Part Eight: August

"'You really are a wonder, Auggie. You are a wonder.'" (page 310)

There's so much to say about this particular part, but part eight brings about the climax of the novel as well as the comforting and tear-jerking conclusion. August is excited to be going on a field trip with his friends from school and relieved that Julian will not be attending (maybe for some obvious reasons.)  Long story short, Auggie gets in some trouble with some seventh graders in the woods and ends up losing his hearing aids and also getting beat up. However, with the help of some friends (friends of Julian, might I add) August is okay and they make it back to the movie.

When August returns home, he is welcomed by a new puppy that his family names Bear.

In my opinion, this symbolizes a new beginning...

Even though starting a new school could count as a new beginning, I believe that last part of this novel truly is August's new beginning: with friends that truly care for him and knowing that he has a strong support system behind him. 

At August's graduation ceremony, many kids were awarded for outstanding academics and achievements, but only August was awarded a medal for his courage, kindness, friendship, and character. As August accepted this award he said he felt like he was floating and he saw everyone in the audience standing on their feet, cheering and clapping for August. He finally received his standing ovation. August felt like he was in the last scene of Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope, getting a standing ovation for defeating the Death Star. This truly was August's "New Hope." With his friends, family, and people in his school community, there is a new hope for August to fully enjoy his life without even caring about his face. 

This novel helps its readers get into the minds of people that "you can't imagine what it would be like to be that person, whether it's someone in a wheelchair or somebody who can't talk" (to quote August). August gained new friendships just by being him. In my opinion, that is the central theme in this novel:

to be yourself.

I know there are many books and movies out there who preach to its audience about "being yourself," but this book truly helps its readers understand and grasp that if August can stay true to himself, even with his conditions, then it is imperative to never lose sight of who you are as a person. 

"To me, though, I'm just me. An ordinary kid."

"But hey, if they want to give me a medal for just being me, that's okay. I'll take it. I didn't destroy a Death Star or anything like that, but I did just get through the fifth grade. And that's not easy, even if you're me." (page 306) 

Part Seven: Miranda

"Then one day I blurted out that I had a little brother who was deformed. I have absolutely no idea why I said this: it just seemed like an interesting thing to say. And, of course, the reaction I got from the little girls in the bungalow was dramatic. Really? So sorry! That must be so tough!" (page 237)

From the beginning of the novel when I learned about Miranda and Ella and how close the girls were with Via, I knew there would be some separation between them when high school came around. I know that many teenagers making the transition from middle school to high school change their original behaviors and attitudes in order to "fit in" with the cool crowd. Sometimes, people just end of making a fool of themselves. I know I have had the experience of separation from old friends when I went into high school, although it wasn't as dramatic and quick as what happened between Miranda, Ella, and Via.  My friendships faded slowly and over the period of a few years. Like those girls, I had two best friends that I did everything with. Since I went to a small private middle school, we were as close as can be. Then we graduated and went to high school where we were just little freshman in a whole new (and much bigger) world. People change, whether for the better or worse, and friendships fall apart.

I'm glad I get to see the story told through Miranda's eyes, the ex-best friend. I was surprised to hear that she tries to stay in contact with August and I respect her motive to keep August in her life. Even though her world is changing as well as her hair and clothes, she wants to keep an old part of her life with her. That's one thing she doesn't want to change. I think it would be interesting to get into the minds of my used-to-be best friends. I would love to see what they miss about our friendship. Even though Miranda had seemed to move on from her old ways, she still had some self esteem issues and felt at odds with Via, even though Via didn't really do anything. Miranda mentions that she and Ella "badmouthing" Via, just to cover up the fact that Via didn't do anything to hurt their friendship.

  I believe that is why most people say mean things about one another, to cover up their insecurities and the truth of what really happened in certain situations. 

