Wonder 1

Name Date
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Wonder Acts of
NOV E L
Kindness
Throughout R.J. Palacio’s Wonder, August experiences the positive impact
that small acts of kindness can have on people and their communities.
Now, it’s your turn to encourage a culture of kindness. First, brainstorm
ways you can be kind to an individual or community. Then, choose one
act of kindness to do. Finally, reflect on your experience.
STEP ONE: MY KINDNESS LIST

Take a moment to think about ways to spread kindness. Use the space below to write down at
least three kind acts you can do on your own, without the help of an adult.
1.
2.
3.
STEP TWO: KINDNESS IN ACTION

Choose one action from your kindness list to complete in the next few days.
My act of kindness will be: I will complete it by:
STEP THREE: REFLECTION

After completing your act of kindness, reflect on your experience.
1. What was your act of kindness? Describe your actions, who was involved, and what happened.
2. How did it make you feel? Explain.
3. How did the person or people you were kind to respond to your act of kindness?
4. How does your real-life experience of kindness connect to the theme of kindness in Wonder?
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Name Date Page 1
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Wonder
NOV E L
Character Tracker
Use the graphic organizer to keep track of the characters in R.J. Palacio’s
Wonder. As you meet new characters, write a few words to describe their
appearance, personality, and character development throughout the book.
PHYSICAL PERSONALITY CHARACTER

NAME
APPEARANCE TRAITS DEVELOPMENT
August “Auggie”
Pullman
Olivia “Via”
Pullman
Isabel “Mom”
Pullman
Nate “Dad”
Pullman
Mr. Tushman
Jack Will
Julian Albans

Name Date Page 2
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Wonder
NOV E L
Character Tracker
Keep going! Describe the characters in the graphic organizer below. Use the
empty rows to jot notes about additional characters from R.J. Palacio’s Wonder.
PHYSICAL PERSONALITY CHARACTER

NAME
APPEARANCE TRAITS DEVELOPMENT
Miranda
Justin
Summer

Name Date
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Wonder Create Your Own

NOV E L
Character Awards
In R.J. Palacio’s Wonder, Mr. Tushman awards August with the Henry Ward Beecher
medal to honor his strength of character and the ways he inspires others to be better
people. To his delight, Auggie receives a standing ovation as he accepts his award.
It’s your turn to give a standing ovation. Choose two
characters from Wonder who should receive awards for AWARD INSPIRATION:
their courage, kindness, friendship, character, or other • Most calm person in an emergency
positive traits or actions. Then, create the awards for • Most encouraging classmate
your chosen characters. • Kindest to animals
STEP ONE: Brainstorm.

Which characters should receive an award? Why? Brainstorm your ideas in the space below.
CHARACTER NAME AWARD
STEP TWO: Write your awards.

Using your brainstorming from above, write awards for two characters from Wonder.
Wonder CHARACTER AWARD Wonder CHARACTER AWARD

AWARD TITLE: AWARD TITLE:
AWARDED TO: AWARDED TO:
IN RECOGNITION OF: IN RECOGNITION OF:

Page 1
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Wonder Discussion
NOV E L
Guide #1
Encourage critical thinking and support your students’ literacy development
by asking questions during reading. Here are some questions you can ask
your readers to engage them in a discussion.
Chapters: Ordinary – Home

CO M P R EHE N S I O N :
• Who is the narrator?
• Why does August think he is not ordinary?
• Why does August’s mom think that he should start school?
• How does August’s dad convince him to tour Beecher Prep?
• Why is August upset at his mom when students give him a tour of the school?
• Describe how Jack, Charlotte, and Julian interact with August during the school tour.
• What signal does August use with his mom, and what does it mean?
A N ALY SIS:
• August describes which friends have invited him to their birthday parties. Why do you think this
is important to him?
• August describes Mrs. Garcia giving him a “shiny smile” when she first meets him. What is a
shiny smile, and how does August feel about it?
• Mr. Tushman tells August that Julian, Jack, and Charlotte are "nice kids." Do you think Mr.
Tushman knows what the three students are like when they’re not around adults? Explain.
PERSON AL CO N N E CT I O N :
• After they return home and August tells his mom about the tour, he says he still wants to attend
school. Describe a time when you made a big decision. What things did you think about to make
sure you were making the right decision?

