Ask Jay Asher & R.J. Palacio - October 23, 2012 discussion

I read Wonder and laughed and cried my way through it. I know this is an elementary level book but I think it is also appropriate at the high school level and beyond, speaking as a parent of a teen and a high school librarian.Do you agree? If so what elements would you highlight when recommending this book to a high school reader?

I'm with you, Gloria. I think the perspectives of Via and Justin are interesting to high school students. When I read it this summer, I asked my 20-year-old daughter to read it. I wanted to hear her opinion. Just like I couldn't, she couldn't put it down until she finished. She loved it.

Gloria wrote: "I read Wonder and laughed and cried my way through it. I know this is an elementary level book but I think it is also appropriate at the high school level and beyond, speaking as a parent of a teen..."

Hi Gloria,
I do think Wonder can be read by any age group. Younger kids can relate to the younger characters, but high schoolers have a lot to relate to in Via and Miranda and Justin, as well as what it's like to be the older brother or sister in a family. There's stuff in there about parents breaking up, about friendship, loyalty, love, and that's all relevent to high school kids. I know parents read it and relate to the parents in the book. I wanted people to be able to see themselves in the characters, to question how they would act under similar circumstances.
Thanks,
RJP

Denise wrote: "I'm with you, Gloria. I think the perspectives of Via and Justin are interesting to high school students. When I read it this summer, I asked my 20-year-old daughter to read it. I wanted to hear he..."

Hi Denise,
That's so nice to hear. I love when people tell me that they shared their book with their kids, or grandkids, or parents. It's anice feeling to know the book is so inter-generational.
Thanks,
RJP

R. J. wrote: "Denise wrote: "I'm with you, Gloria. I think the perspectives of Via and Justin are interesting to high school students. When I read it this summer, I asked my 20-year-old daughter to read it. I wa..."

Thanks for commenting back, RJP! I should have realized you'd be reading these comments, and then I would have said more. Not only did I share it with my daughter, but I've also read it aloud to all my 7th and 8th graders already this year. I've started a check-out trend at our local library because I shared it with a retired librarian, who is sharing it with everyone too.

We also added it to the high school and junior high Book Bash list, which is our local Battle of the Books program. Many grade 6-12 students in Northwest Iowa will be introduced to Wonder too.

Thanks for an awesome book!
Denise