5 Conversations to Have with Nieces and Nephews After "Wonder"
By Betsy Bozdech, Common Sense Media
November 27, 2017
Savvy Aunties and their nieces and nephews can talk about everything from empathy to peer pressure and bullying.
Based on R. J. Palacio's award-winning novel of the same name, Wonder tells the story of Auggie Pullman (Jacob Tremblay), a young boy with a genetic facial difference who attends school for the first time. It has scenes of bullying and intense emotions, but it's also full of positive messages about choosing kindness, appreciating everyone for who they are (rather than what they look like), and true friendship; empathy and perseverance are also strong themes. All of this means there's plenty for families to talk about after watching this Common Sense Seal-honored film. Try these discussion questions with your nieces and nephews:
- Families can talk about how the other kids react to Auggie in Wonder. What do they learn about him over the course of the movie? What do you think you'd do in their position?
- How does being bullied affect Auggie? How did you feel about Julian by the time the movie was over? What role does peer pressure play in some of the bullying? How would you handle the situation that Jack Will faces?
- How does the story show the importance of empathy and perseverance? Why are those important character strengths?
- If you've read the book, how do you think the movie compares? Which parts were the same? Which were different?
- How do you think this story might be different if the characters weren't, in general, so privileged? What advantages does Auggie have based on his background?
Originally published at CommonSenseMedia.org on 10/27/17