Page 2
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Wonder Discussion
NOV E L
Guide #1
Chapters: First-Day Jitters – Names

• How does August feel on the first day of school?
• Why does Julian ask August about Darth Sidious?
• What is a precept?
• Who is Summer?
• How does August rate his first day of school, and how does his mom respond to the score?
• What happens when August‘s mom reads aloud to him at the end of the first day of school?
• How does August realize that kids at his school avoid touching him?
• What does August like best about Halloween?
• Summarize the conversation that August overhears on Halloween and describe his response.
A N ALY SIS:
• When he listens to his parents talking in the car, August hears Dad say that August would be
“like a lamb to the slaughter” if they sent him to school. What does this saying mean, and how
does August feel about this description?
• Why does August cut off the braid on his head?

• Do you think Jack Will is August's friend? Why or why not?
• School cafeterias can be challenging, especially for new students. On August’s first day of
school, he’s surprised when someone sits with him at lunch. Think about a time when you or
someone you know took the first step to do something nice for someone else. What was it like?

Page 1
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Wonder Discussion
NOV E L
Guide #2
Chapters: A Tour of the Galaxy – Time to Think

• Name three reasons Via’s four-week visit with Grans was the best time of her life.
• Describe Via’s response when she first sees August after being away for four weeks.
• What is Via’s favorite part about high school?
• What changes between Via and her two best friends when they start high school?
• On the morning of Halloween, Via and her mom stay home together. Why? How does Via feel
about their time together?
• How does Via convince August to go back to school after Halloween?

• Why does Miranda call August?
A N ALY SIS:
• Via describes August as “the Sun.” What does she mean by this?
• Via gives a detailed description of August's face. Why do you think the author waited until this
point in the book to give this description?
• Why do you think Via is angry that August cuts off his Padawan braid? What does this reveal
about Via’s character?
• When Via gets to high school, her relationship with her best friends changes. Describe a time
when one of your friendships changed. How did you feel, and why?

Page 2
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Wonder Discussion
NOV E L
Guide #2
Chapters: Weird Kids – The Egyptian Tomb

• Why does Summer keep hanging out with August?
• What is the Plague, and what does Summer think about this “game”?
• What makes Summer decide to leave Savanna’s party without saying goodbye to her friends?
• Why does Summer get angry with August?
• How does Summer's mom initially react to August’s appearance?
• What clue does Summer give Jack about why August is mad at him? Why is it a good clue?
A N ALY SIS:
• Why does August believe Mr. Tushman told Summer she has to be friends with him?
• Summer finally asks August what is wrong with his face, and he explains. Why do you think
August can answer Summer’s question in a relaxed way?
PERSON AL CO N N E C T I O N :
• August accuses Summer of only being his friend because Mr. Tushman asked her to be his friend.
Describe a time when you were accused of something that wasn’t true. How did you feel, and
how did you respond?

Page 1
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Wonder Discussion
NOV E L
Guide #3
Chapters: The Call – Private School

• What is Jack's first reaction when he hears that Mr. Tushman wants him to be a “welcome buddy”
for August, and what impacts his ultimate decision?
• List the four takeaways Jack has after spending time with August.
• Why is Jack confused that August is angry at him?
• How does Jack feel when he and August stop being friends?
• Where did Jack get his new sled, and why is he excited about it?
• What does Jack consider the bravest thing he has ever done?
• What does Jack realize about his sled during his conversation with Julian and Miles? How does
that make him feel?
A N ALY SIS:
• How does Jack feel about Julian and his group? Why do you think he keeps spending time with
them?
• Jack says his family is not wealthy. What are three things he mentions to show that his family
has less money than other Beecher Prep families?
• Jack’s babysitter Veronica tells him, “. . . you don’t have to mean to hurt someone.” Describe a
time your feelings were hurt, even though someone wasn’t being mean to you. How did you
express your feelings? What did you learn from this experience?

