Wonder (In Progress)

Set 1: P2 - P14

In the first chapter of Wonder, we meet August, a ten-year-old boy who knows he’s not like other kids because of how he looks. Even though he does regular things like playing video games and riding his bike, people often stare at him or react unkindly when they see his face. August has had many surgeries since he was born, which is why he hasn’t gone to a regular school before. His parents and sister, Via, love him very much, but they treat him differently because they know how hard it is for him. Now, as he’s about to start fifth grade at a new school, August is really nervous and scared about how people will treat him.

The chapter also gives a glimpse into August’s family life. His mom used to be an illustrator but now spends most of her time taking care of him. August shares how his best friend, Christopher, moved away, and how he feels lonely since his other friends are busy with school. We also learn about the funny yet chaotic way August was born, with his mom’s story about a nurse who kept farting during the delivery, making the whole situation memorable for the family. Despite the challenges, August’s family always tries to support him, but he still worries about fitting in at his new school.

Set 2: P15-P30

Summary
In this part of Wonder, August, or “Auggie,” goes to visit his new school, Beecher Prep, before the school year starts. He’s a little giggly because his dad made jokes about the principal’s name, Mr. Tushman, but when he meets him, Mr. Tushman turns out to be a kind, normal-looking man. Auggie’s nervousness grows when he finds out that he will also be meeting some students from his new homeroom. During the tour, led by Mr. Tushman, Auggie meets Mrs. Garcia, a nice lady who works in the office. Despite feeling anxious, Auggie tries to be polite, but he notices how people react to his appearance, even if they don’t say anything.

During the tour of the school with the three kids—Jack Will, Julian, and Charlotte—Auggie starts to feel more uncomfortable, especially with Julian’s rude questions and remarks about his face. Jack and Charlotte try to be nicer, but Julian’s behavior makes things difficult. Even though it’s a tough experience for Auggie, he manages to stand up for himself in a small way by correcting Julian’s grammar. Jack, who seems to understand Auggie a bit better, reassures him, hinting that they might become friends despite the rough start.

Set 3: P31-P44

Summary

In this part of Wonder, after August’s school tour, he and his mom return to Mr. Tushman’s office. August feels a mix of emotions, trying to process his experience. When asked about the tour, he says it went well, but his mom senses his unease. August quickly tells his mom they need to leave to pick up his sister, Via, even though it’s just an excuse to get out of there. On the way home, August runs to his room, feeling both sad and a little happy at the same time. He tells his mom about the kids he met, mentioning that Julian wasn’t very nice, especially when he asked about August’s face. However, he liked Jack, who stood up for him. Despite everything, August decides he still wants to go to school.

The story then moves to August’s first day at Beecher Prep. Nervous but determined, he heads to his homeroom, where he meets his teacher, Ms. Petosa. She asks the students to introduce themselves and share something about their lives. When it’s August’s turn, he hesitantly shares a little about his family, but Julian makes a subtle, hurtful comment by comparing August’s braid to a Star Wars character known for a disfigured face. August realizes that Julian’s remark was a jab at his appearance, making him feel even more self-conscious. Despite the rough start, August tries to focus on getting through his first day, sitting quietly in his next class and noticing that Jack Will is the only one who sits near him.

Set 4: P45-P60

In this part of Wonder, August starts his first day at Beecher Prep, feeling anxious about fitting in. During his English class, the teacher, Mr. Browne, introduces the concept of “precepts,” or important rules to live by. The first precept he shares is, “When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind,” which resonates with August and makes him feel hopeful about school. However, during lunch, August struggles with feeling self-conscious as other students stare at him and whisper. Despite this, a girl named Summer chooses to sit with him, and they quickly become friends, creating a special bond over their “summer” names.

After school, August’s mom asks him how his day went on a scale of one to ten, and he surprises her by saying it was a “five,” meaning it wasn’t as bad as expected. Although August feels a mix of emotions, he decides to cut off his Padawan braid, symbolizing a desire to change. That night, when his dad tucks him in, August reflects on his day and admits that it was better than he thought it would be. However, he still struggles with his feelings about his appearance, breaking down in tears as his mom comforts him, showing the deep emotional pain he carries despite the brave face he puts on at school.

Set 5: P61-75

Summary
In September, August struggles to adjust to his new life at Beecher Prep. The early mornings, homework, and quizzes are all new challenges for him, and he misses the free time he had when he was homeschooled. At school, he faces the awkwardness of being stared at by curious classmates who are not used to his appearance. It takes about a month for the students to get used to seeing him, though he still feels out of place.

August befriends Jack Will, who becomes his closest companion in school. They share several classes and often joke together, helping August feel more at ease despite the challenges. However, August notices that some students avoid touching him, which he compares to the “Cheese Touch” from Diary of a Wimpy Kid. This behavior makes him feel like an outsider. Despite this, he looks forward to Halloween, a day when he can wear a mask and feel like everyone else. However, a last-minute decision leads him to wear an old costume instead of the new one his mom prepared, which makes the day less exciting than he anticipated.

Set 6: P75-P90

Summary

In “The Bleeding Scream,” August experiences a rare moment of feeling confident and excited at school, thanks to his Halloween costume that hides his face. He feels more comfortable and even enjoys the anonymity, high-fiving another student who is wearing the same costume. However, his excitement quickly turns to heartbreak when he overhears his friend Jack Will and others talking negatively about him while they think he is out of earshot. Jack, who August thought was a close friend, reveals that he was asked by the school to befriend August and expresses how difficult it is to be around him due to his appearance. Deeply hurt, August retreats to the bathroom, removes his mask, and cries. He later tells the school nurse that he feels sick, leading his mom to pick him up early. This event shakes August’s confidence and makes him question returning to school, marking a low point in his journey of navigating life with his facial difference.

Set 7: P91-P106

Summary
In these chapters, Via reflects on her experiences as she transitions from middle school to high school. She talks about how middle school was a place where she could just be herself, separate from her identity as August’s sister. However, in high school, things feel different. Her best friends, Miranda and Ella, have changed over the summer, creating a distance between them. Via feels left out and struggles with the changes in her friendships, especially as Miranda starts acting differently. This makes her feel isolated, and she even lies to avoid spending time with Miranda.

At home, Via also notices how much attention her brother August still requires, and she feels conflicted. She understands why her parents focus so much on August, given his medical needs, but she also wishes for more of their attention. The chapters delve into Via’s complex feelings about being the sister of a child with special needs and her worries about how genetics might affect her own future children. Despite all this, she loves her family deeply and tries to navigate these challenges while coping with the typical struggles of being a teenager.