Wonder by R.J. Palacio Teachers’ Resources

Wonder by R.J. Palacio Teachers' Resources

Wonder by R.J. Palacio explores the life of August Pullman, a boy with facial deformities navigating the challenges of attending school for the first time. This resource provides comprehensive teaching materials, including plot summaries, character analyses, and thematic discussions suitable for upper primary and secondary students. Key themes include identity, bullying, friendship, and resilience, making it ideal for educators seeking to engage students in meaningful conversations about kindness and acceptance. The resource also includes worksheets and activities designed to enhance vocabulary and comprehension skills.

Key Points

  • Includes a plot summary and character analysis for August Pullman.
  • Explores key themes such as bullying, friendship, and resilience.
  • Offers worksheets and activities to enhance student engagement.
  • Suitable for upper primary and secondary education settings.
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T E A C H E R S ’ R E S O U R C E S
RECOMMENDED FOR
Upper primary and secondary
11+ years
CONTENTS
1. Introduction 1
2. Plot summary 2
3. About the author 2
4. Author’s inspiration 2
5. Writing style 3
6. Key study topics 5
7. Key quotes 9
8. Further reading 9
9. Worksheets 13
KEY CURRICULUM AREAS
ï‚· English
ï‚· History, society and culture
ï‚· Science
REASONS FOR STUDYING THIS BOOK
ï‚· Story Forms: Rite of Passage/Realistic Fiction
ï‚· How an author constructs voice and character
ï‚· First Person Accounts
ï‚· Building vocabulary
ï‚· Structure
ï‚· Values: kindness, fortitude, resilience, bravery
THEMES
ï‚· Identity and Rite of Passage
ï‚· Physical Deformity and Self-Image
ï‚· Bullying
ï‚· Kindness
ï‚· Friendship
ï‚· Loss and Grief
PREPARED BY
Dr Robyn Sheahan-Bright and Random House
Australia
PUBLICATION DETAILS
ISBN: 9780552565974 (paperback);
9781448119141 (ebook)
These notes may be reproduced free of charge for
use and study within schools but they may not be
reproduced (either in whole or in part) and offered
for commercial sale.
Visit www.randomhouse.com.au/teachers for
information on other Random House Australia
teachers’ resources and great books for the
classroom.
Copyright © Random House Australia 2013
Wonder
R.J. Palacio
INTRODUCTION
‘My name is August, by the way. I won’t describe
what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s
probably worse.’ (p 3)
August Pullman is different, which is a classic theme
in children’s and YA literature. But Auggie has a real
problem because his facial deformities make him
look very different indeed. People have to look very
hard to see beyond Auggie’s face, and to appreciate
the person he is inside.
His story of going to school for the first time, after
being home-schooled for years, coincides with his
elder sister Via going to high school. Both
experience major emotional changes, and their
family dynamics change as well.
Wonder R.J. Palacio
There’s so much more at randomhouse.com.au/teachers
The story is told in first person by Auggie, but also
includes parts told in first person by Via, and their
friends Summer, Jack, Justin, and Miranda.
Auggie’s irrepressible spirit has been nurtured by the
love which has cocooned him all his life. This hasn’t
come without penalties, though, because now he has
to face the world outside that world which has been
constructed by his family, in which neighbourhood
friends, and those who’ve given him medical
treatments, have offered him sanctuary, and they all
know that this new world won’t be quite as kind to
him. Fortunately, love, and a sense of humour help
him through some of the darkest times.
‘I mean, I don’t want to brag or anything, but I am
actually considered something of a medical wonder,
you know.’ (p 130)
PLOT SUMMARY
Auggie is terrified of going to school and facing the
inevitably bad reactions from kids and their parents.
Even his parents can’t agree on whether it will be a
good or bad thing for him. But he does go to
Beecher Prep and almost immediately finds a friend
in Jack and an enemy in Julian. He is also befriended
by Summer, who shares her lunch table with him.
Things seem bearable until he overhears a
conversation which plunges him into despair.
Meanwhile, his sister Via has started high school and
is relishing being anonymous. The trouble is that her
two best friends, Miranda and Ella, seem to be
avoiding her, and she’s not sure what’s going on with
them.
Via finds a boyfriend in Justin and understudies to
Miranda in the school play opposite Justin as the
lead. Auggie makes things up with Jack, and all the
kids who were against him gradually come round.
The school camp proves a turning point, though, and
Auggie finds he has more friends than he knew.
Everything is changing, and neither knows if it’s
going to be for the better.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
RJ Palacio lives in NYC with her husband, two sons,
and two dogs. For many years, she was an art
director and book jacket designer, designing covers
for countless well-known and not so well-known
writers in every genre of fiction and non-fiction. She
always wanted to write, though. She kept waiting for
