This blog is about R.J. Palacio’s “Wonder”. My first impressions of this book are that it is about a boy who is physically handicapped who, after being homeschooled, now actively has to participate in society by going to a middle school and deal with life’s problems.
The class discussion was about identity and growing up. Wonder discusses that people can try to change their identities to the ones they prefer, but they still care about the prejudices of others. August however, doesn’t have much power to change what people think of him because of his physical handicap. He knows that the first thing they see is a boy with a “scary-looking” face and don’t feel like getting to know him because of that. August also notices that people struggle to get past the visual aspects of identity and because of this, he struggles to show how smart, kind and funny he is. “Hey, the truth is, if a Wookiee started going to the school all of a sudden, I’d be curious, I’d probably stare a bit! And if I was walking with Jack or Summer, I’d probably whisper to them: Hey, there’s the Wookiee. And if the Wookiee caught me saying that, he’d know I wasn’t trying to be mean.” (Palacio, 2012, p. 62) Here, August explains that he understands why people stare at him and that it’s not because they are unkind; it’s because they’re curious. He also says that he would do the same if he saw someone that looked differently. This implies that he tries to see the best in people by not thinking that people stare at him and talk because they are unkind. As for growing up, at the beginning of the story August is very dependent of his parents because of his medical condition and because he is still young. He is also very afraid of growing up and attending school. Even though he is dependent of his parents, he is very aware of when he “acts like a baby” while also desiring an amount of independence. As the story continues, he shows that he becomes more independent and less afraid of growing up and attending school. “”Daddy, can you please not call me Auggie Doggie anymore?” I whispered in Dad’s ear. Dad smiled and nodded and gave me a thumbs-up” (Palacio, 2012, p. 229). This passage implies that August does not want to be called “Auggie Doggie” anymore because it’s a childhood name, the reason why he doesn’t want this anymore is because he wants to be treated more like an adult and less like a child.
Another pattern that occurs in this book is guidance. When August goes to school for the first time, he comes into contact with teachers and non-familial adults. He observes them and concludes that the adults have a big responsibility to guide their children and students and that they also have a big influence in their lives. Because of the good guidance provided to him by his parents, he feels like he can express himself and experiment. “Those who receive proper encouragement and reinforcement through personal exploration will emerge from this stage with a strong sense of self and a feeling of independence and control.” (Erikson, 1970). The book also discusses bad guidance through Julian’s parents. In the mails that Mr. Tushman receives, it is shown that the parents think it’s too much to ask to expect students to be in class with August and that August shouldn’t even be allowed to attend the school. This shows their intolerance, which is also reflected onto Julian himself, who bullies August to make him feel unwelcome. “After you’ve seen someone else going through that, it feels kind of crazy to complain over not getting the toy you had asked for, or your mom missing a school play. I knew this even when I was six years old.” (Palacio, 2012, p. 82). In this passage, Via, August’s sister, talks about not being comfortable feeling ungrateful after seeing her little brother after his surgery. She says that it is okay that August gets the most attention and guidance from their parents because she will never experience something as awful as what her brother has experienced.
A character I identify with is Justin, Via’s boyfriend. He is protective over the young people in his life because when he was young, he didn’t have as much guidance and protection from his parents. “he seems too small to be walking around by himself, somehow. then i think how i was that young when i was taking the subway by myself. way too young. i’m going to be an overprotective dad someday, i know it. my kids are going to know i care.” (Palacio, 2012, p. 197).
I think this book is suitable for young adult readers, because of the lessons that are taught in this book about identity and prejudice. By reading this, they could become aware of this. “it is more useful to look closely at how these books fit the teenagers’ way of making sense out of the world.” (Appleyard, 1991). Teenagers struggle with making sense out of the world, a book who guides these young adults teaches them valuable lessons. It is also suitable for young adults because of August’s transition from being treated like a child to being treated like an adult.
My last impression of this book is that its story discusses how to grow up as a child as well as how to guide children into growing up as parents or as teachers. The moral of the story is: don’t judge a book by its cover.
Bibliography:
Appleyard, J. A. (1994). Becoming a Reader. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
Erikson, E.H. (1970). Reflections on the dissent of contemporary youth., International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 51, 11-22
Palacio, R. J. (2012). Wonder (7th ed.). New York, United States: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.
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