Page 2
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Wonder Discussion
NOV E L
Guide #3
Chapters: In Science – The Boyfriend

• How does Jack feel when he finally realizes why August stopped talking to him?
• Why does Jack punch Julian in the mouth?
• Why doesn’t Jack want to tell Mr. Tushman why he hit Julian?
• What does Julian's mother do to the class photograph, and why?
• How do August and Jack become friends again?
• What happens to Jack on the first day after winter break?
• Why is Julian starting a "boy war"?
• How does Via react when she meets Jack? Why?
A N ALY SIS:
• How does Mr. Tushman handle the conflict between Jack and Julian? Why do you think he
makes those decisions?
• Summarize the email that Julian’s mother sends to Mr. Tushman. How does this help you
understand why Julian treats August so poorly?
• Jack calls Summer brave for being friends with August. Describe a time you were brave at school.
What choices did you make to be brave?

Page 1
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Wonder Discussion
NOV E L
Guide #4
Chapters: Olivia’s Brother – The Universe

• Who is Justin, and how does he react when he sees August for the first time?
• What does Justin experience when he gets nervous or stressed?
• Name three things Justin likes about Olivia’s family.
• Describe what happens when Justin confronts Julian, Miles, and Henry.
• What does Justin learn by talking to Miranda, and how does he feel about it?
• Why does Olivia cry and tell Justin she’s a bad person?
A N ALY SIS:
• Look back at the end of the chapter called “The Boyfriend,“ where Jack describes meeting
Justin. Then look at Justin's description of the same scene at the beginning of “Olivia‘s Brother.”
Compare and contrast the way Jack and Justin each describe their first meeting. Include two
similarities and two differences.
• What motivates Justin to threaten Julian, Henry, and Miles? What does this tell you about
Justin‘s character?
• In Justin‘s final chapter, “The Universe,” he ponders whether everything that happens is random
or has a greater purpose. What makes him wonder about this? Do you agree or disagree with
Justin’s conclusions? Explain your answer.
• In this section, Justin and Olivia make a wish on a ladybug. Describe a time when you made a
wish. What was the outcome, and how did you feel about it?

Page 2
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Wonder Discussion
NOV E L
Guide #4
Chapters: North Pole – After the Show

• What does August notice about the attention he receives from parents at the science fair, and
how does he feel about it?
• What kinds of notes does Julian leave for Jack? How are they different from the notes that
August and Jack leave for Julian?
• By March, August starts to notice some changes at school. Name two.

• How does the ear doctor help August get comfortable with his hearing aids?
• How does August feel before and after he wears his new hearing aids to school?
• Why does August get angry with Olivia and their mom at dinner?
• What sudden event does the Pullman family face after the argument over dinner?
• What explanation does Miranda give for why she stopped being friends with Via?
• What does Miranda miss most about being friends with Olivia, and why?
A N ALY SIS:
• Why does August think that it is nice of Maya to give him an Uglydoll?
• How does the author show that August is growing up in these chapters?
• Miranda says she doesn’t know what makes her back out of performing on opening night.
Why do you think she does it?
• Think of a time when you did something without fully knowing why. Can you better understand
why you did it after some time has passed? Explain.

Page 1
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Wonder Discussion
NOV E L
Guide #5
Chapters: The Fifth-Grade Nature Retreat – Sleep

• What two feelings does August have the night before the fifth-grade nature retreat? Why might
he be experiencing those feelings?
• Why doesn't August want to take his Star Wars duffel bag to the nature retreat?
• On the morning of the nature retreat, who does August see, and how does it impact him?
• What does August leave behind for his mom? Explain his reasoning.
• Who doesn’t attend the nature retreat? How does August feel when he finds out?
• What is the first sign there could be trouble during the outdoor movie?
• Why doesn’t August run away from the seventh graders in the woods?
• What does Amos do when August begins to cry, and why is it a big deal?
• At night, after the attack in the woods, August remembers something his dad had said before
school started. What is it, and what does August think about its meaning now?
A N ALY SIS:
• Why do you think Amos, Henry, and Miles help Jack and August?
• Why does August start crying when he realizes that he lost his hearing aids during the fight?
• Why do you think August lies to Mr. Tushman about the boys who attacked them?
• Have you, or someone you know, ever stood up for someone being bullied? What happened,
and how did it make you feel?

