Amy+A

When Auggie had gone through with the month, even though it had been rough, I felt he had adjusted fine. Jack and Auggie have become better, even best, friends. The two are what we defined as "ordinary", giggling and getting in trouble for talking. I feel good about the rest of the year, and I am genuinely hoping the rest of the year will be smooth for Auggie with Jack by his side. I am also happy with his friendship with Summer, who seems very friendly and like the kind of person who is not afraid to do what is right.

2/4/16 I was shocked to hear the things that Jack had said to Auggie, but I don't know what to believe. I think that Jack does still care about Auggie and that what he said to Julian was a lie. I want to believe that. I think Jack Will simply wanted to be "cool" or "popular", and I know he wouldn't have said what he did if he knew Auggie was around. With that said, I was disappointed that Auggie did not confront Jack, or even speak to him, because that may have made him feel better. I also think that if he spoke to his parents, he would feel less pressured and that he could re-gain his confidence and get back into the game. I think Auggie just needs to talk to someone. He has recently made friends with Summer, who is a very nice and open person who I feel could help Auggie a lot. If he could talk to someone, they could help him, and he would be helping himself. Auggie is a strong kid, but even the strongest people need to talk and blow off steam before they can make a life-changing decision rationally. Getting a 360 degree view is impossible when you only see the negative side, and talking is psycologically better for Auggie. Auggie's world is filled with friends and family who would be happy to talk to him and support him.

2/4/16 I would want to jump into the book and ask Via the following questions, older sister to older sister.

1. How does she feel when Auggie gets all this attention, all this love, and all this affection? How does she not get upset?

2. Did Isabel Pullman put this much effort and worry into Via's first year of middle school, and if not, does Via understand or is she upset?

3. What is going in her first year of high school? I would ask her this not because I care much at this point, but because I want her to have someone to ask her that.

2/9/16 What surprised me most about Via was her patience with her younger brother. I kind of wonder if she would be as calm, understanding, and cool if Auggie was normal, and was not born with a defect. I am the most impatient and rude older sister there is, which is probably why I'm so fascinated by the fact that Via does not care that her brother is clearly getting more attention than her. It is purely admirable how independent she has taught herself to be, but I also wonder why she can't ask her parents for help. They may forget that she also needs help at times, but I'm sure they would help her if she asked.

2/9/16 When Auggie describes his Halloween, we almost forget Via is even there. When Via describes her version of the day, however, It's like she can't forget that Auggie is there, and no one else in her world can either. Auggie has a very hard and painful Halloween because of some middle school drama. Via, however, has a lot of pain attached to that day because of her gran's death. She and Auggie both had tough days on that day, but for different reasons. On that night, Via convinces Auggie to stay in school, and gives him the courage to go back. Via, however, does not talk to anyone about her problems with friends at school, and as always, holds it in.

2/16/16 I loved the Justin chapter, because Justin is the normal and relatable character. He isn't the one with a very different face and who deals with bullying, he isn't the amazingly patient sister, he isn't the super loyal friend who punched the most popular boy in school. He's just a guy with a crush on a girl, and that makes him relatable to us. We trust his perspective. He also interacts with the Pullman family more than Jack and Summer, which helps us realize how close they are as a family. His comparison to his family makes the Pullman family's love seem even stronger, and makes it twice as meaningful. Justin is also one of the few characters who cares about Via more than he does Auggie, although he thought Auggie was cool. I love how his "galaxy" (as Via would say) evolves with Via as the sun, not August. That aspect of him gives us a break from always worrying about August. Justin also gave us an insight on Via's life that she never would have been comfortable sharing with other characters. Justin's chapter cleared up my questions about Via and changed my perspective on many different characters.

2/18/16 Miranda had changed drastically from middle school to high school. This drove one of her best friend away, who was almost the same as she had always been. By driving Via away, she had also driven Via's parents and brother away, whom she had always enjoyed. After the play, however, for the first time in a long time, she went back to Via's house with her parents and was happy to be Via's friend again. She also was proud how close she was to Auggie and was glad to hang out with him again.

2/23/16 After the 5th grade trip, when Auggie goes to school, he notices what he calls a "seismic shift". Before the trip he had always been ignored, but after this "fight" many people who used to walk to the other side of the stairs to avoid August were greeting Auggie and high-fiving him. He was not only not hated, but he was liked. Even the older kids, and the people who were once too cool to touch him now think he is popular. Another change is that Julian is no longer looked up to, but he is considered "out of the loop". Now Amos is one of the popular kids, and Julian is almost irrelevant. The popularity ladder has turned upside down!


 * Characterization**

- __Protagonist__: Main character; often the good guy (ex: August)

- __Antagonist__: Conflict to story, (ex: Julian)

- __Dynamic__: A character who experiences change through the story. (ex: Maya?)

- __Static__: A character who experiences no or close to no change. (ex: Summer)

- __Direct characterization:__ When the author gives us clear wording to make a point about a character.

- __Indirect characterization:__ When the author gives us an idea about a character based on actions, but never states it him/her self.


 * Nothing but the Truth:**

5/10/16 I Believe that parents should listen to their children and always investigate matters in the event that someone might be hurt. Because adults are always thinking and under stress, it is scientifically proven that kids are more observing and aware. If a child's story is very nonsensical, I feel that parents do not have to believe it, but they should encourage a young child's growing imagination (to an extent). They should, however always be sure that their kids and themselves are safe.

5/10/16 If a rule does not make sense to a child, then I would hope that the kid is in an environment where he or she may ask a teacher. The rules are there for a reason, and unless the Rule is bias, prejudice, or harmful, a student should follow the rule. Sometimes we all let a couple rules slip by, but there are some rules that should not be broken. If a student does not have the judgement to decide which is which and set boundaries, then they should follow every rule for the safety of themselves and everyone.