the perfect time in her life to start writing, but after
more than twenty years of designing book jackets for
other people, she realized that the perfect time
would never really present itself. It's never the
perfect time to start writing a book. So she decided
to just go for it. Wonder is her first novel. See her
website: http://rjpalacio.com/
AUTHOR’S INSPIRATION
On her website there is an insightful FAQ section
which answers a lot of the questions you might have
asked RJ Palacio yourselves.
Some of her inspiration can also be found in the
interviews below:
1. Hodgson, Heather ‘Interview with RJ Palacio’
Daily Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/a
uthorinterviews/9086974/Interview-with-RJ-
Palacio-author-of-Wonder.html
2. ‘RJ Palacio in interview with Chip Kidd,
designer, Random House’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4psz--
ziXB4
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/a
uthorinterviews/9086974/Interview-with-RJ-
Palacio-author-of-Wonder.html
3. The book has also engendered the ‘Choose
Kind’ campaign
http://choosekind.tumblr.com/
Wonder R.J. Palacio
There’s so much more at randomhouse.com.au/teachers
WRITING STYLE
Alternative First Person Accounts
This is August’s story, but it actually consists of six
different characters telling their versions of it in first
person: Part 1 (p 1): August; Part 2 (p 80) Via; Part 3
(p 118) Summer; Part 4 (p 133) Jack; Part 5 (p 186)
Justin; Part 6 (p 205) August; Part 7 (p 235) Miranda:
Part 8 (p 249) August.
Such alternating accounts offer an interesting
perspective on the action, and in this case, make this
a more subtle and complex rendering of the trauma
August has endured as a result of his genetic
deformity. The first person voice always lends an
empathy and an immediacy to the action, since the
reader is given insight into the feelings of those
involved in a series of events. But here we are also
offered the perspectives of others who have suffered
as a result of August’s affliction as well. Everyone
has a story ... and everyone has issues.
Activities
1. Within these parts, there are a number of
sections told in different types of literary
text. For example, The chapter headed
‘Letters, Emails, Facebook, Texts (pp 160-7)
includes Jack’s letters of apology to Mr
Tushman and Julian; Mr Tushman’s reply; a
letter to Mr Tushman by Julian’s mother
(Melissa Perper Albans); Mr Tushman’s reply
to her; John and Amanda Will’s reply to
Melissa Albans; messages between Jack and
Auggie. Discuss the use of such different
forms and how they enhance the framing
first person narrative.
2. Justin’s Part Five is written entirely without
capitals for sentences (pp 186-204). Why do
you think this is?
3. Re-write a section in the novel in Mr
Tushman’s voice.
4. Until the end of the novel, we don’t know
why Miranda has been acting the way she
has. Write a chapter in Ella’s voice and try to
imagine a scenario which has made her turn
away from Via.
5. Verse novels offer a very immediate form of
personal writing. Write a sequence in the
novel as if it is a poem in a verse novel.
(Study some contemporary verse novels in
order to prepare for this exercise.)
Questions
1. Why do we not hear from either of Auggie’s
parents? Listen to RJ Palacio’s interview
with Chip Kidd (listed above) after you have
answered this question.
2. Which other character in Auggie’s class
would you like to have heard from?
Literary Devices and Symbols
This novel employs a range of literary devices and
symbols to cement themes. Devices such as simile,
metaphor and personification are used to describe
things in a more obtuse way than is possible when
using literal language or description. Symbols can
also be used to denote something in a more
suggestive fashion. Some of the various types of
literary language used in this novel are discussed in
the points below.
Activities
1. Part Two is Via’s view of the situation. It opens
with a quote from David Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’
and then a chapter headed ‘A Tour of the
Galaxy’, and continues to employ metaphors of
space and planets to describe the family
situation. She suggests that Auggie is the sun
and that she and her parents are like planets
revolving around him. She ends by saying: ‘The
galaxy is changing. The planets are falling out of
alignment.’ (p 83) How does the use of such
metaphor enrich the reader’s understanding of
this situation? Would it have been less effective
if she had simply described her home life in
completely realistic terms?
2. Mr Browne’s ‘Precepts’ are discussed (pp 45, 48).
On p 65 Auggie writes a piece on being
remembered for the things we do. Invite
students to write a piece based on this, or any
other precept included in the book. On p 288,
Mr Browne writes his last precept at the end of
term, and on pp 311-13 the precepts are listed
and also the postcards that kids send Mr Browne
over the break. Write a postcard to Mr Browne
containing your favourite precept.
3. Part Three opens with a quote from Christian
Aguilera’s song ‘Beautiful’. Part Seven quotes
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FAQs of Wonder by R.J. Palacio Teachers’ Resources