Page 2
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Wonder Discussion
NOV E L
Guide #5
Chapters: Aftermath – Appendix

• What are three feelings August experiences after he gets home from the nature retreat?
• How do Olivia and August spend the day after the nature retreat?
• How do students treat August after the nature retreat?
• Mr. Tushman hangs August's self-portrait as a duck behind his desk. What does Mr. Tushman
believe the portrait symbolizes, and is he correct, according to August?
• What confession does August’s dad make in the car before the fifth-grade graduation ceremony,
and how does August react?
• What is Mr. Tushman’s graduation speech about?

• What does the Henry Ward Beecher medal represent, and why does August receive it?
• How does August feel about receiving the award, and how does the audience react?
A N ALY SIS:
• Why do you think the author included multiple points of view in the book? And, why do you think
the author ultimately ends the book with August as the narrator, just like she started the book?
• How does Mr. Tushman feel about August? Find two pieces of text evidence to explain your
answer.
• What does August's mom mean when she says he is “a wonder?”
• Tell about a time you or someone you know deserved an award like the Henry Ward Beecher
medal and why.

Name Date Page 1
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Wonder
NOV E L
Movie Guide
Wonder by R.J. Palacio was turned into a movie that brings the inspiring story to
life. Watch the movie and compare the written and movie versions of the story.
Complete the graphic organizer and then answer the questions that follow.
BOOK FILM
SIMILARITIES
How was the movie similar to the book?
DIFFERENCES
How was the movie different from the book?
READER EXPERIENCE VIEWER EXPERIENCE

Describe your experience as you read Describe your experience as you watched the
the book. How did you picture the movie. How did the characters, settings,
people, settings, and events? and events compare to your expectations?

Name Date Page 2
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Wonder
NOV E L
Movie Guide
Use your notes from the graphic organizer to answer the questions below.
1. How does the overall experience of reading Wonder compare to watching the movie?
2. What scenes from the book were not included in the movie? What scenes were added? Why
do you think these scenes were removed from or added to the movie?
3. Which version of the story had more of an emotional effect on you? Why?
4. If you were the movie director, how would you approach turning the book into a movie?
What parts of the story would you absolutely preserve to stay true to R.J. Palacio’s story?
What changes would you make to improve the story?
5. Would you suggest that someone read the book or watch the movie first? Why?

Name Date
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Wonder Post-Reading
NOV E L
Response Prompts
After reading Wonder, choose five of the following prompts to respond to.
Look at Julian’s precept in the Appendix. What do you think is significant about his
A. postcard precept? Use text evidence to support your response.
How and why does Olivia’s perception of August change throughout the book? Explain
B. your reasoning by providing an example that reflects Olivia’s new understanding of August.
Imagine you’re creating a self-portrait of yourself as an animal. What animal would you
C. choose, and why? Optional: Draw your self-portrait.
Reread Mr. Tushman’s graduation speech. Consider the educators in your life. Who is most
D. like Mr. Tushman, and how have they impacted you or others you know?
Think about Jack and his role in the story of Wonder. What does he learn, and how does
E. he change over the school year?
What is the importance of the astronaut helmet in the story? What does the helmet
F. represent to August’s father and to August?
Compare and contrast Julian’s parents with Jack’s parents. How do you think the parents’
G. attitudes and values affect their children?
When Jack punches Julian, Mr. Tushman bends the rules to let him stay in school. Does
H. Mr. Tushman do the right thing? Why or why not? How is this consistent with other
actions Mr. Tushman takes? Use text evidence to support your response.
Why do you think R.J. Palacio titled the book Wonder? Include examples from the text to
I. support your answer.
Read the excerpt from the Natalie Merchant song found at the beginning of the book:
Doctors have come from distant cities
just to see me
stand over my bed
disbelieving what they’re seeing
J. They say I must be one of the wonders
of god’s own creation
and as far as they can see
they can offer no explanation.
Explain how the quote relates to August's story, providing at least one example.

