The story is about Auggie Pullman - a boy with two rare facial abnormalities that are so severe it effected his breathing, eating, hearing and seeing. After 27 surgeries through his childhood, the book begins with Auggie entering the 5th grade - and attending for the first time in his life. It is a private school in New York City and the story follows his first year through middle school.
What I liked: I really don't care if the book was realistic or not. It was beautiful. The boy's family. His perspective. His comments were believable and made you think. I liked how the book rotated to the different students' points of view. I thought the book didn't just sensationalize deformities, but really got into the heart of special needs and that blurry line parents have to draw between helping and protecting their child, and letting him or her learn and grow. That line that no one really knows where to draw it - I suppose because each case is different, and there is always such risk - where you accommodate for special needs, but don't create handicaps for the child at the same time or he/she may never learn to handle the difficult things that come along in life and with special needs.
What I didn't like: I sort of wish I hadn't watched the movie preview because I kept picturing Julia Roberts as his mom and Owen Wilson as his dad - and now I have big expectations for how they should act in the film.
What I wish I read: Maybe the parent's point of view. Maybe. I say maybe, because their struggle and love was apparent, but without their point of view - it kept the book light.
Best Lines: "I think there should be a rule that everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their lives."
(I marked that line because I have said this before as well, and it turned out to be Auggie's "precept" that he chose at the end - perfect).
Rating: 5 out of 5
No comments:
Post a Comment