August: A wonderful boy. I invite you to read his story in the wonder book summary. Without a doubt, a good example of what resilience means.
Wonder book summary
At wonder book summary, we will know the story of August, a 10-year-old boy who tries to live a normal life. It is a work created by Raquel Palacio, a prominent American cover designer and art director, who made her debut as a writer of children's books in 2012 with August's Lesson, better known as Wonder.
Is August a normal boy?
August, if it weren't for the number of operations he has undergone since the moment of his birth, he would be a normal child; but there is a detail, the boys of his age go to school and August learns from home. Is he really a normal boy?
He was born with a facial deformity, but with beautiful eyes. The day of his birth, the doctor fainted as if he were the one who had to live his life questioned by his anomaly. August instead smiled.
His world revolves inside the house until he has to go to school for the first time. Despite the fact that his mother teaches him everything he needs to know, the time has come for him to face another new challenge in his short life.
Little Auggie goes to school
In this part of wonder book summary We will accompany our little protagonist in the new experience that going to school represents.
Auggie, as his parents affectionately call him, likes to read and has a special interest in science, but that's not enough to convince him that he has to go to school.
The first time he went, he perceived a forced kindness from Jack, Charlotte and Julián, who are his new classmates. Although he is already used to it, he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable at the latter's reckless comments.
The nerves of the first day kept him company. Nobody sat next to her in any of the classes, but who cares. He is also used to that. However, at the end of the day he is convinced of one thing: no matter what happens, he will like the school.
Following with the wonder book summary, we come to a month of celebrations. In October it's his birthday, in October wearing a costume is normal.
Halloween
August wishes that every day was Halloween, so he could wear a mask all the time, or maybe his astronaut helmet that he likes so much. That way people would accept him and not judge him just by his physical appearance.
That's when by chance, under his guise as the bad guy from Scream, he discovered how hard it can be to betray someone you think is your friend, in this case Jack. All the security he felt crumbled, and he took refuge where and with whom he has always done: his home, his mother, his family.
Via's life
At the age of six, Vía had to learn to give up her space and share her parents' love, but it's not easy being August's older sister. He usually needs constant attention and care, she knows and understands it.
Via loves August with all her heart; in the same way that her grandmother loves her. That's how she told him the last time they saw each other: She was hers, all hers, there were already many angels taking care of Auggie.
Unfortunately, shortly after her grandmother went to heaven and became just another angel, but for her Vía would always be the first. That's her secret, but it's not the only thing she doesn't say; few people at school know of August's existence; only his great friends, Miranda and Eva, know his story.
Apart from everything Vía has experienced since the birth of her younger brother, she now has to deal with adolescence. Since she went back to school something has changed, her friends are no longer the same.
A time for Vía and Isabel
Adolescence, plus the memory of her grandmother's death, made Halloween a sad day for Vía. The good thing is that she could spend some time alone with her mother while they watched a movie; however, a call from August's school changes the plans.
Auggie got sick at school, someone had to help him; She via again understood and acted like he didn't care. Once again it is okay to give up his time for his mother to care for his younger brother.
That was how the time that Vía was going to spend with her mother disappeared. Instead, she ended up comforting her brother; After all, it was Halloween, August's favorite day.
Summer and Jack
Summer doesn't know why, but she likes August. The first time she approached him she did it out of pity, but after a short time she began to feel pleasure every time she eats with him; It must be because Auggie is funny.
Jack is something else. That time he walked Charlotte and Julian on August's tour of the school, he did it because the Headmaster, Mr. Traseronian, asked him to. However, that was not the first time he saw it.
Jack remembers it very well, some time ago he had met August on the street. He had reacted like all children when they see him: he was amazed and started asking the babysitter uncomfortable questions about him.
However, just like Summer, over time she grew fond of the new kid at school; Everything goes well until Halloween, but Jack doesn't know why August is upset with him. It was Summer who made him understand the consequences of speaking ill of other people, even worse if they consider themselves friends.
friendship fights back
Jack regrets making those comments about August; his intention was not to hurt him, he just wanted to look good in front of the other boys in the room, but it's too late. He now knows that he values his friendship and that he doesn't feel good around the other children; they are not like August.
Fortunately, life almost always gives second chances; Jack's came after he had confronted Julian. Hitting him for defending his friendship with August earned him a school detention, but it was worth it.
Without a doubt, Jack has been raised with good values. So he decided to apologize to his friend with the wish that everything would go back to the way it was before, and it was.
A new ally, Justin
Vía no longer feels alone, since she meets Justin her life is filled with music and color. Best of all, he's not shocked when she first sees August; on the contrary, he understands the family situation.
Besides, Justin shares theater scenes with Vía and with her old friend, Miranda. Definitely, the paths of destiny are uncertain.
Vía has another secret
Vía is happy with the new things that are happening in her life: Justin and the theater. She doesn't want anything or anyone to rob her of feeling important; that's why she hasn't told her family that she will soon be in a play.
However, like all mothers, no secret can be hidden from her for long. Annoyed by her daughter's attitude, Isabel makes a complaint to Vía; she ends up confronting her and her mother finally understands Vía's reasons for keeping this part of her life away from her reality.
The problem gets bigger when August realizes what's going on; however, the situation calms down when Isabel has to take her children's pet, Daisy, to the vet. In the end, the old bitch goes to heaven along with other members of the family who have already died.
Miranda and Via
Miranda's life is very different from Vía's. Deep down she wants to have a family like hers; maybe that's why she feels good when she pretends to be like Via.
When on the day of the premiere of the play she realizes that no one has gone to see her, instead Vía's family is present, she makes the decision to give her friend the opportunity to be the protagonist of the story along with Justin. . Everything turns out well, and at the end of the play both friends smile again as before.
The graduation
At the end of the school year, it is time to recognize the mistakes and the successes, and to continue growing. After an emotional speech about kindness, goodness, friendship, among other important values, Mr. Traseronian calls August to receive a well-deserved award.
It is a medal in recognition of having conquered the hearts of all members of the school community. And it is that apart from everything, the greatness and strength of August leave us an important lesson: Resilience, is the ability to overcome adversity thinking about the opportunity for a better future.
I invite you to read the article about dramatic genre for children. There you will learn all the details about this interesting literary movement. Cheer up!