The Best Book I've Ever Read

"Everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in his or her life, because we all overcometh the world." - Auggie

Through all of the trials and tribulations in their lives, the Pullmans overcome the confused stares, the awkward introductions, and the harsh treatments of all those who have the honor of meeting August. Despite his lackluster appearance, August sees the world like any "ordinary" kid- he sees the popular crowd, the D&D crowd, and the smart-kid crowd. He also sees how he doesn't fit in any of the groups at Breecher Prep, along with Summer and Jack- two genuine friends that teach Auggie not all of his peers are afraid of something (or someone) different. 

I have never felt so convicted by a novel before reading Wonder. It really made me think about all the times I could have said something positive to someone- genuinely, as a friend. I'm glad I can honestly say I've never talked badly about someone with any sort of deformity in the past, but I'm deeply ashamed that I've never been a true friend to anyone with a deformity either. Why not? Was I afraid of being associated with someone perceived as "different"? Was I afraid I would catch a sort of "plague" like some of August's peers? Why did I avoid the student whom everyone talked about behind his back? Was I afraid of getting made fun of behind my own back? Was I so afraid of being associated with someone like Auggie that I hurt someone in the process? As I read this book, I began to ask myself all of these questions... Though I'd like to say I never intentionally hurt someone like August, that simply isn't the case. I must have, at some point, made the intentional decision to not befriend the student with the scar across the face or the student with only one arm. I shied away from being their friend, because I was uncomfortable. How terrible is that? I am like Charlotte. I would be nice if an adult was around, or if I was expected to treat someone kindly. Other than that, though, I would simply say, "Hi" in the hallway. I wouldn't join them at an empty lunch table on the first day of school. I wouldn't stand up for them in front of my peers. I certainly wouldn't punch the most popular student in the face. After finishing this amazing book, I have come to this conclusion: I was a coward in middle school.

I loved the idea of Mr. Browne's precepts. I might even do something similar in my own classroom. These precepts caused me to think about my own rule "about something important". I thought a long time about this, especially after feeling so unbelievably convicted by Wonder. I decided on this:

"We must all seek to obtain the courage of a child."

I have to be honest, my yoga instructor really sparked this idea in my head when she claimed that children are the bravest people in the world. At first, I didn't know what she meant by this. Instead of focusing my energy on Yoga and my inner happiness, I thought about her claim. I thought about the bravery of a child. How can a child be brave? He or she is ultimately helpless. Children can't drive; they can't buy things; they can barely tell the difference between good people and bad people. Then I realized it- Children are courageous because they aren't afraid of being themselves. They don't care what other people think- they just do what they want. They don't see the differences between themselves and others; they just see the similarities. They become excited when someone is wearing the same pink shirt as them or when someone else loves the latest Justin Bieber song. They don't know what "normal" or "ordinary" are. They simply love those who love them. 

I think this is very applicable to August's story and his peers as well as to the story of most any middle school student. They must put their lives into the perspective of a child. They must seek to be themselves, even if that means some persecution. 

This books was truly a pleasure to read. I'll remember it for many years to come, as it as taught me priceless life lessons through the eyes of children. Most importantly  I will seek to remember the conviction this book brought and all of the implications such conviction brings to my future life as an educator.