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Return to the World of Wonder with Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories
Auggie (short for August) is just about the most unforgettable children’s book character from 2012. In Wonder, by R.J. Palacio, Auggie, born with severe craniofacial malformations, and homeschooled, starts fifth grade at a regular school. Inside he is a friendly, ordinary kid; his outside appearance is anything but ordinary. The reactions of Auggie to 5th grade, and the reactions of other kids to him, are told from alternating perspectives, and the result is a gloriously heartfelt story of compassion, friendship and the acceptance of difference that really speaks to young readers (my own 12 year old, who read it way back in fourth grade, says it’s still his favorite book).
In Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories, R.J. Palacio is revisiting Auggie’s world through three new perspectives. In the introduction, Palacio explains that she was very strict with herself about whose points of view she included in Wonder; if the character’s story didn’t directly propel Auggie’s journey forward, it wasn’t included. But the three stories told here expand Auggie’s world, even though he himself is no longer the central character. Don’t go into this one expecting the story of what happens to Auggie next; Palacio wants to leave that to the readers’ imagination. Do go into it expecting engaging stories of very real fifth-grade kids coping with their own problems, stories in which the presence of Auggie is a catalyst for their own growth as decent people.
The first story is that of Julian, Auggie’s chief tormenter in fifth grade. His actions and attitude were truly contemptible and lacking in empathy. Fans of Wonder loathe him. But in “The Julian Chapter” we see Julian’s point of view, and realize that while he has indeed done bad things, that part of his life doesn’t have to define him forever. It is still possible for him to grow up into a better person, and we are given hope that he will.
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The second story is called “Pluto,” and told from the point of view of Auggie’s oldest friend, Christopher, who moved out of town before the events of Wonder. Many kids struggle with their loyalty to old friends while making new ones, but being friends with Auggie comes with the challenge of having new friends reacting especially awkwardly and unkindly. Christopher has to decide whether he will stay loyal to Auggie, or walk away from his old friend.
In the final story of the three, “Shingaling,” Auggie is only a peripheral character. Charlotte, one of Auggie’s three welcome buddies, is struggling with the difficult social circumstances that so often come with being a fifth grade girl. She’s navigating a complex world of shifting friendships and shifting perceptions of her peers, and in the process is re-defining her own self-image, and becoming a better person. Summer, one of the most liked characters from Wonder, plays a big role in this story too, which will please old fans!
Palacio might not be focusing on Auggie in the stories in Auggie and Me, but the importance of practicing kindness is just as heartwarmingly central, and though the three main characters here might not be quite as memorable as Auggie, they are all three (even Julian!) well worth spending time with.
Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories is available in stores on August 18.