Kennedy+Journal

1/7/15- In my opinion, I think that Auggie makes a big deal about birthday parties, for he probably believes that the reason he wasn't invited was because he was different. For that reason, I don't think that he makes too big of a deal: since every time he is not invited he probably thinks that they don't want him there. I have never been in that particular situation before, but I can tell that it must feel like being stabbed in the back. The one situation that I have been in is that my friend was moving and she said that we would always find ways to see each other; but ever since then she has never invited me to her birthday parties, never texted me, and/or sent me a letter. I have been dealing with this for the last five years, and I can tell you that it hurts to not being invited to birthday parties that you expect to be. To close out this journal entry, I would like to share a link on a man and his remarkable reaction to a //different// man. That man said that he had never been touched for a long time until that swift moment. Here is the link to a breath taking kindness action, and a interview with the //different// man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYBHGKRQubo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8mtCpdMR8o

1/9/15- From the parent prospective, I believe that Mom is more scared than Auggie because Auggie will be with only kids for the next thirty minutes. She probably wanted the tour to be either fifteen minutes or she would chaperone it. I personally believe that she thinks that the kids, during the tour, will beat him up/bully him. Despite the fact that this is Auggie's problem, I believe that Mom doesn't want to face it. As well as that Mom got Auggie to just barely meet Mr. Tushman, and she doesn't want anything to ruin Auggie's decision on going to school. For these reasons, I believe that Mom is much more scared than Auggie.

1/12/15- I feel that the tour went pretty well, except for Julian's mean comments. Personally, I believe that Charlotte and Jack Will were reacting very well to Auggie, but Julian, on the other hand, was a hot mess. I think that he should not have not been a tour guide because of his interrogating, intimidating personality. Jack Will and Charlotte were helpful on calming down Julian and pushing Auggie out of his comfort zone. This tour helped Auggie picture what actual school would be like, and I think he liked what he was picturing in his head. This tour helped Auggie want to have other people in his everyday life, besides his parents and Via.

1/12/15- It surprises me the most that after that tour of being tormented by Julian that Auggie is somewhat happy. I personally believe that Auggie wants/thinks that he will be friends with Charlotte and Jack Will. We probably feels very confident in himself because he was treated like a normal boy, for the most part. It surprised me that Auggie finally had the choice of not going to school and he declined it. Because of Charlotte and Jack Will, I believe that is what shockingly made Auggie want to go to school even though his mother said he didn't have to.

1/16/15-Jack's actions/words made me want to bleed and scream! He really had Auggie fooled and that was pitiful. Jack Will led Auggie on and actually made Auggie feel normal and wanted; but it was all a lie. One of the reasons, after the tour, that Auggie wanted to go to school was Jack Will. Jack Will seemed like an upstander to Auggie; but after those atrocious comments, I think Jack Will is the Julian kind.

1/16/15-If anyone could change Auggie's mind about not going back to school; it would be Summer. Summer, so far, has been Auggie's real friend that doesn't care what others might think about her hanging out with Auggie. I would go back and prove that I don't need a person like Jack Will. Honestly, I would maybe even confront Jack Will and remind him about what he said. Personally, I wouldn't tell anyone, especially if he has parents like mine, because that is so personal that I wouldn't want anyone to interfere and make it worse. Obviously, Auggie is a strong kid, which means he should fight (go back/face school).

1/16/15-From reading Part One, I have been able to learn that people aren't always what they seem to be. Such as, Julian has the teachers fooled but not Auggie. As well as Julian. He fooled Auggie big time! Part one has also taught me that there are those people in the world that don't care what others think (Summer). While gathering my thoughts, I am able to conclude that there are two types of people in this world. Those who fake--or as Auggie might say have a shiny smile-- and those who are genuine--like Summer. I would love to share the message kindness to world. The definition of kindness is "The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate" and I think that it is hard to acquire that trait.

1/26/15- When reading page 83, Via, or should I say Olivia, mentions that the galaxy is changing. I believe that she is referring to the fact that Auggie is now starting to go out of his comfort zone. Since Auggie is going to school, Via is starting to gain more attention. She also doesn't have to explain Auggie to her friends every time her mother had to bring him to school (because Auggie goes to school).This whole change of lifestyle has benefited and hindered Via and her family.

