Wonder Part two

Part 2-4 is full of so much! I love that the author gives us a section from the perspective of different people in Auggie's life. It helps us understand the book so much better and fills in any gaps we may have.

I was able to relate to Via throughout her chapter. I am also the oldest of three and I have gotten used to not getting things I need or want because there may be something else that is more important.  I agree that Via is very wise. She is understanding and mature.  I can also relate to the feeling she has about needing to protect her brother.  I feel bad for her at the same time.  One example is when her mom didn't go check on her after the first day of school.  She is still growing up and needs her parents too.  It is true that while reading we are more connected to Auggie's because we see things through his perspective but as with anyone with a disability or some other health issue, we do not think of their family.  Similar to the film we watched in class, we did not think of Alan's parents or his sister when we see his disability. It is important to take into account all the people involved because it affects everyone.  Although Via is a good kid, it inevitably affects her.

The next parts which are from Summer's and Jack's perspectives provide us with a lot of insight.  The first section left me discouraged with Jack.  I was unsure what to think because I wanted to believe their friendship was real.  It is great to see Jack's perspective and that he really is a true friend.  When he gets into the fight for defending Auggie, I felt proud of him.  Although it was not the right thing to do to hit him, it was right to defend his friendship; which is what he should have done on Halloween.  I feel bad for Jack for all the problems he is getting just for being friends with Auggie.

I like Summer.  She is a geninuely nice girl even if she felt bad for Auggie, It's more than anyone else  has done.  She reaches out to him and befriends him and even invited him to eat at her house.  Like Jack, Summer faces hardships from her peers because she is friends with Auggie.  Some girls even say he is her boyfriend.  When she went to a party she was offered popularity but chose to be Auggie's friend.  She was very mature in her decision.  For any other kid, they would want to be popular and with the in crowd.  She did not even think twice about it. It showed true character.

Wonder Part 2

WOW! I have fallen in love with this book, and I can't believe that it is my first time reading it. Funny thing is that the third graders in the school where I work at arereading Wonder as well, and I love to stop by and see their opinions about the book. There were two things I wanted to focus on. I wanted to talk about how Via spoke about her grandmother. Did any of you see the impact that her grandmother had on her life as a whole? It is amazing to see the connection that they had and how much they bonded. I think my favorite part was when her grandmother told her that she was her favorite. I can relate to this because my grandmother is literally the person I adore the most, and she keeps a picture of me right above her bed and prays for me every night (so she says). Mind you she has over ten grandchildren and about seven great grandchildren but the only one she keeps a picture of is me. I always say that it is because I am the daughter of her son who was the only one out of seven to have a child. I guess that makes me special right? Anyways, I noticed that her grandmothers death impacted her very much and I related to that because I lost one of my favorite uncles when I was ten years old. That impacted me so much because we were always together and he taught me many things like how to draw, sing, dance, and how to just be myself. When you lose someone who is near and dear to your heart it impacts you in a significant way. Another thing I want to note is how Via's "friends" suddenly started acting different with her when they got to high school. My question to all of you is: 1- How do you think the death of her grandmother shaped the person she is? 2- Do you think that her "friends" really ever connected with her as she thought? Do you think it was out of pity?

Wonder part 2

Seeing Augies life through Via's eyes took me into a whole other level of seeing how everyone's lives is changed "different" from everyone else's. And I mean that because I've Failed to realize how other memebers of the family feel when someone needs more attention than the other. I have a full house, I'm the oldest and I have three siblings the middle child, my sister is always complaining about how my mom caters to my younger siblings while on the other hand I know that they need her more than I do.  So I find myself connecting with Vias character. The way she defends and protects her brother I admire that, for example when it was Augies first day of school and she went up to his room and kind of almost forced him to tell her how it was, when I sense that one of my siblings had a bad day or are going through a rough time I want to know ALL the details. I enjoyed seeing this sibling loving part of the book, you can tell she really cares for him, and puts him first. I also feel bad when Via expects her mom to come into her room and say goodnight and instead her father comes because her mom was busy with Augie. I say this because there are times when you are in NEED to talk to mom and you don't want to talk to anyone else, and it's almost like she has to settle for this because she has to understand that Augie needs her mom a bit more than she does. I also like seeing in this part how both of them know each other really well, and they know personal things about each other and they actually have a relationship, unlike in the movie "without apology" which I know are two very different situations the siblings did not have a connection at all in fact they singled "Allen" off from like being part of the family, which I found devastating because he is human and deserved to spend more time with his family, and even though he didn't have speech he could feel in his heart that he was loved by them.

