Wonder [Apr 1, 2019]

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Wonder - R.J. Palacio

April 1, 2019.

[Robin P]

Thank you, Jenna! :)

[Aakash]

I just saw this in an article of best books to read on some website so I am gonna join in this BR.

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Paritoshika wrote: "Thank you, Jenna! :)"

You're welcome! Enjoy the book :)

[Saar The Book owl]

I'm in!

[Robin P]

Alright! So we start this today!

[Robin P]

Aakash wrote: "I just saw this in an article of best books to read on some website so I am gonna join in this BR."

Please do!

[Aakash]

Of course. I am gonna start this in the afternoon.

[Aakash]

Read ‘Paging with Mr. Tushman. Its really funny in the starting.
(view spoiler)[Especially the jokes about Mr. Tushman and Mrs. Butt😁. I liked the character of August's mother. She found a beauty in Auggie's face. The parents are really very supporting as they should have. I agree with August's mother decision about going to school. August has to face his problems from early age. (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

Checking in and starting in a couple of minutes :)

[Saar The Book owl]

@Aakash: I totally agree with your post. (view spoiler)[August is such a kid that you want to hug and never let go. He's so brave for making this decision and to deal with his problem. I like his parents too and I can imagine Via standing up for August. I don't like Julian so far. It's like Isabel said, that he faces the adults in a different way then the children. I'm now starting 'First Day - Jitters'. (hide spoiler)]
Did anyone see the movie? I haven't. So far, the writing style is really enjoyable and makes you able to read at a managable pace.

[Saar The Book owl]

Chapter 'Choose kind': (view spoiler)[I wish there were more teachers like Mr. Browne. I've got the feeling that he'll make school a bit easier for August.
That 'Darth Sidious' joke of Julian was totally under the belt! I think that he's a bully. Maybe with jack it will be a bit easier to make friends. (hide spoiler)]

[Robin P]

On page 18.
You know, this book reminds me of Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper l. In that book too there is a 10 year old girl who has Cerebral Palsy. What an amazing book it is! And Wonder reminds me of it. I like Nate. I always like books where the father has a warm, supportive role in his kids' lives like in All The Light We Cannot See or To Kill a Mockingbird...

[Robin P]

Page 35. (view spoiler)[ I am wondering how brave these people are like August, and their ordeals are so different from ours. Like we dont have to worry about people freaking out on seeing our faces or avoiding touch or avoiding to even look up into our eyes These things never really occur to us- the "normal" people...and yet some people are facing these hardhips on a daily basis. How much courage they must have to put up with everything, especially with insensitive, insolent brutes..while we worry about unpaid bills, our weight, hair, pimples and stuff. I mean they are the real heroes. It's easier to talk about motivation and positivity when you are born with a silver spoon....and a totally different thing to live through such challenges and still shine like gold!

Sometimes I tend to get too philosophical. 😂 Apologies. (hide spoiler)]

[Robin P]

Saar The Book owl wrote: "@Aakash: I totally agree with your post. [spoilers removed]
Did anyone see the movie? I haven't. So far, the writing style is really enjoyable and makes you able to read at a managable pace."

I agree on the writing style part. Simple and easy to follow through.

[Aakash]

Saar The Book owl wrote: "@Aakash: I totally agree with your post. [spoilers removed]
Did anyone see the movie? I haven't. So far, the writing style is really enjoyable and makes you able to read at a managable pace."
I haven't seen the movie but I will after reading this. About the style of writing I agree with you. The format is simple and unique. I am having very fun while reading this.

[Aakash]

Saar The Book owl wrote: "Chapter 'Choose kind': I wish there were more teachers like Mr. Browne. I've got the feeling that he'll make school a bit easier for August.
That 'Darth Sidious' joke of Julian was totally under t..."
I totally agree with you. (view spoiler)[Mr. Browne is really very kind. His precepts may change some people's mind especially Julian. I kind of started hating that guy. I liked Jack's behaviour. He's the only one who is trying to befriend August. (hide spoiler)]

[Aakash]

‘Padawan’
(view spoiler)[ I really feel sad for Isabel after reading this chapter. How hard it is for her to convince her child that he is not ugly. When August asked why he had to be ugly, it was very sad moment. Summer is also trying to befriend August so now we have two kind students. (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

@Paritoshka: I haven't heard of the book of Draper, but I've added it. Yes, I like both of the parents. There just amazing.
About pag. 35: no apologises needed ;) We tend to fuss about litltle things, but then you have kids like August, who have a lot of other, more important worries and yet he is so brave.

