Wonder by R.J. Palacio

    

       In her novel, Wonder, Ms. Palacio created a character in August that most kids and adults can identify with, maybe not physically, but emotionally. Most of us have felt unattractive, left out, ignored, the butt of jokes, etc. at sometime in our lives. This was a constant feeling for August.

       August tells his story in first person. In the first chapter August describes himself as ordinary in the fact that he likes to ride his bike, eat ice cream, and feel ordinary.  He then goes on to say, “But … ordinary kids don’t make other ordinary kids run away screaming in playgrounds.”  He says later, “I won’t describe what I look like.  Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.”

       Because of his physical condition from the time of birth, August was unable to attend school. He was home schooled instead.  When he was in fifth grade, his mother decided it is time for him to break into the real world of children, the school classroom filled with, “ordinary” kids.  It was a terrifying challenge for August, but off to school he went.

        The academics was a piece of cake for the most part.  The social encounters were many and truly mountainous. We sometimes judge a book by its cover.  Regrettably, we often judge a person by their appearance. And so it was with August.

        

 

                          

Amazing Faith A Walk With Cancer 

          by Paul Paris

This novel is more, much more, than a testimony about faith. This novel
is actually three novels skillfully woven together.  One strand gives the
 reader a picture of Paul's wife and her determination to live life to the fullest in spite of her cancer and the treatments to kill it.  A second
 strand reveals the author's feelings of frustration, helplessness, love,
 and admiration as he fills the role of supporter during the couple's journey through the tangle of treatments, insurance forms, and side
 effects of medications.  A third strand discloses Paul and his wife's
 unshakable foundation of Christian faith and how it comforts and
 strengthens them at this low point in their lives.

Amazing Faith A Walk With Cancer is an inspirational read that changes the reader's perspective of life.