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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
This is a long story from the point of view of Julian, the worst bully in the novel "Wonder". At 85-pages, I think it is longer than any of the other characters' perspectives in the novel, except for Auggie's himself. It is separate from the Wonder book, because it focuses on Julian's story, first tying it into the action of Wonder, but then branching out into a separate story of Julian's grandmother, a Jew in France during WWII who was saved by her crippled neighbor, who she had bullied in school. The story seemed very heavy-handed. It was an attempt to redeem Julian, but I wasn't convinced that a 10-year-old listening to his grandmother's story could have such a great shift in perspective so clearly and quickly.
I cannot stress enough how important this book is. I recommend reading it immediately upon finishing "Wonder." Incredible insight into the mind of the bully, what motivates all of us to "bully" sometimes, and also an incredibly moving and relevant history lesson. I actually enjoyed this supplement more than "Wonder" - they are BOTH the better for the inclusion of "The Julian Chapter." Brilliantly done. Bravo, R.J. Palacio. You too are a wonder. As a teacher and a mother, I cannot stress the necessity of this book enough. Both "Wonder" and "The Julian Chapter" should be staples of any literary life.
Julian comes off as the bad kid in Wonder, Palacio's amazing story about Augie, a boy with major facial disfigurement. Julian's methods of coping are understandable in a middle school child, but he did not fare well in the book.
Palacio got asked about Julian and so wrote a novella about what happened to him during his first year in middle school and the summer after. I was interested enough in how the author dealt with this to plunk down a few dollars to read Julian's tale.
Probably, I am a bit too cynical to read this type of story. Palacio does a fine job of explaining why Julian is the way he is and she gives his whole family a way to change their attitude. I am grateful, although for me this only happens in novels - not real life.
For the intended audience of Wonder, and The Julian Chapter, I am very glad that Palacio wrote this book. It is good for young adults to consider that people can and do change.
Palacio got asked about Julian and so wrote a novella about what happened to him during his first year in middle school and the summer after. I was interested enough in how the author dealt with this to plunk down a few dollars to read Julian's tale.
Probably, I am a bit too cynical to read this type of story. Palacio does a fine job of explaining why Julian is the way he is and she gives his whole family a way to change their attitude. I am grateful, although for me this only happens in novels - not real life.
For the intended audience of Wonder, and The Julian Chapter, I am very glad that Palacio wrote this book. It is good for young adults to consider that people can and do change.
I can see how this addition can seem forced. I felt like she was trying to justify Julian's behavior and redeem him so he's really not all that bad. The fact that he got these night terrors was a little odd especially as he got older. Sometimes I felt in this and in Wonder she juvenilized the characters a little too much. Perhaps I knew more bc I was always an avid reader or just an observant kid but how does Julian not understand the expression "witch hunt"? He thinks they're literally talking about witches. I guess she wanted to flesh out the character and say there is more to him than just being a bad guy, he has his own demons but the reasoning seemed weak.
All set to not like it in the beginning but it turned out really well in the end.
La historia de Wonder desde el punto de vista del Bully, es un cuento corto y fácil de leer con una historia emotiva detrás.
It was sort of nice to see things from Julian's perspective. Though his parents drove me crazy. It's a sweet mini read.
The whole way through this I wanted to hit Julian. It didn't muster up sympathetic feelings for him at all. It wasn't until his grandmother appeared I really started to enjoy it, which was sadly three quarters in
Julian's parents come around at last to understand their mistakes but it didn't feel like they actually regretted or felt remorse for their behavior.
His mother's actions are claimed as her ways of keeping Julian happy but not taking medical advice when Julian's nightmares started again, photoshopping Auggie out of school album and accusing school management for Julian's mistakes were not in the best interests of Julian. That behavior is what put Julian in the bad side in the first place. But above all, she just switches side within blink of an eye, from being accusatory to letting it go.
His mother's actions are claimed as her ways of keeping Julian happy but not taking medical advice when Julian's nightmares started again, photoshopping Auggie out of school album and accusing school management for Julian's mistakes were not in the best interests of Julian. That behavior is what put Julian in the bad side in the first place. But above all, she just switches side within blink of an eye, from being accusatory to letting it go.
The Julian Chapter was almost a two star review for me.
It's no surprise that Julian is written as a very spoiled and obnoxious character, but his writing was almost unbearable to read at points. While Wonder is categorized as juvenile fiction, reading The Julian Chapter truly felt like reading a children's book.
Fortunately, Grandmere came along and saved the day in a few pages. While I was glad to see Julian's character growth wrap up nicely towards the end, it was unfortunate that his parent's were left as a gray area.
While I do not feel like this is an essential read, it was nice to get Julian's side of the story.
It's no surprise that Julian is written as a very spoiled and obnoxious character, but his writing was almost unbearable to read at points. While Wonder is categorized as juvenile fiction, reading The Julian Chapter truly felt like reading a children's book.
Fortunately, Grandmere came along and saved the day in a few pages. While I was glad to see Julian's character growth wrap up nicely towards the end, it was unfortunate that his parent's were left as a gray area.
While I do not feel like this is an essential read, it was nice to get Julian's side of the story.