R. K. Palacio has done with words what so many others cannot. I loved the characters he created in Wonder, and the courage they possess. Auggie, who was previously home schooled, finds himself in a fifth grade classroom and unknown to him, is assigned a friend, Jack. Summer, however, is a character I truly admire and chooses to befriend Auggie. She looks past Auggie's "deformities" and sees the real Auggie. Summer's character reminds me of a quote about butterflies and their beauty, "Butterflies can't see their wings. They can't see how truly beautiful they are, but everyone else can. People are like that as well." It does not matter what is on the outside, but inside that shows who a person is. Just because Auggie looks different, does not give boys, like Julian, the right to bully someone. It takes a lot of bravery for Auggie to walk into school each day, and also for Summer and Jack to be seen with him. Not many of his classmates can see past the exterior, but Auggie's first school year results in success thanks to Summer and Jack. It's proof that it's not the quantity of friends that you have, but the quality.
Lesson Learned:
Have courage to be your true self, and find those who will support you no matter what, "Be careful who you call your friends. I'd rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies."
Would you agree that Auggie would not have "made it" through his first year in middle school had it not been for a number of people who made his life somewhat easier. Who, in your estimation, were some of those people? Other than Auggie who was your favorite character in this story?
ReplyDeleteLike your quote about butterflies. I think it is appropriate to the story and to Auggie.
The author is a female. FYI!
Dr. Ries