1. The document summarizes a book club discussion about the children's novel Wonder by R.J. Palacio. 2. The book tells the story of Auggie, a boy with facial abnormalities, and his experience attending a mainstream school for the first time. 3. The discussion covered themes in the book like family relationships, friendship, bullying, betrayal, and overcoming challenges. Participants discussed how characters change and develop throughout the story.

1. Grade 5 Mother / Daughter
Book Club
Wednesday, May 15, 2013

2. Why we chose this book
• My favourite children’s literature book of 2012
• Spread via ‘word of mouth’; Twitter / Blogs /
Facebook, rather than a big publicity campaign
• Themes
• Message
• Disability / differences

3. US vs UK cover

4. R. J. Palaccio
• Lives in NYC
• Lives with husband, two
sons and two dogs
• Art director / graphic
designer
• Chance encounter at an
ice-cream parlour gave her
the idea for Wonder

5. Discussion
• Auggie
• Themes
• Book: structure / layout / precepts etc

6. Auggie
• How would you describe Auggie in the first few
chapters of the book? How does he change as the
novel progresses?
• Star Wars is one of Auggie’s passions. Why do
you think this is?

7. Characters
• Which characters do you think showed bravery?
• Who was your favourite character, and why?

8. Themes
1. Family relationships
2. Friendship
3. Bullying
4. Betrayal
5. Overcoming challenges

9. 1. Family relationships
• Discuss Auggie’s relationship with each of his
family members.
• What do you think of Via as a character? Do you
empathise with her?
• Many reviewers have criticised Daisy’s death.
Was it necessary for Auggie’s dog to die? Why did
R.J. Palaccio add this event to the story?

10. 2. Friendship
• What are the characteristics of a good friend? Do
Auggie’s friends have these qualities? Does
Auggie?
• In the chapter composed of emails and
messages, Mrs Albans (Julian’s mom) suggests
that asking ‘ordinary children’ to befriend Auggie
places a burden on them. Do you agree with this
statement?

11. 3. Bullying
• How does Auggie know the first time he meets
Julian that he will be a bully?
• What prompts the grade seven students to attack
and bully Auggie?
• What is Auggie’s response to the bullying
throughout the book?

12. 4. Betrayal
• Auggie and Jack are friends, so why does Jack
betray Auggie by talking about him behind his
back?
• Via also feels betrayed. Why? What is her
response?
• How do Auggie and Via resolve their individual
conflicts?

13. 5. Overcoming challenges
• Auggie’s attendance at Beecher Prep creates
challenges for teachers / students / parents. What
are these challenges, and how are they
overcome?
• Does Auggie hurt or help the situation?
• What lessons are learned because of Auggie’s
attendance at the school?
• In Mr. Tushman’s speech, he states that one ‘must
always be kinder than necessary’. How does
being kind help someone overcome challenges?

14. Thinking about the book…
• Wonder is told from many different perspectives.
Did you like this? Was it effective?
• Many people thought this book should be an
award winner. Do you agree?

15. Mr. Browne’s precepts
• Your deeds are your monuments.
• Fortune favours the bold.
• It is better to know some of the questions than all
of the answers.
• Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish
much.
• Just follow the day and reach for the sun!

16. Thanks for coming!
• Discussion slides will be posted on Clemnet
today, and look out for a round-up in Friday’s
enews!
• Also, check out the SCS Reads blog:
http://tinyurl.com/scsreads