Wonder by R.J Palacio

I have just read my favourite book of 2012 and it's called Wonder by R.J. Palacio.  Wonder is a story of 10-year-old Auggie Pullman and his trials and tribulations of going to school for the first time after being home-schooled K through 4.  Auggie is a regular happy kid in many ways. He loves Star Wars, his dog Daisy and his family.  He is nervous about going to school and wonders if he should just stay home.  Auggie has a syndrome known as mandibulofacial dysostosis which means due to a mutant gene he was born with facial abnormalities.  He has had 27 operations in his short life and likely will have more.  

 

Wonder takes us through Auggie’s Grade 5 year at Beecher Prep School.  Auggie is a lovable character you will not soon forget.  Wonder is told from Auggie’s perspective for the most part, but also through the eyes of his sister, and his friends.  In reading Wonder, I experienced all the emotions a great book allows including crying, laughing out loud, pure joy and great sadness.  I was inspired by Auggie and his family and truly believe in this quote from Auggie’s mom. 

            “But I really believe, and Daddy really believes, that there are more good

people on this earth than bad people, and the good people watch out for

each other and take care of each other.” (p. 279 Palacio c.2012.)

 

I would recommend Wonder to students in Gr. 6 and above. It’s a great book for youth and adults and is beautifully written by first time novelist R.J. Palacio.  Thank you Mr. Rosenau for introducing me to this wonderful book.  I have now purchased a copy for our library and look forward to sharing this great novel with all of you.

Mrs Martineau's Winter Reading Challenge

Shadow by Micheal Morpurgo - Loved it!

Hi Randerson students, parents and staff. I hope you are having a wonderful holiday break and enjoying time with family and friends.  I was thrilled to have some quiet time today to sit on the couch and read <3.  My 12-year-old daughter was reading Insurgent, a book she got for Christmas, my 11-year-old daughter was playing on her new guitar while I read Shadow by Michael Morpurgo. 

I highly recommend this book for students Gr. 4-7.  It's the story of a young boy Aman and his mother who endure great pain, suffering and hardships while forced to flee their home in Afghanistan.  While hiding in a cave in the mountains they befriend a stray dog whom Aman names Shadow.  This story is told mostly in flashbacks from the point of view of Aman. Matt, Aman's best friend and Matt's Grandpa also weigh in on the story from their perspective.  It is a story of courage, perseverance and determination. It's a story of friendship and the power to believe and its a story of the love of a dog and a boy. 

This is now the third book I've read by Michael Morpurgo ~ Kensuke's Kindgom, Butterfly Lion and now Shadow.  I really like his style of writing, his storytelling and his great character development. Michael often has added features at the end of his books that give background on the characters, setting or muse for his stories. With Shadow, I was very interested in reading about the real Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre in Bedfordshire, UK and how in 2010 the UK Government ordered it closed. I also enjoyed learning about army sniffer dogs, and the important role they play in saving lives.    Happy reading!  I'll see you in 2013!