Chapter 8: Jack Will, Julian, and Charlotte
Mr. T and “I pity the fool”
In the book
When Auggie first meets Mr. Tushman, he asks whether kids call him “Mr. T.” Mr. Tushman answers by doing an impression in a tough-guy voice. Auggie has no idea what he’s talking about.
The background
Mr. T was a famous actor in the 1980s, known for his mohawk, gold chains, and the line “I pity the fool!” He played Clubber Lang in Rocky III and B.A. Baracus on the TV show The A-Team.
Why it matters
Mr. Tushman uses a joke to help a nervous new student relax. The joke falls flat because it’s from Mr. Tushman’s generation, not Auggie’s.
Talk about it
Why do adults often use humor when meeting someone who seems nervous? Does it usually work?
Chapter 16: Lamb to the Slaughter
The Padawan braid
In the book
On the first day of school, Julian asks Auggie about the tiny braid in the back of his hair and whether it’s a “Padawan thing.” Julian then explains to Ms. Petosa what a Padawan is.
The background
In Star Wars, a Padawan is a young Jedi in training who learns from a Jedi Master. Padawans wear a thin braid until they finish their training and become Jedi Knights.
Why it matters
The braid shows how much Star Wars means to Auggie. Pay attention to how Julian asks the question. Is he being friendly, or is he showing off?
Talk about it
Watch for what happens to Auggie’s braid later in the book. What might it mean when a character changes something about his appearance?
Chapter 21: Padawan
Auggie Doggie and Doggie Daddy
In the book
Auggie’s dad calls him “Auggie Doggie,” and Auggie answers with “dear ol’ Dad.” The nicknames come from an old cartoon his dad bought for him when Auggie was little. They watched it together often, especially during hospital stays.
The background
Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy is a Hanna-Barbera cartoon from 1959 about a puppy and his proud, loving dachshund father.
Why it matters
The nicknames show the close, playful bond between Auggie and his dad. The cartoon was a comfort during some of the hardest times in Auggie’s life.
Talk about it
Does your family have nicknames or inside jokes? How can routines like these help during difficult times?
Chapter 22: Wake Me Up When September Ends
Wookiees (Chewbacca)
In the book
Auggie admits that if a Wookiee suddenly started going to his school, he’d be curious and would probably stare too. Staring out of curiosity isn’t the same thing as being mean.
The background
Wookiees are a tall, furry species from Star Wars. The most famous Wookiee is Chewbacca, Han Solo’s co-pilot. The chapter title comes from a 2005 song by the band Green Day.
Why it matters
Instead of getting angry at people who stare, Auggie uses the Wookiee example to understand why they do it. This shows a lot of empathy and self-awareness.
Talk about it
What’s the difference between curious staring and unkind staring? How can you tell them apart?
Chapter 26
Boba Fett
In the book
When Summer asks what he’s going to be for Halloween, Auggie answers right away: Boba Fett. He’s been planning it for a year.
The background
Boba Fett is a bounty hunter in Star Wars. He wears full armor and a helmet that covers his entire face.
Why it matters
Halloween is Auggie’s favorite holiday because everyone wears a mask. In costume, nobody stares at him. Notice which costume he actually wears on Halloween and why he changes his mind.
Talk about it
Why does Halloween feel so freeing for Auggie compared to a regular school day?
Chapter 28: The Cheese Touch
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: the Cheese Touch
In the book
Auggie notices that classmates avoid touching him and compares it to the Cheese Touch. Later, in Part 3, Summer finds out the kids have a name for this “game”: the Plague.
The background
In Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid, a moldy slice of cheese sits on the playground. Anyone who touches it gets the “Cheese Touch” and is avoided until they pass it on.
Why it matters
Auggie uses a funny book to describe something that isn’t funny at all. Comparing himself to moldy cheese shows how hurtful the game is.
Talk about it
How does a “game” like this affect a whole school? What could one student do to stop it?
Chapter 30: The Bleeding Scream
Darth Sidious, shrunken heads, and orcs
In the book
Wearing a costume nobody recognizes, Auggie overhears boys in his class comparing his face to Darth Sidious, a shrunken head, and an orc from The Lord of the Rings. One of the boys is someone Auggie thought was his friend.
The background
Darth Sidious (Emperor Palpatine) is the main villain of Star Wars. His face becomes scarred and twisted by the dark side. Orcs and Uruk-hai are monstrous soldiers in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.
Why it matters
Every comparison is to a villain or monster. This is one of the most painful moments in the book, and it changes Auggie’s whole year.
Talk about it
Why might someone say hurtful things about a friend just to fit in with a group? Has peer pressure ever changed what you said?