by R.J. Palacio
©2012. New York. Alfred A. Knopf. Realistic Fiction.
Lexile Measure: 790L
Middle School. Diverse Protagonist. Written within last 4 years.
August Pullman is just like any other 5th grader, except that he was born looking different than other children. After being home-schooled through elementary school, Auggie attends a mainstream middle school for the first time. School is no walk in the park for Auggie, but his kindness does not go unnoticed, and he teaches his classmates many valuable lessons.
Lexile Measure: 790L
Middle School. Diverse Protagonist. Written within last 4 years.
August Pullman is just like any other 5th grader, except that he was born looking different than other children. After being home-schooled through elementary school, Auggie attends a mainstream middle school for the first time. School is no walk in the park for Auggie, but his kindness does not go unnoticed, and he teaches his classmates many valuable lessons.
Whoa. This story is filled with so many positive messages about kindness and how we should be treating EVERYONE, no matter what they look like, after all, its about what's on the inside. I would give this book a 31/32. This book would be most appropriate for 6-8 grade, but is a great read for any high-schooler or adult as well.
The message of this book is golden and much needed in schools and households, and that is a message of kindness. This book also addresses bullying and mistreatment by peers. I only gave the book a rating of 3/4 for language, because in the book, the word 'retarded' is used when Auggie says that he is not retarded to his mom in a heated moment in the book. However, this could lead to a great lesson about this word and why it isn't okay to use it in the context that Auggie used it. After all, he is only a kid who makes mistakes, too. The book has a great storyline and is told from different perspectives, not just Auggie's. The story is definitely engaging and keeps you on your toes. Auggie's character develops a lot as he cannot even imagine going to middle school in the beginning and by the end...well you should just read it. These are the reasons that I gave the book the score that I did.
Here are some literary elements that you may wish to explore in this book:
Point of View- This book was written in multiple points of view, from close family to friends, to people who you would not have expected.
Characterization: How was Auggie characterized throughout the story?
For a mini lesson on characterization: As reading this book, have students pick out parts of that book that help to characterize Auggie through descriptions, actions, and interactions with others. This could also lead into conversations about who we are and what we do being more important than what we look like.
Symbolism:This book has tons of symbolism to be found, such as the masks that Auggie wears to hid his appearance, as his desire to hide away from the cruel world. Another example would be when he cuts off his padawan braid, representing his legging go of his childhood and sort of "growing up".
Social Justice Theme: Disabilities.
Here are some literary elements that you may wish to explore in this book:
Point of View- This book was written in multiple points of view, from close family to friends, to people who you would not have expected.
Characterization: How was Auggie characterized throughout the story?
For a mini lesson on characterization: As reading this book, have students pick out parts of that book that help to characterize Auggie through descriptions, actions, and interactions with others. This could also lead into conversations about who we are and what we do being more important than what we look like.
Symbolism:This book has tons of symbolism to be found, such as the masks that Auggie wears to hid his appearance, as his desire to hide away from the cruel world. Another example would be when he cuts off his padawan braid, representing his legging go of his childhood and sort of "growing up".
Social Justice Theme: Disabilities.
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