Book-a-book of the Month Club discussion

As you begin to read . . . what do you think?

My mom had given this book to my son for Christmas and told us it was a book everyone should read. I have put off reading it because I don't like stories about children being bullied/abused (though I am not sure exactly what happens in this book).
I started reading this today and I am worried about Auggie. I think I am looking at this from a mother's point of view even though it is written from August's point of view. Middle school is not a good time to start school. Kids at that age are not empathetic or understanding at all! He would have had an easier time starting school at a younger age. I hope he finds some good friends.

Vicki - I can see what you are saying. I am very nervous - expecting the worst. In the first few pages everyone is being Shi nice - I know when it is his family, that is real. But, when it is others I am not so sure.

Story and writing is very good, though - interesting right from the start. Just tough subject matter.

It caught my attention pretty quickly. the lady in the book store was telling me how great a book it was, well both ladies actually haha when she herd about the book club she offered to order in multiple copies of books for me monthly...I told her that was very nice of her but I'm the only one in Australia :P but I am off topic haha I don't want to say much as i have finished the book but as I said I was into it from the start. I did have to look up the school years to kind of understand.

Alex wrote: " I did have to look up the school years to kind of understand"

Ah! There is that pesky difference in school year between US and Australia again. I just take the way the school year (and seasons) are in the US for granted. Now, though, it is more and more common for year round school here. My kids are still too young for school, but it will be interesting to see how much different it is for them than it was for me.

haha I meant I had no idea how old kids in middle school were. we have primary which is kindy to year 6 and high school which is year 7-12

Alex wrote: "haha I meant I had no idea how old kids in middle school were. we have primary which is kindy to year 6 and high school which is year 7-12"

Ha! Oops! That is an interesting point. I have seen that before where what we refer to as High School (14 to 18 year olds) is refered to as University in some countries. For us, University (or college) is usually 19 and up. I am not sure we even have a well defined middle school age anymore. When I was in middle school it was 6 through 8th grade (10 to 13 year olds). Now, they have intermediate schools, too (5th and 6th grade - 9 and 10 year olds). I think it all just depends on how the school districts are set up. I even think in some cases the intermediate schools were set up because there were too many kids in that middle ground to divide between the elementary and high schools.

Sorry - I guess this is off topic of first impressions . . . it just got me thinking!