Wonder (Post #2)

I wasn't expecting Via to open up so much in part 2. She gave the perspective of a outside person who sees Auggie for the first time. I can see how spending a summer away could do that.  I felt a bit bag for her because it seems like maybe due to Auggie's condition she sometimes is overlooked. Author requires quiet a bit attention from his mom and dad.  Mom is very worried about Auggie.  Dad makes excuses for her with Via (pg.97)
I couldn't believe Sunmer sat with Auggie because she felt sorry for him.  I really wanted to believe it was just because she was a nice person. However I love that she genuinely wants to be his friend. Summer is very honest when she discusses Auggie's appearance.
I wasn't too suprised to hear about Mr. Tushman setting up the children to befriend Auggie. Mr.  Tushman reached out Auggie went to check the school location. I am glad Jack apologize to Auggie. Agreeing with Ariel it is fascinating how the author shows you the character of each person,  not just tell you.
My questions for today:
How did you feel when you read about?  Did you feel suprised at how she feels?

POST #2 {W O N D E R}

Via, Summer, and Jack’s Perspectives

Part Two – Via opens a new window about Auggie’s world. As readers we would be more connected with the struggles that her little brother faces each day due to his facial deformity. It seems that Via has developed a thick skin, a fiercely protective nature and a strong sense of empathy for Auggie. She tries to teach her friends and anyone else, not to make fun of, not to be afraid of, and most of all, not to pity her brother.

She is the perfect big sister to Auggie. For every time she is proud of her ability to be compassionate, and has took on the protector, supporter, and counselor role. There were times that she was jealous of the attention her brother received from her parents. However, she is wise beyond her years, and understand the situation of her brother. In addition, she received the love and the attention of her grandmother who died by the time Via began high school.  

Part Three –  Summer is portrayed in the story as the only student who is genuinely Auggie’s friend from day one. She is being put on the spot by her others friends to decide if she will continue her friendship with Augie or she will ally to them, but she stands on her decision on keeping her friendship with him. If others don’t like Summer’s action, let them be, Kindness is a choice, her choice. Life isn’t about pleasing everyone.

Part Four – Wow, what a big surprise with Jack! On Part One, we were conducted to a friendly to a non-friendly Jack. However, on Part Four, we could understand much better about Jack’s perspectives, decisions and his determination on becoming Auggie’s friend and apologize for talking behind his back. We get a glance on how the opinions of others children temporary influenced Jack’s decisions on Auggie. However, he ought to follow his own inner voice which I think is beautiful and he should receive credit for.

Finally, how fascinating this story is because we learn about the main characters through their decisions and actions rather than the author just telling us what they are like.

QUESTION | Forgiveness may be the last thing on our mind when a “friend” talk about behind our back. However, children truly forgive another child under any circumstances (i.e. Auggie forgives Jack for talking behind his back). Why aren’t adults so deft in these situations?

Hope you are having a WONDER-ful weekend!

Wonder part 1

Throughout Wonder,

What do you think of the line ‘Don’t judge a boy by his face’ which appears on the back cover of the book? 

The line, “Don’t judge a boy by his face,” tells readers that there is something wrong with August’s face. Since these are his words, he is telling the world that there is more to him than what you see on the outside. It makes me wan’t to read “Wonder” even more. I wonder if he ever gets cured? From this quote, it foreshadows August’s appearance

         At the end of the chapter August speak directly to the readers “I wont describe what I look like whatever you’re thinking, its probably worse” August was born with severe medical problems that caused deformity to his facial features and skull that prevented him from going to a conventional school- until now. He is about to start 5^th grade at Beecher prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is August’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?

August worried about others opinions of his physical appearance. “The only reason I’m not ordinary is that no one else sees me that way ”After ten years of being himself, August has learned to protect not to notice how others people react to him.

August describes the way that many people react to seeing his face for the first time: by immediately looking away. Have you ever been in a situation where you have responded like this to seeing someone different?

         I have been in situations where people look at my students differently by avoid having conversations with them. For example couple days ago we went to a community walk, people were looking at them as “phenomenon” and started gossiping about their appearance and what were they doing there.

