In Indonesia, this book is published by Atria Publisher.
http://floriayasmin.blogspot.com/2013/01/wonder.html |
He knows he's different. He knows that his face is so ugly so everyone will stare at him twice when they meet him for the first time. He knows that everyone see him and feels sorry to him, or, even worse, mock him. But, he's just keep quiet, pretend that he doesn't hear that, pretend that nothing is different. Only in his house he feels secure. He really loves halloween, because, in halloween, he can just go everywhere without being stared by people.
But, now, after he feels secure with his house, his family, and his homeschooling, he must face the real world, public school, on grade 5. He must deal with all entire school stare at him everyday, pretend that he can bring disease if somebody touch his body, and being mocked & ignored by his friends.
This book tells us about his struggle with his new school life by his point of view, how he face the real world. Before he go to public school, his family and friends (which you can count with your fingers) always treat him special, tell him that he is special and love him. But, he must face the real world, the society that still think he's ugly, he's different, and can't accept him easily.
But, not only that, in this book, we can also know the caregivers' point of view, his sister and his bestfriends, and even, the caregivers' significant others (his sister's boyfriend, his sister's friend) which i think is the plus point of this book. We can know that August's life also affect their life, especially their social life.
From this book, i learn aboout their struggle (August and another kids who have this disease) to face the society. They can't do it alone, there must be supports for them, from family, friends, school teacher, and others. They know that society won't accept them easily. Some of them just give up with their life, don't want to face the society. Some of their caregivers just don't want them to be hurt by the society, keep them in the safe place, and make them rely on their caregivers for the rest of their life. But, the best thing to do is, let them know the society when they ready, so they know that, "..many bad people out there, but the good people are more. (August's mother, 2012)."
R. J. Palacio wrote this book for the children, as cited from his website,
" I hope that kids will come away with the idea that they are noticed: their actions are noted. Maybe not immediately or directly or even in a way that seems obvious, but if they’re mean, someone suffers. If they’re kind, someone benefits. And the choice is theirs: whether to be noticed for being kind or for being mean. They get to choose who they want to be in this world. And it’s not their friends and not their parents who make those choices: it’s them."
Just a little talk about your friend behind his/her back can bring your friend to become your enemy
Just a little smile and hello to make a lonely person feels accepted
Just a little stare at someone to make him down
Just a little kindness in every act to make the world a better place
Last, this is one of August's quotes which i love the most:
Everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their life because we all overcometh the world. - Auggie” (Palacio, 2012)
You can visit her website : rjpalacio.com for the story behind the book, other faqs, and guide for teachers :)
wow .. loe punya nia? pinjem dong :D
BalasHapus