Wonder Questions http://www.shmoop.com/wonder/ What qualities does Auggie's family have that help support him as he struggles to fit in at school? Do you think Auggie ultimately sees himself as ordinary, or extraordinary? Do other people in his life think about this differently? How about his parents? How about Via? How do his friends at school think of him? How about his teachers? Why all the narrators? Why does R.J. Palacio include so many different points of view? What do we learn from different narrators that we wouldn't get from Auggie? Who is your favorite narrator, and why? What role do masks play throughout the story? How do masks help or hurt Auggie? What's the difference between kindness and just being nice, and why does it matter? What does Jack learn through his friendship and betrayal of Auggie? Which characters do you think change the most from the beginning to the end of the story, and why do you think so? How does Auggie overcome his cripp...
From Renee Dastyck
ReplyDeletePunching the Air is a young adult novel written by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam. I like how the story is told through the eyes of Amal Shahid, a talented young Black artist who finds himself wrongfully convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. It was written using lyrical prose and poetic elements.
Amal a high school student who wants to become an artist. However, his dreams are shattered when he is wrongfully accused and convicted of a crime. The text follows Amal's experiences in prison, detailing his emotional turmoil and his struggle to maintain his identity and hope amidst despair.
Throughout his time in incarceration, Amal finds peace in art and poetry, using these forms of expression to navigate his pain and isolation. The story is showing the impact of systemic racism.
This book is not only an engaging read for young adults but also an important commentary on race, identity, and the human spirit. Its lyrical style and heartfelt themes make it a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of contemporary social issues.
Punching the Air is an impactful story co-authored by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam. The story follows Amal Shahid, a Black Muslim teenager wrongfully incarcerated for a crime he did not commit. The narrative, rooted in themes of systemic racism, injustice, and resilience, is a personal yet collective exploration of identity, art, and the struggle for justice. Amal’s journey is framed by his experiences in the juvenile justice system, where he grapples with isolation and despair. Through powerful novel-in-verse conveys his internal battles and the external forces that impose upon and define him. Art and poetry serve as both an escape and a means of self-expression, reflecting his emotional turmoil. The novel is inherently authentic as Salaam’s own experiences as a wrongfully convicted teenager are shared with the reader. This personal connection deepens the story's impact, inviting readers to engage with the urgent realities of systemic injustice. The balance of hope and despair comes together in a message of resilience and the metamorphic power of creativity. Punching the Air is a must-read that resonates with readers of all ages. This novel is a call to action, pushing readers to reflect on their roles in challenging systemic injustices and highlighting the importance of empathy. This relevance makes it particularly valuable for educators, as it opens avenues for discussions about social justice and the significance of art as resistance.
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