Wonder part 1

While  reading part one of wonder I was thinking to myself, about how unique is Augusts story was beginning to sound to me and how its unraveling. At first when the parents brought up the topic of school, I was thinking why would they want to send him to school now after so many years that he has not been in a school environment. When August began school and the part about him eating alone and even avoiding to eat lunch reminded me of when I was new at a school and felt strange. So imagine how he felt when everyone would just stare and no one say with him. I LOVED the part when summer approached August and sat with him at lunch, it showed what a compassionate heart she had and a kind girl. Another big point in the first part was "the bleeding scream" where August overheard who thought was his friend talk about him the way he did. When I was reading through those pages I can imagine how humiliated, embarrassed and backstabbed he felt because out of all people he considered Jack Will his friend. When I finished reading this part I was actually glad that Augusts parents had the idea to take him to a school, so that he was able to have that school feeling and be around children his age. Although they weren't the kindest bunch of children they were definitely ones that were good to be around August.

Did you guys like the idea of August being taken to a school setting?

Wonder- Part 1

Part one provided us with a lot of information. We get a glimpse of Auggie's life and his first few months in school. While reading, I was apprehensive about Auggie starting school. Middle school is hard for any "normal" kid, so for Auggie, it must be much harder. I feel proud of Auggie for being so optimistic. He goes to school despite his initial interaction with Julian and the other students. School and other social settings are important in order to foster certain life skills.

To respond to Tiffany's question, I thought Jack was sincerely Auggie's friend. The conversation the boys have gives rise to other issues like bullying and suicide. That was a really strong statement to make about just killing himself if he looked like Auggie. It is things like this that can be pivotal to a child or anyone contemplating suicide or with low self esteem. I agree with you, Tiffany, I am so glad Auggie has the family he has.

Furthermore, I hope this does not discourage Auggie from going back to school. It is important that he continues to go, like his mom said, there are things that she can't teach him. There is a lot Auggie can learn from his different teachers, students, and there are things the phone can learn from him.

"Wonder" Part 1.

My question for my group is:  What was your initial reaction when you discovered how Auggie was treated in homeroom on Halloween?  How did you feel about what the children said about him behind his back?

My response:  I immediately began to cry. I couldn't believe Jack wasn't being genuine with Auggie. For him to say he was only doing it because Mr. Tushman asked him too. I think Julian is so mean. He suggested Jack to just ditch Auggie,  and continues to poke fun at the way Auggie looks. To hear (read) 5th graders saying "If I looked anything like that,  seriously I think I would kill myself" (pg. 76). This really brought tears to my eyes. He cannot control how he looks,  and he just was starting to like school. Auggie just wants to be a normal kid, and experience normal things kids his age do. I am so glad that Auggie has a loving and supportive family.

POST #1 {W O N D E R}

On part 1, we are introduced to Auggie, the ten-year-old main character of the story, as he struggles with his physical condition during the new phase on his life. Auggie has a peculiar and uncommon face because he has suffered genetic disorders that have caused him serious facial anomalies. However, he is smart, a sensitive child, and he has the luck of being born in a cozy family who does anything for him. Auggie’s clinical and physical conditions have prevented him from going to a “normal” school, and for that reason, he has been educated at home by his mother. But now that he is ten years old, his parents think that it is time for him to get incorporated into the education system and the world outside (going to school for the first time, making new friends, and others). A difficult step for him and all the family.

"I know I'm not an ordinary ten-year-old kid. I mean, sure, I do ordinary things. I eat ice cream. I ride my bike. I play ball. I have an XBox. Stuff like that makes me ordinary. I guess. And I feel ordinary. Inside. But I know ordinary kids don't make other ordinary kids run away screaming in playgrounds. I know ordinary kids don't get stared at wherever they go.  

If I found a magic lamp and I could have one wish, I would wish that I had a normal face that no one ever noticed at all.  I would wish that I could walk down the street without people seeing me and then doing that look-away thing.  Here's what I think: the only reason I'm not ordinary is that no one else sees me that way" (Palacio 10).


QUESTION | If you have a "normal" physical appearance, are you already normal? What is normal?

Reading Itinerary {W O N D E R}

Hello Friends!

As per our last conversation, below you will find our weekly readings on Wonder for everyone in the group to be on the same page. 

Ariel --

Week of September 13 -18 | Part 1

Questions and Responses by Sept. 19

Week of September 20 – 25 | Part 2, 3, and 4

Questions and Responses by Sept. 26

Week of September 27 – October 2 | Part 5, 6 and 7

Questions and Responses by Oct. 3

Week of October 4 – 9 | Part 8

Questions and Responses by Oct. 10

*** Wonder INDIVIDUAL reflection paper is due on October 14 ***

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to our discussion blog for EDCE 32310!  The link below will help you to download the free PDF format of this book.

Wonder by RJ Palacio


Have a wonderful weekend!


Ariel --

P.S. Don't forget to accept my email blog invitation. It will enable you to post, comment, and engaged in our group discussion.