Explore the Wonder of Summer Reading

Wonder by R.J. Palacio (RL 4.8).  My name is August.  I won’t describe what I look like.  Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.... Ten-year-old Auggie Pullman, born with severe facial deformities, is venturing from the isolated safety of home schooling to enter fifth grade at Beecher Prep in Manhattan.  

Auggie wants nothing more than to be treated like an ordinary kid.  Auggie’s classmates, however, can’t get past his unusual appearance, and he endures taunting, ridicule, fear, and bewilderment at his new school.

Ethan and Amari recommend Wonder

At first, Wonder is told from Auggie’s point of view, but then the story shifts to include his classmates, his sister and her boyfriend, and others.  
Different perspectives come together to create a page-turning portrayal of a community’s realistic struggle toward  compassion and acceptance-- and what it means to be "different."
 
Check out a book commercial, inspired by Wonder and created by Lafayette students:

Mrs. Badian with Wonder

Lafayette speech teacher Mrs. Badian enjoys reading poolside during the summer.  She recommends Wonder and reports, “We read this book out loud as a family activity.  We related to each character in the book and discussed how we would be kind to anyone who is different.”  

Wonder Poster by Melanie and Ezra

Wonderful Biography: Who Was Helen Keller? by Gare Thompson (RL 4.1).  This title from the popular Who Was? series tells Helen Keller's life story, describing her childhood loss of sight and hearing, her education and learning of language skills with the help of Annie Sullivan, and her efforts to help others with disabilities.  

 

Helen Keller by Layla C: "This book was great, but I think Helen Keller was great-er!"

Wonderful Hoops: The Million Dollar Shot by Dan Gutman (RL 4.6).  Eleven-year-old Eddie has a chance to win a million dollars!  All he has to do is sink a foul shot at the National Basketball Association finals.  Jack A. recommends the book to friends who like the sport of basketball and the excitement of competition.

 The Million Dollar Shot by Tamer F.