Part Six: August

"But I couldn't go to sleep, even after I knew [Mom] had fallen asleep. I could hear Daddy sleeping, too, and I imagined I could hear Via sleeping down the hallway in her room. And I wondered if Daisy was sleeping in heaven right then. And if she was sleeping, was she dreaming about me? And I wondered how it would feel to be in heaven someday and not have my face matter anymore. Just like it never, ever matter to Daisy." (page 227)

In part six, we enter into the mind of August again, and this time, a lot of changes are taking place. Auggie gets hearing aids that make him look like a "Lobot" and his dog Daisy gets very sick and passes away. To me, this particular part shows August's emotional side, that even though he may not physically be just an ordinary fifth grader, he has thoughts and feelings that a normal kid his age would have. The night that Daisy was put down, no one was able to tuck August in bed and tell him goodnight, and that felt strange to August. As Via would put it, August wasn't the sun that night and that the universe didn't revolve around him. August has some deep thoughts in this part, especially in the chapter titled "Heaven" which is where the quote from above came from.

As I mentioned before, many changes and alterations in August's life as well as his family's life takes place in this part. Via performs as the lead in her school play even though she was just an understudy. Via was able to pick up Miranda's part and play it beautifully. August, as well as Mom and Dad, were clearing proud of his sister. Even though this part is told through August's eyes, a lot of attention was placed on Via and for a moment, Via was the "sun." Finally, this particular part truly shows how August is just a normal kid despite his abnormalities. He grieves, he smiles, he thinks about heaven, and most importantly he cheers on his family.

"I think there should be a rule that everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their lives." (page 231)

Do I sense some foreshadowing....?

Part Five: Justin

"maybe it is a lottery, but the universe makes it all even out in the end. the universe takes care of all its birds." (page 204)

This first thing I notice about Justin's part is obviously his lack of captialization and quotation marks. This type of writing style makes me think of e.e cummings and the way he wrote his poetry. I am not entirely sure why Palacio decided to write this part that way but I have a few hunches.

First, maybe it is the lack of education Justin has and  Palacio wants to show it through his part by getting rid of capitalization. Secondly, maybe Palacio wanted to show his unique "artistic" side considering Justin is a fiddle player in a zydeco band. Honestly, I have no idea. Justin's short part plays a huge one. Since Justin's family was never really around for him, it shows how supportive and close August and Via's family is. He feels as though he is part of the family even though he has only known them for a short time.

Justin's point of view in the story ends with him questioning why August was the one born with these abnormalities. Justin compares life to a lottery and that the universe picks out the "winners." He repudiates his statement by saying that the universe cares for all its fragile creatures, even Auggie. In the eyes of the universe, or in the eyes of God, we are all special and cared for, no matter what.

So, I was curious at to what a zydeco band really was, so I looked up video and found this:

Part Four: Jack

"The thing is, there are always going to be kids like Julian who are jerks. But if a little kid like Jamie, who's usually a nice enough kid, can be that mean, then a kid like August doesn't stand a chance in middle school." (page 141)

I questioned Jack's motives in the beginning of this novel. I knew something was up with him and when he said those mean things about August to Julian and his little minions friends,  my thoughts were confirmed. Unlike Via and Summer, Jack ended up giving into the "cool crowd" and saying what they wanted Jack to say. But, that part isn't in this particular part of the book so I am moving on...

I believe the reason why Jack wants to be in the cool crowd is because he isn't rich like his other schoolmates are. Not having the wealth of being a high social class hurts Jack's chances of being "cool." In the chapter titled "Private School," Jack doesn't feel like the others because his family doesn't have money to have a house so they have to rent an apartment and cut out the air conditioning in order to save money. Maybe this is why Jack somewhat connects to August, but Jack already feels like the odd one out and he has found someone to share the connection with. 

The turning point in Jack's part of the story was when he punched Julian in the mouth. I was waiting for someone to do that the entire time. In my head, I was cheering him on. To feel so passionately about the characters in a book really says something about the way the authors writes and develops his or her characters. I feel as though Jack changed and evolved throughout the novel from phony to a true friend.

Finally, the part where Jack and August were texting each other and Jack apologized for saying mean things about August was great. It's truly something kids their age would do and that's what makes this novel very realistic.

\

This quote relates to Jack in a way that he doesn't need to see that August is a good friend. Despite his abnormalities, August is a great friend to Jack.

