Reflection One for Wonder

Analysis Summary

This story is focused around ten-year-old, Auggie Pullman, who was born with extreme facial abnormalities and is transitioning from being home-schooled to attending a private school. He experiences taunting from his classmates and struggles to be seen as just another student. One problematic theme that comes to light in this story is the aspect of Disability Stereotypes: Characters with disabilities are sometimes portrayed only in terms of their disability, or their stories are solely about overcoming disability, rather than offering well-rounded representations. For example, this story is written through a multi-voiced approach which can be seen as a unique and creative way to present a well rounded perspective. However, the problem is that in the real-world people who are affected by physical disabilities are often overcome when their voices are stifled by people who don’t have those disabilities. It would have been more realistic and down-to-earth for Auggie to have had the opportunity to own an undivided narrative through his voice and his voice only. Instead of having his peers and family members who are fully able bodied speaking over him and weakening the power of his perspective and viewpoint.

Impact Assessment

In this text the main character, Auggie, doesn’t have anyone else in his life who is going through the same experiences he is, no peers who share his disability and no mentor to help guide him through his life. Because of this he often feels alone in his experiences and doesn’t have any common ground with those around him, even his family. Because of this I could see my students and my focal student especially feeling the same way Auggie feels, alone. This book almost perpetuates the idea that this is simply just the way things are and he must deal with facing the world on his own. This is not a truthful statement or perspective. No matter what we’re going through in life, we never have to go through it alone. Even if you feel like you are the only one feeling your feelings, the fact is that there are a number of people out there feeling exactly like you. This can be seen throughout society in different social movements, therapy support groups, self-help phone lines, etc. There are ways for our students to connect with others who can justify their feelings because they feel them too. Our students need to know that they are never alone and can always seek help even in the darkest of days.

Alternative Texts

• A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome by Ariel Henley

Guiding Questions

1. How is the overall perspective more realistic and true to the issue in A Face for Picasso than in Wonder?
2. Does the fact that a Face for Picasso was written by someone who had actually experienced this reality provide a better representation of a doorway for those who find themselves in similar situations than the book Wonder which was written by someone who has not experienced this for themselves?
3. The author in A Face for Picasso is actually accompanied by someone in their life who they share the same experience with compared to Auggie who is alone in his experience throughout the book Wonder. Does this have a stronger impact on readers?