WONDER, by R.J. Palacio -- Book Review by Riley R., 6th Grader

I just finished reading Wonder, by R.J. Palacio. It is about a boy named August (Auggie) that was born with a facial deformation. His eyes are way low and his lips are all messed up because of a cleft palate. He has to wear custom hearing aids because his ears are deformed too. To him, it’s not even worth smiling, because no one can even tell if he is or not. Auggie has never been to school until now—he’s always been home schooled.  He’s about to start the 5^th grade at Beecher Prep, and he’s nervous— VERY NERVOUS!

August Pullman is just an ordinary boy on the inside, but he’s not sure if he can convince everybody else to see that.  On the first day of school, Auggie thinks he has friends, but it turns out they’re only his friends because the principal asked them to be. (Come to find out, Jack actually is trying to be Auggie’s Friend!) Throughout the first couple weeks of school, Auggie struggles with a lot and has so many questions.  Who is his friend and who’s not? Is his sister embarrassed of him, or not? Is his dog Daisy sick, or not?

When August goes on a nature refuge trip with his school, a bunch of seventh graders are messing with him. No one likes August or Jack, but when the seventh graders start teasing them, another fifth grader  named Amos and his friends defend them. I would tell you what happens next, but then you wouldn't have a reason to read the book for yourself!  I will tell you though, that Auggie does survive fifth grade, and is even happy at the end...and that's hard for any kid, much less him!

This book, shows compassion, courage, kindness, encouragement, sadness, and depression, but most of all… it shows heart. The characters come to life, and you can see the story like it’s happening right before your eyes. I read the book in two days and I was so, so, so sad when it was over with, but Wonder, by R.J. Palacio, is definitely a MUST READ!!!!

Doing What We Do!

Joseph

Hi my name is Joseph and I am 12 years old. I like to play football for the Pettus Eagles, and I am #67.  I predict that we will beat Agua Dulce in this week’s game. I like to go hunting with my dad every weekend and I like pizza.  I also  like  to  hang out with my friends  John, Michael, and  Colton Rodriguez.

Colton

I am 11 years old and I am in 6^th grade.  My favorite things to do are to play football, video games, and lots of outside things. I like to hang out with my friends Rudy, John, and Michael. My favorite author is Gary Paulsen. My favorite color is blue and I LOVE

pizza. When I grow up I want to be a caterpillar bulldozer engineer. My hobbies are RC cars and working on tractors. If I could meet anyone, I would want to meet George Strait. I am 5’1 and like to play football when I get home from school.  

Ethan

My Name is Ethan. I’m 11 years old and I go to Pettus Junior High. I don’t really have a favorite food because I like almost everything. My favorite place to shop is Gamestop. I have some friends like Timmy Green— he’s funny. I was SUPER funny at my other school and I was voted class clown. The pet I want is a German shepherd because I love them a lot. For a vacation, I would like to go to Washington. My favorite movies are 21 Jump Street and Ted. My favorite colors are black and blue. The relative I love the most is my mom because she so funny and smart.  I like to hang out with my friends and family. I collect any money I see because in the future one dollar will be worth a lot. The thing I like to do in my free time is hang out with my brother he because he is funny and so awesome, but sometimes he can also be mean.  Ha ha.

Rudy

Hi my name is Rudy. I like listening to music, fishing and hunting with my dad and his friends. We always catch big fish or kill a big deer. I am playing the trumpet in band and it is very fun because Mr. Flores is cool.    

Michael

Hi, my name is Michael and I’m 11 years old.  My favorite movie is Despicable Me . I like to listen to country music. I have two dogs named Astor and Jeter.  My favorite food is spaghetti and meat sauce. I like to spend time outside where I can ride my 4-wheeler and go hunting.  I have been to Las Vegas, Austin, and Round Rock. The weirdest thing I have ever  eaten is the school lunches.