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I went a bit kicking and screaming into the reading of this one because I thought --- yet another soppy sad story of a kid with a serious problem. Not to mention realistic school stories too often feel forced to this veteran classroom teacher. But as I read further into it I was completely taken in. This is a truly lovely story and beautifully, beautifully told. The movement between different characters' points of view is nicely done. The children and adults all seem real as can be, not a one se
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Yeah, it's really really good...
(I'm coming back years, later, because I've thought a lot about Wonder, as a book and a phenomenon. I enjoyed the book, and I'm wowed by the effect it's had in the world, but something about it has nagged at me. I think this book is essentially a fantasy. I really wish the end was more realistic-- that the power of the "Choose kind" message would be more powerful if it was paired with an understanding of how one has to move forward even when people make less kind ...more
(I'm coming back years, later, because I've thought a lot about Wonder, as a book and a phenomenon. I enjoyed the book, and I'm wowed by the effect it's had in the world, but something about it has nagged at me. I think this book is essentially a fantasy. I really wish the end was more realistic-- that the power of the "Choose kind" message would be more powerful if it was paired with an understanding of how one has to move forward even when people make less kind ...more
I started to love this book at the end of the first chapter when Auggie says, "I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse."
And then I got to the first POV change, where we start to see things from Auggie's sister Via's perspective. Wow! I didn't see another narrator coming and it kind of blew me away that this book wasn't going to be just Auggie's story.
Though our hero is in a very dramatic situation, nothing felt overblown or exaggerated. In fact, the qui ...more
And then I got to the first POV change, where we start to see things from Auggie's sister Via's perspective. Wow! I didn't see another narrator coming and it kind of blew me away that this book wasn't going to be just Auggie's story.
Though our hero is in a very dramatic situation, nothing felt overblown or exaggerated. In fact, the qui ...more
Jan 16, 2012
Laura5
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
2013-awards-watch-list,
2012,
schoolstories,
read-aloud,
point-of-view,
differences,
kindness,
empathy
I did not want to let go of a single character when I finished this book - I just wanted to hold them close forever.
"...sometimes you don't have to mean to hurt someone to hurt someone..." pg 141
"...if it really all was random, the universe would abandon us completely and the universe doesn't. it takes care of its most fragile creations in ways we can't see... the universe makes it all even out in the end. the universe takes care of all its birds." pg 208
"Huh. Here I was looking for symbolism an ...more
"...sometimes you don't have to mean to hurt someone to hurt someone..." pg 141
"...if it really all was random, the universe would abandon us completely and the universe doesn't. it takes care of its most fragile creations in ways we can't see... the universe makes it all even out in the end. the universe takes care of all its birds." pg 208
"Huh. Here I was looking for symbolism an ...more
Always try to be a little kinder than necessary.
...everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their lives.
...no, no, it's not all random, if it really was all random, the universe would abandon us completely. and the universe doesn't. it takes care of its most fragile creations in ways we can't see. ...maybe it is a lottery, but the universe makes it all even out in the end. the universe takes care of all its birds. ...more
...everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their lives.
...no, no, it's not all random, if it really was all random, the universe would abandon us completely. and the universe doesn't. it takes care of its most fragile creations in ways we can't see. ...maybe it is a lottery, but the universe makes it all even out in the end. the universe takes care of all its birds. ...more
Words cannot express how much I love Auggie, the main character, and his family!! This is such a powerful book!!
2nd read -- in the wee hours of April 1, I finished Wonder for the 2nd time, and this time I read far more carefully in preparation for our GREat Book Discussion (parent/student) this Tuesday. If possible, it was even better the 2nd time, because I read more thoughtfully, with post-its at the ready. Characters were richer and more fleshed out for me this time. LOVE this book!
3rd read - ...more
2nd read -- in the wee hours of April 1, I finished Wonder for the 2nd time, and this time I read far more carefully in preparation for our GREat Book Discussion (parent/student) this Tuesday. If possible, it was even better the 2nd time, because I read more thoughtfully, with post-its at the ready. Characters were richer and more fleshed out for me this time. LOVE this book!
3rd read - ...more
This is one of those books that, like Out of My Mind, allows kids a glimpse into the inner life of someone who seems very different from themselves - a window into a different experience based on physical appearances. The perspective shifts between several characters, which felt very effective and allowed the story to be about both August's own experiences and the way other kids and teens interact with him. The writing is straightforward but the style still feels lovely, somehow.
There was one pl ...more
There was one pl ...more
What an amazing book! This one is life changing. Themes of bullying turn to messages of kindness. I predict that this one will be the Newbery Award winner for this year.
The characters were engaging and I enjoyed the multiple points of view. I appreciate the author's emphasis on kindness and empathy. The first 7/8th of the book kept me riveted. As much as I love a happy ending, I could not buy this neat and tidy happy ending. It just did not ring true for me.
I had to keep reminding myself they were in the 5th grade. We don't really have middle schools that start in 5th grade around here and the kids seemed to act a lot more like actual middle schoolers than 5th ...more
I had to keep reminding myself they were in the 5th grade. We don't really have middle schools that start in 5th grade around here and the kids seemed to act a lot more like actual middle schoolers than 5th ...more
This book is about a 5th grade boy named August who has a horribly deformed face. He goes
to middle school after being raised in a protected and loving home environment. The author presents various viewpoints--Auggie himself, his sister and various friends. The story is very realistic,
yet positive. I loved the quote "Shall we always try to be a little kinder than is necessary?"
"Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed." I want to have a copy
of this book in every one ...more
to middle school after being raised in a protected and loving home environment. The author presents various viewpoints--Auggie himself, his sister and various friends. The story is very realistic,
yet positive. I loved the quote "Shall we always try to be a little kinder than is necessary?"
"Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed." I want to have a copy
of this book in every one ...more
i loved Auggie. and his sister. and his parents. this would make a perfect read aloud for upper elementary or middle school. it dealt with a disibility in such a straightforward, but uplifing manner.
So great. I laughed, I cried.
I sang along with the Magnetic Fields song near the end. What?
Read it right now. You won't be sorry.:) ...more
I sang along with the Magnetic Fields song near the end. What?
Read it right now. You won't be sorry.:) ...more
Grades 4-8. RL 790. I actually read this book aloud to 3rd and 4th graders. There is a great book trailer on the author's website. "When given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kindness." Auggie, a boy born with facial abnormalities is about to start 5th grade at school-- the first time he has been able to go because of all the surgeries he's had over the years. He wants people to know how normal he is-- but nobody sees him that way. Everywhere he goes people stare, or worse.
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Funny and poignant and realistic and fantastic.
Probably a good bet for the Newbery Award.
Apr 24, 2012
Kate
marked it as to-read