What are the main themes in Wonder by R.J. Palacio?
Wonder addresses several significant themes, including identity, bullying, and the importance of kindness. The story centers around August Pullman, who faces challenges due to his facial deformities. As he navigates school life, themes of friendship and acceptance emerge, highlighting how individuals can overcome adversity through support and understanding. The narrative encourages readers to reflect on their own behaviors and the impact of kindness.
Who is August Pullman and what challenges does he face?
August Pullman, the protagonist of Wonder, is a young boy with facial deformities who has been homeschooled due to his medical condition. As he begins attending Beecher Prep, he faces bullying and social challenges from his peers. The story follows his journey of self-acceptance and the development of friendships, particularly with characters like Jack and Summer. August's experiences illustrate the struggles of fitting in and the importance of empathy and kindness in overcoming prejudice.
How does the narrative structure of Wonder enhance the story?
Wonder employs an alternative first-person narrative, featuring multiple perspectives from characters such as August, his sister Via, and their friends. This structure allows readers to gain insights into the thoughts and feelings of various characters, enriching the overall understanding of the story. By presenting different viewpoints, the narrative highlights the complexities of social interactions and the impact of August's condition on those around him, fostering empathy among readers.
What educational activities are included in the teachers' resources?
The teachers' resources for Wonder include various educational activities designed to engage students with the text. These activities range from character analysis and thematic discussions to vocabulary enhancement exercises. Worksheets encourage students to explore key concepts such as kindness and resilience, while also promoting critical thinking and comprehension skills. These resources are tailored for upper primary and secondary students, making them versatile for classroom use.
What role does bullying play in the story of Wonder?
Bullying is a central theme in Wonder, illustrating the challenges faced by August Pullman as he navigates school life. The story depicts both overt and covert forms of bullying, particularly from characters like Julian. Through August's experiences, the narrative explores the emotional impact of bullying on individuals and the importance of standing up against it. Ultimately, the story advocates for kindness and understanding, encouraging readers to reflect on their own actions and attitudes towards others.
How does August's family support him throughout the story?
August's family plays a crucial role in his development and emotional well-being throughout Wonder. His parents, Nate and Isabel, provide unwavering love and support, helping him navigate the challenges of attending school for the first time. His sister, Via, also offers her support, although she faces her own struggles with identity and friendship. The family's protective nature and encouragement foster August's resilience and confidence, illustrating the importance of familial support in overcoming adversity.
What is the significance of the 'Choose Kind' campaign related to Wonder?
The 'Choose Kind' campaign, inspired by Wonder, promotes kindness and acceptance in schools and communities. It encourages individuals to act with empathy and compassion towards others, particularly those who may be marginalized or bullied. This campaign aligns with the book's central themes, emphasizing the transformative power of kindness in fostering a supportive environment. By participating in this initiative, students and educators can engage in meaningful discussions about the impact of their actions on others.

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