@Aakash: I hope that (view spoiler)[ he changes the mind of Julian. He's a bit of a bully. But I was just chocked when I've read the part where they had their costumes on and August overheard Jack talking. My heart broke. (hide spoiler)]

I'm now at chapter 'Major Tom'. I like the way that the book is divided in parts, so you get different insights. Now it's Via's turn to talk and I understand where she is coming from. (view spoiler)[ her world was centered around August, if she liked it or not, that's the way it was and she didn't know better. I found it very touching what her grandma said to her being the favorite. It was like a little push that she needed. Via has a point that August needs to grow up and he think he knows that too, somewhere, f.e. going to school. (hide spoiler)]

[Aakash]

Saar The Book owl wrote: "@Paritoshka: I haven't heard of the book of Draper, but I've added it. Yes, I like both of the parents. There just amazing.
About pag. 35: no apologises needed ;) We tend to fuss about litltle thin..."
Just completed part 1.
(view spoiler)[ Really I was shocked after hearing from Jack. I thought he was the good guy but he turned out to be more unkind than Jullian. I really hate those people who show double personalities. Jack was one of them. He thought suicide is better than living with ugly face. In our Hindu religion we consider suicide similar as murder. How can little kids talk about suicide that easily and this all crushed August's little confidence which he gained. Now I also have doubt about Summer. Is she a really friend or is acting. (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

@Aakash: that shows how mean kids can be. They are not like adults and sometimes do not think before speaking. About the suicide thing: in real life this is happening too. So, this part makes it actual for real life that kids can make other kids commit suicide due to their comments. (view spoiler)[I never thought that Jack would say such a thing, but maybe he wanted to be the tough guy with Julian? I'm almost at the part of Jack and I hope he'll do some explenation. I don't know about Summer yet. She seems true to me, but I'm starting now her part. About the part of Via: I feel her pain. She's been left out from her 2 BFF's without any reason and she struggles with her own teenager problems, but can't find the right moment, because August interferes. I think that she's building her emotions up, but she's still really helpfull to August, despite that she has a tough time too. (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

Finished Part 3: Summer.
(view spoiler)[August has found a real friend in Summer. I was scared that he would mess things up by assuming that mr. Tushman had talked to her, but I was glad that he didn't. Summer is the kind of kid that sees behind the face. She sees the true, kind and fun August. It's like she takes the whole package and is not scared by his looks. (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

I've started Part 4: Jack, but before I read on, there's a little thought coming in my head. Remember when (if you are at that point)(view spoiler)[Jack was talking to August that he needed to speak, to stand up for himself? Could it be that he knew August would hear what he was saying to Julian, so he would stand up for himself against Julian? (hide spoiler)]

[Robin P]

Aakash wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "Chapter 'Choose kind': I wish there were more teachers like Mr. Browne. I've got the feeling that he'll make school a bit easier for August.
That 'Darth Sidious' joke of ..."

Well, it turns out that Jack is a devil in disguise too... I felt so bad for August that time...I mean one of the things that students at primary and middle schools should be taught is to behave properly with people who have such disabilities...to see them like one of us and to empathise with them. I guess social studies and science and maths are not enough to make everyone civilised...or for that matter even humane. These things should be taught not only at school but also at home. I was so mad at Jack for upsetting August like that...or even ditching him like that. It's worse. Fake sympathy.

