Wonder by R. J. Palacio – Part 6

August

Hearing aids, a Star Wars side character, and a play about noticing life while you’re living it.

Auggie takes over the story again in Part 6. He faces new challenges, including hearing aids and a growing “war” at school, and he uses humor and Star Wars to get through them.

Keep your copy of Wonder open. Each section below tells you where to look, so you can read the passage in the book before watching the video.

Chapter 83: The Auggie Doll

Kidz Bop commercials

In the book

Auggie and Jack invent a gross, made-up girl named Beulah who has a crush on Julian. They joke that Julian looks and acts like someone in a Kidz Bop commercial.

The background

Kidz Bop is a music series of popular songs re-recorded by kids. Its TV commercials show neat, smiling kids singing and dancing with lots of energy.

Why it matters

The joke pokes fun at Julian’s polished, picture-perfect image. Auggie and Jack are using humor to cope with his bullying.

Talk about it

Why do kids sometimes use jokes to deal with someone who is being mean? Is that always a good idea?

Kidz Bop 2 commercial

Chapter 84: Lobot

Lobot from The Empire Strikes Back

In the book

Auggie needs hearing aids and is upset because the headband that holds them will make him look like Lobot. His audiologist knows exactly who Lobot is and thinks the device is cool.

The background

Lobot is the bald assistant to Lando Calrissian in Cloud City in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980). He wears a silver device around the back of his head that connects his brain to the city’s computers.

Why it matters

Auggie worries the hearing aids will give people one more reason to stare. The audiologist turns a scary medical moment into a Star Wars conversation.

Talk about it

How did the doctor’s Star Wars knowledge help Auggie feel better? How can you connect with someone who is having a hard day?

Lobot’s cyborg headband

Chapter 92

Our Town by Thornton Wilder

In the book

Auggie and his parents go to Via’s school play, Our Town. At the last minute, Via plays the lead role of Emily Webb, and Justin plays the Stage Manager. Auggie is moved by the ending.

The background

Our Town won the Pulitzer Prize in 1938. In the final act, Emily Webb, who has died young, gets to relive one ordinary day, her twelfth birthday. She is heartbroken to realize how little people notice the everyday moments of life while they’re living them.

Why it matters

The play connects to one of the biggest ideas in Wonder: noticing and appreciating the people around us. To find out why Via played Emily instead of Miranda, read Part 7.

See Miranda’s side of the story in Part 7

Talk about it

Emily wishes people noticed ordinary moments more. What is one ordinary moment in your life you’d like to appreciate more?

Our Town: Emily Webb’s goodbye
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