Wonder Chapter 1 (Pages 3-14)

Summary

The script tells the story of August, a 10-year-old boy who feels ordinary despite his extraordinary appearance. He navigates the challenges of being stared at and the desire for a 'normal' face, while his family grapples with the decision to send him to school for the first time. August's journey highlights the complexities of identity, acceptance, and the struggle to fit in.

Takeaways

• 😀 The main character, August, considers himself ordinary despite his physical appearance that makes him stand out.
• 🏠 August's family, including his sister Via and parents, see him as extraordinary, which influences how they interact with him.
• 🏫 August has never attended a traditional school due to his numerous surgeries and health issues, but he is about to start fifth grade.
• 👨‍👧 August's mother homeschools him and was a children's book illustrator, but she hasn't drawn in a long time due to taking care of him and his sister.
• 👦 August has a few close friends, with Christopher being his best friend, but their interactions have decreased as they grow older and Christopher moved away.
• 🎂 August feels left out as some friends no longer invite him to birthday parties, reflecting the changes in their relationships as they grow up.
• 👶 August's birth was unexpected in terms of his physical appearance, leading to a chaotic and humorous scene in the delivery room.
• 🏥 August has undergone 27 surgeries since birth, with the last one being eight months prior to the events of the script, indicating his ongoing health challenges.
• 📚 August's parents are considering sending him to school to learn more than his mother can teach him, particularly in subjects like fractions.
• 🏢 The school August is considering attending is difficult to get into, and his parents have been planning this for a year without telling him until he was accepted.
• 🤔 August is apprehensive about going to school and fears the reactions of his peers, but his parents believe it will be beneficial for him to make friends and learn new things.

Q & A

What is the main character's name and how does he describe himself?

The main character's name is August, often referred to as Auggie. He describes himself as ordinary in many ways, such as eating ice cream, riding his bike, and playing ball, but he also acknowledges that his appearance makes him stand out and not be seen as ordinary by others.

What does Auggie wish for if he found a magic lamp?

Auggie wishes for a normal face that no one would ever notice, allowing him to walk down the street without people staring and then looking away.

How does Auggie's sister, Via, react to people's rude behavior towards him?

Via can get really annoyed when people are rude towards Auggie. For example, she once started yelling at kids in the playground who made noises towards him.

What is the significance of Auggie's upcoming fifth-grade year?

The upcoming fifth-grade year is significant for Auggie because it marks his first time attending a real school, as he has been homeschooled by his mother due to his medical conditions and surgeries.

What was the main reason Auggie did not attend school before fifth grade?

The main reason Auggie did not attend school before was due to his numerous surgeries and medical conditions that made him frequently sick, leading his parents to decide that homeschooling was a better option.

How does Auggie's mother feel about his potential school attendance?

Auggie's mother has mixed feelings. She is concerned about Auggie's ability to deal with the reality of his appearance in a school environment but also acknowledges that he needs to learn more than she can teach him and that it might be good for him to make friends and learn new things.

What is the name of Auggie's best friend and how did their friendship start?

Auggie's best friend is Christopher. Their friendship started when they were babies, and they have known each other ever since.

How does Auggie's father try to make light of the situation regarding the school principal's name?

Auggie's father tries to make light of the situation by joking about the principal's name, Mr. Tushman, and imagining funny scenarios involving it being announced over the loudspeaker or paired with a humorous anecdote about a professor named Miss Butt.

What is the role of Auggie's mother as a former career?

Auggie's mother used to be a children's book illustrator, specializing in drawing fairies and mermaids, but she hasn't drawn much lately due to taking care of Auggie and his sister, Via.

What is the significance of the story about Auggie's birth?

The story about Auggie's birth is significant as it highlights the unexpected challenges the family faced, the medical professionals' initial misjudgments, and the support from a nurse who provided comfort and encouragement to Auggie's mother during a difficult time.

How does Auggie feel about the idea of going to a new school?

Auggie is apprehensive and scared about going to a new school. He is worried that everyone will stare at him because of his appearance and is not sure if he is ready for the change.