We will be reading the book "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio during the first semester of Sixth grade. A beautiful story about a boy with a facial deformity going to school for the first time, Wonder will open up our class to discussions of empathy and what it means to be a hero in middle school. 

A large majority of my students (about 99%) are from economically disadvantaged households, and many do not have ANY books at home. I believe it's important to expose kids to great stories to learn from - to both learn to read and to learn to be a compassionate human being. I have seen acts of bravery in my students - from standing up for a special needs student being picked on to resisting the lure of gang life in a tough community. I want to provide good examples of character and acts of bravery from early on in middle school to encourage these types of courageous actions in these wonderful young people.

The $300 will be used to purchase a class set (35 copies) of the book "Wonder" to read during class with my 6 period of 135 students. The books cost $8.41 per copy. Learn more about this wonderful book here: http://www.amazon.com/Wonder-R-J-Palacio/dp/0375869026

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