Auggie's Resilience and Middle School Vocabulary

Jack and Jamie

"You are a wonder, Auggie; you are a wonder," Auggie's mom whispers in his ear. "You really are a wonder, Auggie. You are a wonder." When she does, she's marveling at how beautifully August has adapted to middle school despite having had a year full of struggle and suffering. He has learned to fight his own battles. He has earned friendship and admiration from people who at first couldn't even handle the idea of accidentally brushing against him. And most importantly, he has accomplished everything simply by being himself.

Vocabulary and Example Sentences

• Wiped: He wiped the tears from his eyes.
• Wink: She winked at me to let me know she understood.
• Blow something up: The wind blew dust in my eyes.
• Mean: Julian was very mean to Auggie.
• Hesitate: I hesitated when she asked if I really loved her.
• Giddy: She felt giddy in the ship because of the waves.
• Bummed: Summer was bummed when she arrived at the party.
• Whine: Auggie whined because he didn’t want to go to school at first.
• Crack up: Jack sometimes cracks up with Julian because he’s funny.
• What the heck: "What the heck have you just said?"
• Up to no good: He certainly looked as if he was up to no good.
• Hang-ups: I have hang-ups about going around Barcelona at night.
• Messed up: Jack is messed up because he’s angry with Auggie.
• Yuck: Yuck! This is disgusting.
• Crappy: Jack's sled is crappy because he doesn’t have money to buy a modern one.
• Freakin': Auggie is freakin' angry with Jack.
• Smirk: Julian smirked at Auggie.
• Clean slate: Jack told August to start with a clean slate and return to being friends.
• Take something for granted: Jack takes Auggie’s annoyance for granted.
• A wake-up call: Julian received a wake-up call at 9 o'clock.
• Acknowledge: Jack acknowledged talking badly about Auggie to his face.
• Recess: During recess, Jack goes with Summer and Auggie.
• Put something off: Julian was putting the science project off because he didn't want to do it.
• Gig: Via’s boyfriend is in a music band and has gigs.
• Lame: Justin thinks that the science project is lame.
• Fluke: I got the job by a fluke.
• Spry: He is pretty spry for a man of his age.
• Dork: The boys in Jack’s class are very dorky because they laugh about him.
• Drizzle: It drizzled all day.
• Cringe: I cringed at the thought of having to confront her again.
• Flunk: You are in danger of flunking.