Part Three: Summer

"'You're a saint, Summer,' Ximena Chin said to me the other day. 'I couldn't do what you're doing.'" (page 119)

As I was reading the part about Summer in August's chapter, I couldn't help but silently applaud Summer for doing what she did. Just like Ximena, I honestly couldn't do what Summer did. However, kids at the school seem quick to judge August as a charity case and that Summer sat with him because she wanted to look good and get praise from other kids at her school. Just as Summer said, she felt sorry for August and then learned more about him and truly became friends with him. I believe that takes guts.

On my first day of high school, I too was in August's position. None of my friends were in my same lunch period so I didn't know anyone. Not to be dramatic, it was probably one of the hardest moments of my life. I would've loved to have someone like Summer sit with me when I was alone. I cut my lunch short, threw away half of my lunch, and went to the library. That was the one and only time I sat by myself at lunch for the rest of high school. Later on in my high school career, I remember seeing other kids sit by themselves at lunch. I remember their faces clear as day, and I will always feel the guilt of not sitting by them.

Summer is a strong character much like Via because she never loses sight of who she is, even when the "cool kids" are beckoning her to join their "group"  if she quits hanging out with August. I knew that Summer would become close with August from the beginning, mainly because she is loyal to those she cares about and never changes who she is just to be considered popular. That is true friendship. 

Summer's story reminds me of a particular story about a girl with special needs who has a support system of football players to protect her from bullies and keep her company during lunch time, just like what Summer did. 

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/highschool-prep-rally/arizona-student-special-needs-avoids-bullies-protection-football-112516229.html

Part Two: Via

"I don't remember the day they brought August home from the hospital. I don't remember what I said or did or felt when I saw him for the first time..." (page 84)

It is obvious in the beginning that Via  feels almost "second" in her family. She understands it and she accepts the fact that "August is the Sun" and she and her family are the plants orbiting around August. From the beginning I know that Via truly wants the undivided attention from her parents.

Via mentions that there's no point in complaining, which is a short quote I believe everyone should live by. 

Via accepts the fact that the plants will always orbit the sun and understands the way of the universe in her family. The chapter titled "A Tour of the Galaxy" Via says "but this year there seems to be a shift in the cosmos. The galaxy is changing. Planets are falling out of alignment." To me, this is foreshadowing of what is to come and change in Via's life.

Much like August's life, Via's life takes her through many different circumstances throughout this novel. Via is entering into high school and the girl who were her friends before, become almost strangers. This happens to most high school freshmen, including me. As best friends change and evolve into what they think they are, Via stayed true to herself and I respect R.J Pallacio Via for that. That is what is most important, to be yourself in a world that is forever changing. She never lost the sense of who she was as a person, even when Mom and Dad were too busy with August.

The idea of being true to yourself is something all children,teenagers, and even adults should carry with them wherever life may lead them. 

Part One: August

"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 that makes me ordinary. I guess."

"But I know ordinary kids don't make other ordinary kids run away screaming in playgrounds." (page 3)

These first few sentences of Wonder by R.J Pallacio instantly create a sense of connection with August, a child who has cosmetic facial impurities. It creates a sense of empathy from the reader, so after I read the first paragraph I was hooked. 

I wanted to know more. I wanted to know that truly went on in August's mind.

Every day I deal with self esteem issues with my own face and body. I have always been curious of those children who were born with clefts and wanted to truly know how they felt, what they thought. Honestly, the first few lines of the story reveal that August is just an average ten-year-old who has the same thoughts and feelings as other ten-year-old children his age. When I was ten, I had self-esteem issues and hated going to school. There was nothing physically wrong with me, I just wasn't happy with how I looked, mainly because I was going through that "pre-teen" stage where I wanted my hair and skin to be perfect, and they weren't. Although August's case is much worse than what mine was, I still felt that low self-esteem connection with him.

Another way I can relate to August was that his family is super supportive all throughout his life. Palacio introduces August's family in the story really early, mainly because they play a huge part in August's life. August's mom pushed him to go to school to get used to being around children his age, which leads to the rest of the story. His parents truly knew what was best for him and wanted what was best for him. Much like August's family, my family has always pushed me to follow my dreams, no matter how extreme or scary it may be. They push me to be a better person, even when I feel I am at my best.

Part One is basically the thoughts and feelings that are racing through August's mind.

What better way to begin a novel than to establish an instant connection to a character whom we can relate to and empathize with.