I don't remember the last time I picked up a book and read it cover to cover. Well, I do, but comic books don't count. Yesterday, I began reading Wonder, by R.J. Palacios, as I was sitting in the orthodontist office waiting for my daughter. I knew I was going to be there a while and I didn't want read about Kanye and Kim, or how the Chargers lost to the Broncos so brought this book that I heard about. Before I knew it, I was startled by a hand on my shoulder and a voice telling me it was time to go. The time flew by, I was lost in a story I knew I had to finish.
In Wonder, you meet August Pullman, a boy who was born with a rare facial deformity. The book tells his story of going to school for the first time as a fifth grader at Beechar Prep. As you share in his experiences of middle school, every chapter pulls on your heart strings. As we all know, middle school can be a very turbulent and emotional ride. I can't imagine how difficult it would be for a boy like August. Once you embark on this journey, be prepared to set aside several hours.
After finishing the book, I immediately wanted to talk to someone about it. Unfortunately, my wife and two daughters are awaiting their turn to read it. So here I am writing about it since I was told not to spoil anything for them. I can't wait to share the parts that I enjoyed and how I felt when I read them with my family. I also think that Wonder would be a book that I would definitely bring into the classroom.
The ideas and themes in the book are perfect for kids to think and talk about. I can imagine kids discussing their feelings and making connections to the text. There are many places where I could pick out certain areas of the book and ask, "Why did the auther choose to write this, or do that, and how did it effect the story?". Palacios switches the point of view of the story very effectively and seamlessly. Kids can read or write about how the different points of view helped them understand the narrative. Opportunities to talk and write about text are abundant. I am sure teachers will find many other ways to address Common Core standards with this mentor text.
I am going to have to say that I would add this title to must reads for the classroom with likes of Where the Red Fern Grows and The Watsons go to Birmingham. This book is very engaging and will definitely make kids ask for more.
After finishing the book, I immediately wanted to talk to someone about it. Unfortunately, my wife and two daughters are awaiting their turn to read it. So here I am writing about it since I was told not to spoil anything for them. I can't wait to share the parts that I enjoyed and how I felt when I read them with my family. I also think that Wonder would be a book that I would definitely bring into the classroom.
The ideas and themes in the book are perfect for kids to think and talk about. I can imagine kids discussing their feelings and making connections to the text. There are many places where I could pick out certain areas of the book and ask, "Why did the auther choose to write this, or do that, and how did it effect the story?". Palacios switches the point of view of the story very effectively and seamlessly. Kids can read or write about how the different points of view helped them understand the narrative. Opportunities to talk and write about text are abundant. I am sure teachers will find many other ways to address Common Core standards with this mentor text.
I am going to have to say that I would add this title to must reads for the classroom with likes of Where the Red Fern Grows and The Watsons go to Birmingham. This book is very engaging and will definitely make kids ask for more.