Name Date
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Wonder
NOV E L
Pre-Reading Activity
Read each statement and put a checkmark in the “Agree” column if you mostly agree with
the statement or think it’s true. If you mostly disagree with the statement or think it’s false,
put a checkmark in the “Disagree” column. Be sure to respond to each statement.
AGREE DISAGREE
1. Someone’s appearance tells you a lot about them.
2. Kids need their parents to take care of them.
3. It is wrong to lie.
4. Adults can learn important life lessons from kids.
5. It’s easy to be kind to everyone.
6. It‘s fun to be the new person at school.
7. Life is difficult for those who don’t fit in with the crowd.
8. It’s fine to change things about yourself if it means having friends.
9. Once you are best friends with someone, you‘ll always be best friends.
10. Actions speak louder than words.
11. It is easy to forgive people who hurt your feelings.
12. The best way to respond to a bully is to ignore them.
Choose one statement and explain your response on the lines below.

Name Date
UDY
ST
Wonder Write Your

NOV E L
Postcard Precept
In R.J. Palacio’s Wonder, Auggie’s English teacher, Mr. Browne, introduces students
to precepts. He says, “Basically, a precept is anything that helps guide us when making
decisions about really important things.”
Mr. Browne asks his students to send him a postcard over the summer stating their
own precepts. Pretend you’re one of his students, and write a postcard to Mr. Browne
with your own precept. First, cut out the postcard. Then, write a precept that is a quote
or an original statement, and underneath, explain why you chose it. If you use someone
else’s words, include the person’s name. Finally, illustrate the back of the postcard with
an image related to your precept.
Mr. Browne
c/o Beecher Preparatory School
123 W 148th Street
New York, New York 12856


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Name Date

STEP ONE: MY KINDNESS LIST

STEP TWO: KINDNESS IN ACTION

My act of kindness will be: I will complete it by:

STEP THREE: REFLECTION

2. How did it make you feel? Explain.

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PHYSICAL PERSONALITY CHARACTER

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PHYSICAL PERSONALITY CHARACTER

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Wonder Create Your Own

STEP ONE: Brainstorm.

CHARACTER NAME AWARD

STEP TWO: Write your awards.

Wonder CHARACTER AWARD Wonder CHARACTER AWARD

AWARDED TO: AWARDED TO:

IN RECOGNITION OF: IN RECOGNITION OF:

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Chapters: Ordinary – Home

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Chapters: First-Day Jitters – Names

• Why does August cut off the braid on his head?

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Chapters: A Tour of the Galaxy – Time to Think

• How does Via convince August to go back to school after Halloween?

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Chapters: Weird Kids – The Egyptian Tomb

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Chapters: The Call – Private School

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Chapters: In Science – The Boyfriend

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Chapters: Olivia’s Brother – The Universe

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Chapters: North Pole – After the Show

• By March, August starts to notice some changes at school. Name two.

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Chapters: The Fifth-Grade Nature Retreat – Sleep

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Chapters: Aftermath – Appendix

• What is Mr. Tushman’s graduation speech about?

• What does August's mom mean when she says he is “a wonder?”

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READER EXPERIENCE VIEWER EXPERIENCE

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1. Someone’s appearance tells you a lot about them.

2. Kids need their parents to take care of them.

4. Adults can learn important life lessons from kids.

5. It’s easy to be kind to everyone.

6. It‘s fun to be the new person at school.

8. It’s fine to change things about yourself if it means having friends.

10. Actions speak louder than words.

11. It is easy to forgive people who hurt your feelings.

12. The best way to respond to a bully is to ignore them.

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Wonder Write Your

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