Wonder

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
 


Wonder is one of those books that you continue to think about long after you close the last page. I remember after I read it last spring wanting to pass it on to every teacher and parent I encountered. It's just one of those books that everyone should read! Especially teachers and parents. Wonder centers around a boy named Auggie that is starting middle school. This is Auggie's first experience with school at all. And it's middle school. Think back for just a moment to your own middle school or jr. high experience. Some of those memories might not be very pleasant.

Auggie was born with severe facial deformities, endured numerous surgeries,and as a result, spent his school career thus far being homeschooled by his mother. The story is told from six different perspectives including Auggie himself and Auggies's sister as one of the narrators. The message that resonates throughout the book is that kindness matters. It never feels preachy or pushy. It just feels like Auggie's story. Do me and yourself a favor and run out to your local independent bookstore and buy a copy today to read.  And then, pass it on.

"Everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their life because we all overcometh the world."-- Auggie

The Gryphons Mock Newbery Book Club will be reading this selection in January.

The One and Only Ivan

Gryphons Mock Newbery September Book Club
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

I decided to select this book for our Mock Newbery Book Club after hearing tons of buzz about it in the book community (i.e. teachers, librarians, publicists, etc). I have to admit I'm not a huge animal lover. I mean, we have a dog and I like her and all, but just in general not my thing. So after picking up a copy of The One and Only Ivan from The Booksellers at Laurelwood I put the copy on my nightstand where it sat ignored for a week or so. I finally decided to plunge in and read a couple of chapters each night for the first couple of days and then... It drew me in! Ivan, Stella, Bob.. you can't help beginning to care for these characters and find out what is going to happen to them. Are there sad parts? If you have read it you know there are, but you know what? Sometimes that's a good thing. I think in order to learn empathy for others it is important to read some things that may make us sad. Empathy boys and girls is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. In other words it's not all about me!  Ivan and his friends live at the exit 8 big top mall. When a new baby elephant Ruby joins the group Ivan knows they need to find a way out, a way to a better life. For Ruby's sake...how can he do that you may think? He's just an ape at the exit 8 mall, but he is an Ape that knows there must be something better waiting for them in this world and it's up to him to find out what it is....
I'd love to hear your thoughts on some of the questions below.

When have you experienced empathy for others? What examples of empathy can you think of in your community- our school, your neighborhood or family? What was it about Ivan's story
that was the most compelling to you?

Did you know that Ivan is based on a true story?
Check out the following link about the real Ivan:
http://theoneandonlyivan.com/ivan/