Sunday, November 26, 2017

Wonder

I read the book Wonder with a class I was teaching last year. I really liked it and thought it was a good book to read with Ayden Jane this summer as she was changing schools and some of the social chords might ring true. Her class is also reading it currently so it has all worked out nicely!

The movie came out last weekend and I promised to take Ayden Jane. Gary read a few chapters with her through the summer and loves movies so he wanted us to go when he could come. Mckenna has not had a chance to read it yet, but it is on her list. She was excited to come along with us so we make it a Thanksgiving Day family movie time.

So we sat there together. Ayden Jane super excited and wanting to talk through the movie... as usual. Mckenna with a vague idea of what it was about. Gary expecting a sweet feel good movie that champions kids who overcome challenges. Me, wondering how the book will play out on the big screen.

I'll start with Gary. Yep, he is the family crier as it comes to movies and he didn't let us down. Ayden Jane loved it but Daisy dying really hit her hard. I think she also totally grasped the "Via" piece. She has been talking about how much Mckenna loved herr and helped her and played with her and was her best friend when she was little. I think she has morphed all that Kayla, Noah and Mckenna meant to her and, for know, has it all placed on Mckenna. All in a good way. It is super sweet. Seeing the charatcter and hearing her talk about what it was like to be Auggie's big sister is such an honest, yet positive way was so great for her. She just 'got it'.

The Via part hit Mckenna HARD. She said after how accurate the character was. The way they showed how Via loved Auggie and totally understood he needed so much. Wanted only the best for him, but also felt as though she couldn't need anything... "Scary how accurate" were her words.

As for me? Well, I was prepared, having read the book 3 times now. The parts that were so true were Auggie's mom - putting her life on hold - but that not really being a bad thing. Just a truth. I agree. Via's part ... played out in Mckenna's life. Not sure about Noah and Kayla. And the Dad being the glue in a way. Supporting everyone. Also, his crazy attachement to the dog. It's going to rough when our Sadie dies. OH!! And Mckenna and I had to laugh at the part when Auggie brings Jack Will home and sort of announces him as his friend. The look of shock/excitement and wanting to cheer but holding your breath at the same time. We totally get that!

All in all, it's a great representation of the type of things that go on in a family that has a child with a big medical condition. Everyone plays their part. 

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