Author: R.J. Palacio
I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?
My Review
I'm not going to go on and on about this book, because I think most of you have probably read several reviews of it by this point. But I do want to share my thoughts.
In short - it was fantastic. Read it.
To say a bit more - I'm a teacher and I hate bullying with a white hot passion. Bullying makes me angry more than anything else. Why? No one has the right to make someone else's life horrible and difficult and unhappy. No one has the right to target another person for no real reason. No one. I just can't fathom someone thinking it's ok to do! So this book hit home a lot. To watch Auggie go through what he did hurt my heart. Yes my heart was healed in the end, but it hurt to watch him have to cope with the cruel behavior of others. I'd love to be naive enough to think stuff like this doesn't happen. I so wish that was true.
I loved the way the story was told. To hear from multiple characters was amazing. It created this completely full and well rounded story. You came to understand what was happening with many characters, and you could understand more why they did what they did. It also helped you gain a stronger understanding about how bullying affects all people involved not just the person being bullied. It would not have been the story it was without constructing the book this way.
Really - if you haven't read this book you should. Yes it was hard for me to watch it all unfold, but the hope and optimism at the end was so much stronger and uplifting.
Final Thought: Read it
Best stick-with-you image: Halloween day at school
Best for readers who: Want a good story
Best for ages: 9++++++++
For the Guys? Without a doubt!
Oh yes, I adored this book (though the bullying hurt my heart too). Can't believe it didn't even get a mention today in the ALA Youth Media awards.
ReplyDeleteI just found out I can read it in audio version. So it's on my library wishlist and hope to get to it soon.
ReplyDeleteI just got an email from the library saying I finally can pick this up. I'll be reading it in the next day or two. Thanks for urging me on.
ReplyDeleteI have wanted to read this one every since the first reviews came out, I hope I can make time to read it this year. I think its exactly the meaningful MG kind of book that I gravitate too.
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