main characters with objectivity. All the children envy the Pullman parent. It is a sad, but real, statement on our society. So many families are fractured or damaged, but Auggie, with all his physical trials, is blessed. He has a family who loves him, who are involved and interested.