The Book: Wonder

I've mentioned before that I do a book club on my campus for K-2 and one for 3rd-5th Graders. I absolutely love it! Who knew so many kiddos would volunteer to stay after school and discuss books! :)

We get a list of books from the district-most are Bluebonnet Nominees the rest are just what librarians and teachers think are classics in the making. One of the books on our list for the 3rd-5th graders this year is called:

"Mask" is one of my all-time favorite movies (in fact I haven't watched that in a while, I may have to watch that again) and August's character actually reminds me a bit of Rocky. He uses humor to deal with a severe facial deformity. What I like about the book is you get August's perspective for almost the first half of the book and then you get other perspectives-like his sister, a boy who wants to befriend him but is afraid of the fallout from other students.

I think if you teach upper primary kiddos maybe 3rd, 4th and 5th graders, this would be a one that could really spark some good conversations--about ethics as well as multiple perspectives. What would you do in that situation? We'd all like to think we'd react the correct way. Some of the parents in the book made me angry too-I like when a book can make you feel a variety of different things as you read it. You feel sorry for him a bit and then you feel sorry for his sister who has been left without as much attention, etc.

Anyway, a good read--I give it two thumbs up! :)