Wonder Study Guide: Exploring Themes of Kindness and Acceptance

1. August gets hearing aids in this section. How does he feel about them in the beginning and towards the end of pages in this section?

In the beginning, August didn’t want to wear them, but when the doctor turned them on, he stopped hearing the noise of the ocean that lived inside his head, and he began to hear perfectly. In his ears, there was quiet. In the end, he was very happy to take them.

2. Daisy is August’s dog, who has been sick for a while. Why hasn’t August noticed this?

Because his parents had hidden it from him; they didn’t want to worry him. She had been throwing up, and his mother had taken her to the vet three times in the last two months, but August didn’t know she was sick.

3. Miranda and Via used to be friends. Why did their relationship change?

After being at summer camp, Miranda changed; she was another person. Via didn’t like Miranda's new look or her friends, and Miranda didn’t like Via’s friends either, but she was still the same person. At the institute, they greeted each other, but they stopped being friends.

4. What does Miranda miss about having Via as a friend?

Miranda loved Via’s family very much. Her parents were always very friendly and nice to her. She felt safe with them and also loved August.

5. Miranda pretends to be sick on opening night. In your opinion, why do you think she did that?

First, because no one in her family had gone to see her on opening night, and then when she saw Via’s parents and her brother August sitting in the auditorium, she thought Via would do very well in her role, and her family would be happy to see her act.

6. How does August feel about going on the 5th Grade Nature Retreat?

August was excited but also nervous because he had never slept away from home.

7. Jack and August find themselves in trouble. What is the trouble, and who helps them?

Jack and August were in the dark forest of the camp when some kids from another school bothered them, and when they pointed the flashlight at August’s face, they started to laugh at him. They were not allowed to leave, and Amos, Miles, and Henry appeared to defend them and helped them run away from those older children.

8. August lies to the teachers about not being able to remember the 7th graders’ faces. Why do you think he did this?

To avoid getting them punished. I think August is a very generous person because he accepts and forgives the reaction of people when they see his face for the first time.

9. What animal does August use to represent himself? Do you think it is a good choice?

A duck.

Yes, because he thinks he’s the animal that represents him, and I also think it is very important that August has a sense of humor and can laugh at himself.

10. There is a ceremony at school. What happens at the ceremony that shows a change from the beginning to the end of the school year?

At the graduation ceremony, all of August’s classmates and all the students of the school saw him as one of them. They were all his friends, they appreciated him, they loved him, and they treated him without any difference. Nobody cared about his different face.

11. Mr. Tushman says: “Always try to be kinder than necessary”. What does that mean to you?

It’s not enough to be kind, but each of us must make an effort to give a little more, and in this way, get a better world together. It is important to help others, support a friend, show your friendship, love, and protect those you love… because if you do all these things, you will be a better person.

12. In your opinion, what character shows this the best?

For me, both August and Jack give meaning to this phrase because both have shown between themselves and with everyone else that they have been kinder than necessary with their courage, kindness, friendship… and they have won everyone’s hearts.