1/26/15- I believe that Via is hinting that, after her grandmother died, the secret of Grans liking Via the most is haunting her. She probably always thinks about it because Grans was really the only one who gave Via her full attention.Via, for once, had someone who always was the plants around her, but then the solar system crashed; and now the plants are destroyed. Via misses and always thinks about Gran and her secret. For these reasons, Gran and her secret are like a blanket to Via.

2/2/15- If I were in Summer's shoes, I would have probably left the party. The reason is because I am very indecisive and it would be hard to choose between Auggie or Julian and the popular group. Summer knows about how much Auggie has been tormented by Julian, and she also knows of how great it must feel of being in the popular group. Summer realized that if she stayed at that party; she would eventually have to face Julian and make a hasty decision. I would personally stay with Auggie because I would never want to be around kids like Julian. Honestly, I would need at least a night's worth to think about it. In this situation, I believe Summer did what I would have done, but it doesn't solve the fact that she will have to face this fear at school...

2/9/15- The War now has official sides. Where do you see yourself in this war and why?

2/9/15-What can I say, I am very surprised by reading the emails in this chapter. From reading Melissa'a email to Mr. Tushman, I have learned that she is a very vicious and cruel person. Melissa is one of those parents who thinks that their kid is the best and that he or her is never wrong. When really, Julian and his family are wrong for being prejudice about Auggie. For her to use Auggie as an excuse for Julian's grades and behavior, that is pitiful. I have also had the pleasure of learning that Mr. Tushman is much more professional than I thought he would be; since he wears Adidas. He gracefully made Mrs. Albans shut her mouth and eat the words she said about Auggie. He basically told Melissa that she was wrong and to stop blaming every bad incident on Auggie. In conclusion, both characters surprised me in good and bad ways.

2/9/15- Would I have forgiven Jack? Hmmm... Well, I am a very stubborn person, and if I were Auggie, I would have still forgiven Jack right away. Auggie could just hear how sincere Jack was being, and it was so hard to say no. To be empathetic, I would say those types of comments if I were under the influence of Julian. I personally believe that Auggie knew or had some idea of why Jack punched Julian. That was the reason Auggie realized that Jack never meant what he said, and he was his //normal// friend.

2/9/15- I would probably see myself on Jack's side. Why, because if I were going to Beecher Prep, I would know Jack wasn't like that. I would know that Julian is a mean kid from all of his mean comments about Auggie. I would never ever be on Julian's side because that would prove that I would want to be popular and mean rather than be nice and not popular. For some reason, in all wars or games I always root for the underdogs so...GO JACK!

2/19/15- This has probably been one of the toughest journal entries I have had to answer. In my opinion, I think that Auggie and Jack should not tell anyone about the notes because more bad things can occur than good. Such as Auggie leaving school, Jack never being trusted with secrets and being bullied about him being a snitch, Mr. Tushman may uncover why Jack punched Julian, Mr. Tushman may also realize that Jack at sometime bullied Auggie, and the one we all hate which is our parents getting way to involved. Another part of my decision is that Julian is already losing his army (friends) because of his ridiculous lies, so soon everyone will make Julian stop his antics.This is just my decision, but I am sure that their are multiple different answers and reasons. I wonder... what will happen?

2/23/15- During the reading of Wonder, I have learned the true and heartfelt meaning of family. Auggie's family isn't just blood related; it is a gathering of outstanding people that make a family. When reading Wonder, I have learned that the Pullmans make Justin and Miranda feel wanted and like they are family. Some examples of the Pullman theory are when Miranda would always be at there house and would be almost a big sister to Auggie and a sister to Via. The fact that Miranda keeps Auggie's photo in her wallet and has the courage and is proud to tell people that Auggie is her brother is remarkable. More instances are that Justin says that he always feels welcome when at their house. The Pullmans are a very experienced and collected family that can make anyone feel like they are wanted and at home. Besides the family I have now, I would be grateful to be part of the Pullmans.