[Robin P]

Page 102 . (view spoiler)[ Well, here we get to see the other side of the story. It usually happens in such families where one of the children has issues and requires special attention, the other one feels neglected and less loved. It's a really hard job for the parents to make sure that their kids are feeling loved and cared for. And I totally empathise with Via. I mean high school is a hell in itself, and on top of that the teenage period (pressure to look cool, sexy, to become famous, and make friends and all thst extravaganza...)I really don't blame her for feeling the way she does. But sometimes, these emotions of resentment and discontentment just pent up and dont lead to a happy ending. So I hope whatever it is, she is able to sort it out soon.

Also, I understand how it feels to be left out of groups...you know when your closest friends make plans without telling you.....You just feel so.... bothered and marooned...but the worst part is that you can't do anything about. :/) (hide spoiler)]

[Robin P]

Saar The Book owl wrote: "@Paritoshka: I haven't heard of the book of Draper, but I've added it. Yes, I like both of the parents. There just amazing.
About pag. 35: no apologises needed ;) We tend to fuss about litltle thin..."

I agree.

[Aakash]

Does anyone know what Isabel meant when she said something like, “Hope apple doesn't fall far from tree. ” I didn't get it.

[Aakash]

Yay! Completed the book. It was really brilliant book and I enjoyed it very much. I never thought I would like any book which isn't in fantasy genre but I did.

(view spoiler)[I liked when Jack punched Jullian. It was nice sight. I can understand Via's feeling. It happens in every family where there are sibling at certain time. The incident in the woods was more beneficial than harmful. It really happens in school when someone from our class quarell with other boy from other class, even if we don't know the boy from our class we will fight beside him.😁 I liked the speech of Mr. Tushman. The phrase ‘Being kinder than necessary’ was heart touching. The precept at the end were some funny and some brilliant. (hide spoiler)]

[Robin P]

Aakash wrote: "Does anyone know what Isabel meant when she said something like, “Hope apple doesn't fall far from tree. ” I didn't get it."

Yeah. Well, Julian is a snotty, little ass and he takes pleasure in deriding August... Also, August sent a birthday invitation to many of his friends. Everyone replied except for Julian's mother. She didn't even bother to inform Isabel that her son (Julian) wouldn't attend the part because of xyz reason. So, Isabel remarked " Apple doesnt fall far from the tree" that is like mother like son. It's an expression she used to highlight their disdain and snob.

[Aakash]

Oh! Thanks.

[Saar The Book owl]

Normally finishing late this evening. Still 20 pages to go or it will be tomorrow. Have to finish my late shift at work now.

[Saar The Book owl]

I'm glad I've read this book and I have no need to see the movie, because I want to hold on to the story in the book.
August is such a brave, little dude, who grows from a home schooled, shy boy to a little hero who has gotten to learn to stand his ground.
I don't know why, but I was a bit proud of him when he went from the 'deformed boy' to the 'boy who happened to be deformed'. August learns that he is more than his dissability, that he has the right to live a life just like the other kids too, even it's more of a struggle for him.
I liked the way the author connected the quotes on the different parts with the chapters. The different points of view from each character was also a bonus. It gives a great insight how the others characters deal with it.
A heartwarming story about friendship, family, growing and trust.

[Aakash]

Totally agree. I watched the movie in the morning, it is not very different from the book so not seeing movie won't change anything.

[Robin P]

Hey you guys! You finished it! I am sorry i was absent for this long...it's just that the past 2 days were very hectic for me...
Page 147
Well, I am glad that August has Summer at least. I really like her character. Sweet, understanding, amd way mature than kids of her age. Only if everyone could have those qualities.

And I read about the Plague.....it's awful. So so awful. Sometimes, when i read about such stuff, it horrifies me to even think that Humans can be so insensitive.... and i dont blame people for getting taken aback on seeing August....anyone would be....but this Plague is too much... I

I really like how this book has been told from so many different perspectives. Even with multiple narrators, the author has successfully managed to balance and divide the content fairly. He has made sure that it didnt come at the cost of character development. I am a bit overwhelmed......reading this makes me sad...But I really like how August puts up with everything.

[Saar The Book owl]

The Plague reminds me of a little game we used to play as kids, but not so bad as this. Kids just can be cruel. I think that they don't keep in their mind the consequences of bullying and the impact that it has.
I agree on your vision of multiple perspectives. it was not hard to follow at all.