Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Wonder

Last summer I read the young adult book, Wonder, upon the recommendation of my friend, Ginger.  I loved the book.  It's about a fifth grader with a facial deformity, who has been home schooled his whole life due to surgeries.  But this year his parents are sending him to school, where he encounters bullies, but also makes friends.  It's a heartwarming story, that teaches us to be kind to those who are different.  When I heard the movie was coming out, I wanted to take my boys.  And then I thought I'd also like to take my class!  I was teaching Freshman Orientation, and it seemed like a message we all could use.

So the day before Thanksgiving my class took a field trip to the movies, and my mom met us there with my boys, who were already out of school.  The movie was incredible.  I almost cried several times.  One of my students was still crying on the way out.  It made a HUGE impression on my boys.  They talked about it for hours.  It opened up a lot of discussion at our house.  Especially Cort, who has a very empathic personality.  My mom bought him a copy of the book (the wait to get it from our library is several months).  Once he had his hands on the book, this is what happened over the next few days.




 
 
He says it is his favorite book.  Next up?  He's reading the sequel.  The film had a great message for anyone age 8 and up.  And the book is even better than the film.  I highly recommend both!
 
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas! 

23 comments:

  1. ...being a reader, what a wonderful thing.

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  2. Hi Lisa - those photos are absolutely precious and brought a tear to my eye! Love when children read - such a wonderful pastime that will last a lifetime. I haven't seen the movie but will try to get there soon.
    A lovely idea to take your class too.
    Here's wishing you and your family a very blessed and happy Christmas - and all the best for the coming year.
    Mary -

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  3. How wonderful, Lisa, all the way around. And, that little Cort; well he's just so adorable and smart. I'm glad everyone who saw the movie "got it". We need everyone to learn about bullying. That's a fact.

    Merry Merry Christmas to you, Paul and the boys. :)
    xoxo

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  4. I've heard only good things about the movie and the book. I watched an in-depth show (20/20?) on a young man with the same condition as the boy in the movie; what a special person and family they are! So lovely that you've exposed the Freshman class to this; hopefully that will instill some empathy in them.

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  5. i will have to look it up.Reading similar age book, Another kind of Christmas by Alex Hailey

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  6. How neat... I have never heard of that book or the movie --but I think anything kids can learn about other children who are DIFFERENT is very important... Bullying is everywhere these days --and I feel sorry for kids who may be 'different' --and who may get bullied....

    Too bad that that book/movie isn't required reading/seeing for ALL kids in schools these days...

    Merry Christmas.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  7. Books are ALWAYS better than the movie version. I love that your boys are such avid readers. We used to bring our kids to the bookstore after report cards. They could pick out whatever books they wanted...and as many as they wanted. While the other kids were getting cash per "A" or "B"...mine were excited about books.

    wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

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  8. I went over to check on the sequel book on Amazon and saw that you have left me a comment on my post today. The movie was wonderful and I was so happy to see so many children in the audience. Glad you loved it!

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  9. This is so special... so very special
    love
    tweedles

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  10. What a wonderful Christmas gift you have given to so many!! The gift of kindness, tolerance, and empathy. An experience so much better than actually opening gift. Really kind of spiritual. I didn't know there is a sequel!`

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  11. What a wonderful trip to make with your students.. and boys! And I just love your litte guy for the kind spirit he is.. and his love for books. and that kitty!!...

    I'm looking forward to the movie when it comes out on InDemand (need the CC )

    Merry Christmas Lisa & Family!

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  12. I have had that book on my radar but haven't read it yet. I have heard only good things about it. It does my heart good to see your boys reading. :-) I started to recommend a book to you on Goodreads yesterday---Rain Reign--and saw that you had already read it. So many books to read!

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  13. My kind of book. I used YA books both for teaching history and geography. I think good stories beat boring textbooks...:)

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  14. My wife taught special education for many years, and had some students with similar experiences. I don't know if she really likes to think back about those times, but I will ask her if she would like to see the movie. It has to have a happy ending though, she won't go to a movie that doesn't.

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  15. That's wonderful. Liv read the book twice last year. We haven't seen the movie, yet. But perhaps, when we're visiting my parents for Christmas, my mom may be able to see it with us.

    Merry Christmas!

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  16. Love seeing how into the book he is! I read Wonder a few years ago and loved it. I haven't seen the movie yet- but I have heard great things about it. Glad you all got to see it and that it made such an impression. :)
    ~Jess

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  17. Hi Lisa,
    I stop by to visit you for the Holidays, say hello & see your beautiful children. Your family is beautiful. You are so blessed, Lisa.
    I love your new kitten. Your children are growing so fast & gorgeous.
    You are one lucky lady, Lisa. I was looking into Shennandoah Valley, Va.
    I was looking for a horse farm available there around the Blue Ridge Mountains... WOW!! WOW!! WOW!!...
    Your State is so gorgeous. I was so impressed! Do you live in the Valley?
    Have a Merry Christmas with your children, family & loved ones!!
    Happy New Year 2018!!
    God may bless you all.
    Season Greetings from Poet Starry, from our home to yours.

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  18. I do not know of this book and film but I am impressed that your sons were able to take a lot of life learning from both. It cheers my heart up that there are still children who will read a book, rather than being glued to iphones, etc.
    Wishing happy holidays to you and your family.

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  19. Oh, I can't help loving Cort! What a great kid!

    Merry Christmas to you and your family, and your animals too!

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  20. Seeing those images of your son engrossed in a book is a DELIGHT.

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  21. What a great idea! I just love that you shared this message with your students and your boys. Thank you for this post. Little Lewie and I are definitely going to start reading this book and see the movie. Happy holidays to you, my friend!!

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  22. Mica read Wonder and Auggie and Me. I had to read it with Isaak. That's when he was in a transition from kid books to bigger chapter books. We loved the books and the movie.

    He's still not the reader I'd like him to be. He's all about the pictures like I was.

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  23. Haven't read the book but I really enjoyed the movie! So sad - I cried in lots of parts.

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