2/25/15

Literary Essay: Grade 6
Writing Unit 2

Note: this draft includes comments for my multi media video.

“There’s a lot of unnecessary meanness that happens while you’re trying to sort out who you want to be,” Is a quote from RJ Palacio. This quote reflects a book she has written called Wonder, (Pic of the cover of Wonder) a novel written by RJ Palacio. (Pic of the author) It is a story of a 5th grade boy just like any other boy, but there is one thing about this boy that is different. Auggie has a facial difference, which makes him a lot different from the other kids in the school. In Wonder Auggie must learn how he can change. He must discover his true passion, and find true friends. In order to get through 5th grade he must find himself, and discover who he really is. (6)

Throughout the story Auggie starts to learn more about himself and what he is about. He learns different things about himself that he never knew. For example at the end of the book when Auggie is talking to the Middle School Director Mr.Tushman he notices a picture he drew of himself at the beginning of the year. It was his self portrait as a duck. The author writes "Is it safe to assume that is was because of the...um, the duckling that turns into a swan?" Auggie responds to Mr. Tushman’s comment with "No, I just think I look like a duck." He realizes that maybe Mr. Tushman is right. Maybe when he grows p he will be the swan, he will be normal. (8)

Also, in the story Auggie and his friends go on a trip to 5th grade camp. At camp, one of the nights he spends there is movie night. Towards the end of the night Auggie and his friend Jack Will go into the woods to go to the bathroom when they run into some 7th graders. The 7th graders start making fun of Auggie when suddenly Henry, Miles, and Amos all show up out of nowhere. These boys start to defend Auggie. They start a fight and then in a panic the boys run away with Auggie at their side. The author then writes "Amos looked at me and nodded "It was cool how you stood your ground, little dude" he said high-fiving me." This shows how like Auggie did at the end of the book the boys change. They are nicer to Auggie, and they feel more comfortable around him. (8)

By the end of the story there is a example of changes in Auggie’s dad, and family. When Auggie and his dad are sitting in the car waiting for Auggie's graduation ceremony to start, Auggie's dad becomes more open and expressive towards Auggie. Auggie and his dad talk about how his dad does not want Auggie to cover up his face and how he loves seeing it. Auggie sees a change in his dad and it makes him change even more. At this part in the book the author writes ""Auggie, I couldn't stand seeing you wear that thing cover your face anymore," he said clumsy....." Auggie realizes that even though he does not like his face, other people do. And there is no point in hiding from the world if the world does not hide from you back. (7)

In conclusion, Wonder by R.J Palacio is a book the represents finding yourself and discovering who you really are. We see this through his friends, family, and teachers. When I first started school I had no idea what reading even was! But, when I learned how to read I got really good at it and used that to read Wonder. (Which, I might say was one of the best decisions I have ever made.)But, through reading Wonder I learned that always staying the same, and never trying something new is like being locked in a box for your entire life. It is like hiding yourself in a lifelong game of hide and seek. It is impossible. Auggie, discovers what he is really about, so why can’t we? “Rise above the storm and you will find the sunshine” is a quote from Mario Fernandez. It shows how you should not as Fernandez says stay under the storm or stay the same. You should change, try new things and “find the sunshine.”