Wonder: The Julian Chapter by R.J. Palacio โ 84 pages
Book Blurb:
Over 1 million people have read Wonder and have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face. Now readers will have a chance to hear from the book’s most controversial characterโJulian. From the very first day Auggie and Julian met in the pages of the #1 New York Times bestseller Wonder, it was clear they were never going to be friends, with Julian treating Auggie like he had the plague. And while Wonder told Auggie’s story through six different viewpoints, Julian’s perspective was never shared. Readers could only guess what he was thinking. Until now. The Julian Chapter will finally reveal the bully’s side of the story. Why is Julian so unkind to Auggie? And does he have a chance for redemption?
My Review: 4 stars
This is the perfect companion book to Wonder. My first wish is that all 5th graders would read Wonder as part of standardized curriculum and then of course read this wonderful follow up from inside the world of Julian, the bully. What a great idea the author had to keep Julianโs emotions, home life and feelings silent in Wonder and then give the reader a chance to get to know him betterโฆ after weโve made a judgment call on him. Sort of reminds us of Julian making a judgment call about Auggie before he knew him and his fabulous self! I think this book offered a wide-angle lens at how much todayโs kidsโ poor behavior stems from parenting choices, placing blame and giving kids the easy way out.
Quotes I liked:
I do not like to dwell on the past. Life is ahead of us. If we spend too much time looking backward, we canโt see where we are going!โ
–ย ย ย ย ย ย โThereโs no rule book that tells you how to act in every given situation in life, you know? So what I always say is that itโs always better to err on the side of kindness. Thatโs the secret. If you donโt know what to do, just be kind. You canโt go wrong.โ
LOVE THIS BOOK
Glad you liked it! I obviously did too!