P The encounter in the woods, which I can only categorize as a. meeting of the ultimate bully, was hair-raising. I would only hope my

Transcription

1 Good evening, Well we have come to the end of the book. As always, which I do not particularly like, the author finishes quickly and with a flourish. I personally like a book that can take its time. This does not often happen. P The encounter in the woods, which I can only categorize as a meeting of the ultimate bully, was hair-raising. I would only hope my friends would support and defend me in my hour on need. Just so you know we need our friends way past our middle school years. I am way older then you guys and I still count on friends and family for support and understanding. So I agree with MOM when she says on p that there are more good people on this earth than bad people, and the good people watch out for each other and take care of each other. P This is the page that convinced me that I needed to have this author visit our school. Of course I enjoyed the book, I hope you did as well, but any writer who references the Polyphonic Spree is someone I want to meet and I want my kids at school to meet as well. This is one of the best vocal bands I have ever seen and heard. I went to see them in an old church, it was no longer a church when I went, in Philadelphia about five years ago. They have a huge brass section and about 25 singers. They all wear white robes and sing like there is no tomorrow. I have one of their CD s in my office. I plan on playing it at school sometime this year.

2 and at the end of the day it was a pleasure reading about August and his adventures. He is certainly one of the bravest and most courageous characters, fictional or not, that I have had the pleasure to meet. I hope you agree. So remember the next time you see someone who does not fit our idea of NORMAL, consider the story of Auggie, and take the opportunity to make a friend who knows, maybe a lifelong friend. You really are a wonder, Auggie. You are a wonder. Enjoy the rest of the summer! Mr. Richards As usual I have attached some other references from the book you may enjoy. Wonder - Pages 248-to the end There are certain things you need to take on a camping trip, and moms are the ones who help us remember to pack them and actually use them when camping. Auggie's mom is no different. Sunscreen and bug spray are two big ones. But having a rain poncho, especially with a hood, is very important for Auggie as well. Why? Auggie is reading a favorite books, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis. In the part quoted on page 255, it tells how the White Witch knows the Deep Magic but that "there is a magic deeper still which she did not know." The White Witch is

3 evil and knows Magic. What might this "deeper magic" be like? And why does author R. J. Palacio include that phrase here? Here's a picture of the original cover of the book. The woods at the Broarwood Nature Reserve are not like the woods in Central Park. Auggie calls it "real woods." Central Park is an 843 acre public park in Manhattan in New York City. Here you can see what Central Park looks like in New York and part of the woods as well.

4 And even though they are camping in "real woods" there are still some modern games. Well, kind of modern, anyway. Auggie says they have Pac-Man and Missile Command classic arcade games.

5 More names for Auggie. This time it's Gollum and Alien and orc (again).

6 Gollum Alien Finally, Auggie mentions an "emperor's guard." In Star Wars the Emperor's Royal Guard are the characters in red in this image, and their only job is to protect the emperor. Although Auggie doesn't say exactly "Emperor's Royal Guard," does it make sense that he'd use a Star Wars reference? And considering the situation when Auggie uses the reference, why does this one seem especially important?

7 Mr. Brown's June Precept, the final precept for the school year, comes from a song by The Polyphonic Spree. JUST FOLLOW THE DAY AND REACH FOR THE SUN! is from the song "Light and Day." Just before the graduation ceremony, Auggie's dad tells him a secret, but then immediately wishes he hadn't said anything. He wants Auggie to keep the secret, but Auggie thinks he might as well try to get a little something out of it. He says he'll keep the secret if he gets the new Xbox when it comes out and his own car in about six years. A red Porsche.

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